The sophisticated city of San Francisco hides a land of secrets and mystery, the Island of Alcatraz. In the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the Alcatraz Island had a tormented history. Ever since November 6, 1850, the island was declared a military reservation. Also known as the Rock, Alcatraz was a military prison from 1859 to1934, a federal penitentiary from 1934 to1963, the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast and an island under American Indian occupation from 1969 to 1971.

What once used to be an isolated prison nobody could escape has now become one of the greatest attractions of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Besides the remnants of the famous prison, the Alcatraz Island offers visitors tide pools, gardens, bird colonies and breathtaking bay views. Over the years, Alcatraz has inspired several successful movies most of us enjoyed watching. We will only mention Escape from Alcatraz and The Rock. But from the real Alcatraz, nobody could escape.

Several great exhibits, such as Prisoners of Age Photography Exhibit and the video exhibit We Hold the Rock are showcased on the 12-acre rocky Alcatraz Island. Come and discover the secrets of the Alcatraz Island.

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