Alcatraz Island is one of the parks’ most popular destinations; daily tours (Alcatraz is open daily except for Christmas and New Year’s day) offer a close-up look at this former federal prison. Visitors to the island can not only explore the remnants of the prison, but ... learn about the Native American occupation of 1969-1971, early military fortifications, and the West Coast's first and oldest operating lighthouse. The island also features gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and spectacular bay views.