City:
San Francisco

State:
California

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Best time to visit:
Spring and Fall

Time needed for trip:
Full day

Description:
Sitting by the dock of the San Francisco bay, right outside of Fisherman's Wharf, you'll find the gateway for several top attractions such as Alcatraz and Angel Island.
Alcatraz Island, considered to be an escape-proof prison from 1933 to 1963, was home to Al Capone and Robert Stroud (the birdman of Alcatraz). Touring the facility can really take you back to what it must have been like for prisoners especially while listening to the audio cassette called "The Rock,? which is told by the inmates. And be sure to leave yourself enough time to walk around the island itself because Alcatraz has become an incredible wildlife sanctuary.
Just north of Alcatraz is Angel Island. Angel Island served as an internment camp during WWII and is now a popular place for walking, hiking, biking, picnics and camping. It is rich in historical significance and provides spectacular views of Marin County, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Both islands are accessible by ferry from Fisherman's Wharf as well as the Embarcadero.