Parks
Parks
Alcatraz Island is the Bay Area's most unique daytrip. In fall 2020, boats were running at 20% capacity to allow for social distancing, giving people plenty of room to roam on the island. Here are photos that capture this unique time on the island, along with the history, gardens, and...
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In this article, we’ll get you set up with some tips to explore Alcatraz like a seasoned park ranger. Visit for those views, for the lush gardens, and the history that ties into present-day social justice movements. Here are some of our insider tips.
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San Francisco
While visiting the biodiverse shorelines of the Presidio, you can’t get much closer to the Golden Gate Bridge than at Marshall’s Beach. This rugged stretch of sand and rocks is a favorite destination for photographers. Even clothing-optional sunbathers are known to frequent on warm days.
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Two closed-off stairwells lead down from the first floor of the Alcatraz Cellhouse to a lower, blocked-off basement level called the Citadel, one of the earliest structures on Alcatraz. Through the digital resources on this page, this site and its history can be observed and interpreted virtually.
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Learn more about the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes and Night Tours . You’ll get access to hidden areas of the island on small tours led by NPS rangers and historical experts from the Parks Conservancy. No two tours are ever the same.
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from NPS
Click on this button to visit the National Parks Service site about accessibility at Alcatraz.
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Learn more about this national park's history
Alcatraz, once an 1850s military fort, is the site of the West Coast’s first lighthouse (since replaced by the current lighthouse) and the birthplace of the Native American “Red Power” movement (sparked by an occupation of Alcatraz from 1969-1971). Gardens, tidepools, nesting birds, and stunning bay views are also among its many attractions.
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The serenity of Muir Woods at dawn is a truly unique experience. Here, Nelson Stubbins leads us on a "virtual" version of the tour.
