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World most extreme places

San Quentin State Prison, USA

From series “Famous prisons of the world”
Year: 1852.

San Quentin is one of the most notorious and controversial prisons in the United States. Prisoners sentenced to death make up a significant proportion of the criminals held in it. The gas chamber was located in the prison a few years ago. The death sentence was set in motion in it. Lethal injections are being given to inmates at San Quentin Prison after the latest legislation was passed. Evidence of the appalling conditions in which prisoners were held was first made public several years ago. The last inspection of the prison took place in 2005.

San Quentin State Prison, USA It was officially recognized that the conditions of detention of prisoners do not meet generally accepted standards. But this fact did not lead to any positive changes. Another problem of the San Quentin prison is that people of different races are kept in it. Serious conflicts regularly break out between them. San Quentin Prison is the oldest prison in California. It was built in 1852. It is noteworthy that the prisoners who were brought here were the very first to build the prison building.

The territory of the historic prison was strictly guarded for many years. It was almost impossible for outsiders to get on it. Photo reporter Lucy Nicholson is an employee of the Reuters news agency. She managed to get permission to visit the prison and shoot not so long ago. The conditions of the prisoners in the old prison do not meet the standards today. But despite this, many attempts have been made to improve them in recent years.

The world learned about the historic prison in 1993 for the first time. The filming of "Bound by Honor" took place on its territory at this time. Metallica chose the prison for the filming of their new music video for the song St. Anger ten years later. The musicians gave a concert for the prisoners in the same year. Access to the prison is prohibited today. Therefore, curious tourists will have the opportunity to look at it only from afar. The cape of the same name is the location of the prison. Tourists can see its territory during boat trips. Next - Attica Correctional Facility


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Attica Correctional Facility, USA Attica Correctional Facility, USA

San Quentin State Prison - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'ATM Machine at Cooper Alley Salon' located in 1.71 km ( check the route on the map).
Car rental office: 'Budget Car Rental' is located in 1.95 km ( on the map).
Fuel station: 'Trans-Tec Services' in 1.88 km
Supermarket: 'Trader Joe's' in 2.01 km
Parking: '2500 Larkspur Landing Circle Parking' in 1.72 km
Apotheek: 'Golden Gate Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy' in 1.61 km
Police station: 'Central Marin Police Authority' in 3.34 km
Cafe/restaurant: 'The Melting Pot' in 1.37 km
Railway station: 'SMART San Rafael Station' in 4.58 km

Nearest airports:
 »  Commodore Center Airport KJM - in 6 km
 »  Oakland International Airport OAK - in 35 km
 »  San Francisco Airport SFO - in 37 km
 »  Hayward Executive Airport HWD - in 45 km
 »  San Carlos Airport SQL - in 51 km
 Cities nearby

Best hotels near San Quentin State Prison

Extended Stay America - San Rafael - Francisco Blvd. East

Located in 1 km from San Quentin State Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 112
Every kitchen at Extended Stay America - San Rafael is equipped with a stove , microwave and a fridge. The hotel also provides guests with laundry … More: photo, rates and booking
North Bay Inn

Located in 2 km from San Quentin State Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 19
A flat-screen TV with cable is featured in all rooms at North Bay Inn. Each elegant room includes tea and coffee-making facilities and a work desk. A … More: photo, rates and booking
Villa Inn

Located in 5 km from San Quentin State Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 60
A satellite TV is featured in each air-conditioned room at Villa Inn. Guest rooms include a seating area, a microwave, a refrigerator and ironing … More: photo, rates and booking
America's Best Value Inn and Suites Mill Valley

Located in 6 km from San Quentin State Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 15
A seating area with a sofa is furnished in all rooms at America's Best Value Inn and Suites Mill Valley. A clock radio and a hairdryer are also … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

Prison on Alcatraz
13 km - Prison on Alcatraz
Alcatraz is considered the most famous prison in the United States. The island of the same name is the place of its location. It is located just off the coast of San Francisco. The building in which the prison is located was originally built as a military fort. It has …
Lombard Street
16 km - Lombard Street
One of the most famous streets in the world, Lombard Street is located in San Francisco. This street is officially considered the most crooked place in the world. It features a complicated zigzag shape. This unusual form of the street, where riding vehicles is allowed, …
Contemporary Jewish Museum
18 km - Contemporary Jewish Museum
Contemporary Jewish Museum is located in San Francisco. It also has an unofficial name – "L'Chaim“(“to life!”). A large Jewish diaspora has lived in the city for many years. Outstanding writers, artists, and other artists are its representatives. The popular …
San Francisco
19 km - San Francisco
Many modern tourists associate the city of San Francisco in the state of California with magnificent skyscrapers, expensive hotels and restaurants, as well as huge shopping centers. Only a few know how magical and picturesque the historic district of San Francisco is. …
Bunker Devil
40 km - Bunker Devil
On the coast of San Mateo County in California is a bunker with a cruel name Devil's Slide. The bunker was named in honour of the rock of the same name. The secret object was built on the coast in 1930. Originally, it served as a center of military technology …
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
62 km - SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
The world-famous SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is located in the USA. It is known to many people for its outstanding features. The purpose of this laboratory is diverse research in the field of elementary particle physics. In particular, research on solid-state …

Top destination around San Quentin State Prison - San Francisco

Painted Lady architectural complex lies in the historic district of San Francisco. This is the title of several Victorian villas located next to each other and that managed to survive during the devastating earthquake of 1906. The historical buildings own this name due to the bright color of the facades. Such an exterior was acquired during the reconstruction in 1963.
Amateurs of hiking should definitely visit Chinatown quarter. This is real China in miniature, which will please with unusual architecture, specialized restaurants, and shops with goods from China. This area began to emerge in the middle of the 19th century. Refugees from China built their homes here. During the existence, it retained many interesting architectural monuments. Now, Chinatown is known for its numerous noteworthy cultural centers and museums.

The most unusual religious landmark of San Francisco is Grace Cathedral. Its construction began in 1906 and was completed in the second half of the 20th century. Nevertheless, it is difficult to imagine that the building is new. The Cathedral is created in the best manner of the past. Its interior is a true example of the Neo-Gothic style. Visitors can appreciate beautiful frescoes and stained glass windows, as well as decor elements made of bronze.
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