From a military fort, to a high-security prison, to a tourist attraction, Alcatraz has become an American icon of infamy.

"The Rock" is just that, large rock in the always cool, windswept San Francisco Bay.

In the middle of the Bay prisoners were not only tormented by constant chill but by fantastic views of the hustle and bustle of two of the country's largest metro areas (San Fran and Oakland).

Click here for a view of San Francisco.