San Francisco is the location of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary or United States Penitentiary , Alcatraz Island ( often just referred to as Alcatraz ) was a maximum high-security federal prison on Alcatraz Island , 1.25 mi off the coast of San Francisco , California , which operated from 1934 to 1963 . San Francisco . A popular tourist destination , San Francisco is known for its cool summers , fog , steep rolling hills , eclectic mix of architecture , and landmarks , including the Golden Gate Bridge , cable cars , the former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary , Fisherman 's Wharf , and its Chinatown district .