Alcatraz, best known for the historic federal penitentiary and occupation by the Indians of All Tribes, also has a long tradition of welcoming artists to provoke thought about freedom and incarceration. Starting in mid-July, the National Park Service and Nelson Saiers—artist and math Ph.D.— are opening an installation called Shortening: Making Irrational Rational.

Storms spawned by the El Nino weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean have prompted closures of some areas of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California due to safety concerns.

Your trip to Alcatraz Island might offer more than a look at the famed old prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It just might give you a front-row seat to Great White sharks on the hunt, as was the case recently for passengers waiting to leave dock.

Nightmarish parking conditions might dissuade all but the most resolute from visiting Muir Woods National Monument, but it’s absolutely worth the hassle. Once you leave your rig behind you will disappear into the coolness of the tall trees. Meld with the moss; it’s a great way to spend a fall day. As for parking, help is on the way.