The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County across the Golden Gate strait. Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay was used as a military fort, prison from 1868-1963, and was occupied by Native American activists from 1969-1971. Washington Square is one of the oldest parks in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants and a church. The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football franchise founded in 1946 that plays in Santa Clara but was originally based in San Francisco.