Alcatraz Island is one of the most popular destinations in San Francisco, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island cannot only explore the remnants of the prison, but can also learn about the Indian occupation of 1969 - 1971, early military fortifications (the first U.S. fort on the coast), and the West Coast's first (and oldest operating) lighthouirse. These structures and the island's many natural features - gardens, tide pools, bd colonies, and bay views beyond compare.