Barker Beach, Beach in San Francisco, US.

Barker Beach is a small beach and rocky coastal area on the west side of Alcatraz Island, in San Francisco Bay, south of the long two-story New Industries Building. It is reached only within the island's federal penitentiary site, not from the San Francisco mainland.

Barker Beach is named for Arthur "Doc" Barker, one of five inmates who broke out of D-Block on Alcatraz in the foggy early hours of Friday, January 13, 1939. The men climbed through a window whose bars had been cut in advance and camouflaged with paint and putty, then reached the water's edge to look for driftwood to build a raft. Guards opened fire; Barker was hit in the head and died hours later, and the National Park Service later gave the beach his name.

The beach carries the name of Arthur "Doc" Barker, one of five D-Block inmates who fled toward the water here on January 13, 1939; the National Park Service later named the cove after him. Visitors reach it on ranger-led tours of the island, where the 1939 escape and the shots fired on this shore are recounted.

Barker Beach lies on Alcatraz Island, reached only by the park ferry from Pier 33 in San Francisco; the island is not open for independent wandering. The beach sits on the west side, south of the two-story New Industries Building, and is seen from the island's perimeter path rather than used for landing or swimming. Morning fog is common, so bring layers.

The beach is named after Arthur "Doc" Barker, one of five inmates who broke out of D-Block on January 13, 1939. The men reached this shore and searched for driftwood to build a raft before guards opened fire; Barker was hit in the head and died hours later. The National Park Service later gave the beach his name.