It is the prison that was open as a federal penitentiary from 1934-163 and at one point, housed the famous convicts, Al Capone and George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly. Now, this once infamous prison island is part of the Bay Area’s 80,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Located one and a half miles from Fishermans Wharf, it became notorious for failed escape attempts who were lured by the glittering lights of the city. Take a ferry ride out to the island and see the prison up-close, walk around outside the Cellhouse and the Wardens House and explore the history of the outdoor spaces including Eagle Plaza, the Recreation Yard, and the Rose Garden. Or, perhaps take a tour of the cell house interior where you will see how prisoners lived. Although the last inmates were transferred off the island in 1963, the main prison block with its steel bars, claustrophobic cells, mess hall and library are still structurally intact.