West Coast · California

Alcatraz Island

Historic Half day difficulty: Easy with kids: yes

The island-prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay that held the country's most famous criminals, now turned into a museum. You get there by ferry and tour the cells with an audio guide narrated by former guards and inmates.

The pop wink

Alcatraz is the setting of famous movies like «The Rock» and «Escape from Alcatraz», about the attempts to flee the island. Your child can walk through the real cells where those stories were set.

With kids

Cross by ferry watching the city and the bridge shrink behind you
Step into a real cell and feel how small it is
Listen to the audio guide narrated by real guards and inmates
Look for the spot of the famous escape attempt through the vent

Accessibility: 8+ years; the prison's history may unsettle the youngest ones

With family

Explore the whole island, now full of seabirds and gardens
See the city from the island and understand why escape was so hard
Talk about why prisons exist and what justice is
Book ahead: the ferries fill up weeks in advance

Full listing, routes and recommendations at Mi País — Alcatraz Island. ← All destinations