From 1934 to 1963, it was home to such infamous inmates as Al Capone. Today the island is a popular destination for more than one million tourists who annually visit the prison. Visitors arrive via ferry from Fisherman's Wharf. Reservations for tickets are a must. At the Cable Car Barn on Mason Street, visitors can tour a working museum that shows how a cable car system operates.
Admission is free.
Explore this vibrant and colorful neighborhood as you taste some of the best food in San Francisco. Chinatown is a mixture of shops, theaters and markets. Admission is free. Tourists head to Fisherman's Wharf to dine on Dungeness crab, see the sea lions sunning on Pier 39 and shop at The Cannery, a former fruit cannery that is now a mall featuring shops, restaurants and a museum. Fisherman's Wharf is also the place for a fantastic vie of the City by the Bay.