Alcatraz Island (USA) - Facts for Kids

Basic Information & Location

Alcatraz Island sits in the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay, California, USA, just 1.25 miles (2 km) from the famous city of San Francisco — that’s about the same distance as 18 football fields placed end to end!

Alcatraz Island was named by Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, who called it “La Isla de los Alcatraces” (Island of the Pelicans) because of all the seabirds he saw living there!