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Vallejo sits at the northeastern corner of San Francisco Bay, where the Napa River meets the Carquinez Strait. It is named for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the Californio leader who offered the land for a new state capital in 1850. Vallejo briefly served as California's capital in 1852 and 1853 before the government moved on, but the town found its future across the river.
In 1854 the U.S. Navy founded Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the first permanent naval base on the West Coast, where hundreds of ships and submarines were built over more than a century. The shipyard closed in 1996, and today Mare Island's historic brick buildings, chapel, museum and waterfront are being reborn with businesses, wineries and trails, along with a nature preserve on its hills.
Downtown Vallejo keeps grand early 1900s buildings along Georgia Street, and the waterfront has a ferry terminal with fast boats to San Francisco. Families come for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, a theme park with marine animals and roller coasters, while the Carquinez Bridge, Blue Rock Springs Park and the nearby Napa Valley wine country add to a visit.
Mare Island was home to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, the first United States Navy base on the Pacific coast, which built ships and submarines from 1854 until 1996. Today its historic district has old officers' homes, shipyard buildings, cranes and dry docks. Drive or bike around and visit the museum and chapel.
St. Peter's Chapel on Mare Island was built in 1901 and is the oldest Navy chapel in the United States. It is famous for its large collection of Tiffany stained glass windows, along with redwood interior details. It is open on limited days and for scheduled tours, so check with the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation.
The Carquinez Bridge carries Interstate 80 across the Carquinez Strait between Vallejo and Crockett. The newer span, the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge opened in 2003, is a suspension bridge with a walking and bike path offering views of the strait. Park at the Vallejo end and walk partway across for photos.
The Mare Island Museum is run by the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation in a historic shipyard building, with exhibits on ship and submarine building, the people who worked here and the Navy's history in the Bay Area. Volunteers also lead tours of the historic district. It opens on limited days, so check ahead.
The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum fills the city's 1927 former city hall with exhibits on Mare Island, naval history and the people of Vallejo. A highlight is a working submarine periscope that lets you look out over the city. It is in downtown near Georgia Street; check opening days and hours before visiting.
Mare Island Preserve covers the hills at the southern end of Mare Island, with trails past old ammunition bunkers, wildflowers and wide views of San Pablo Bay, the Carquinez Strait and Mount Tamalpais. It is a quiet place for an easy walk. It is open on limited days, so check the schedule, and bring layers for wind.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry runs from the Vallejo waterfront to the San Francisco Ferry Building in about an hour, passing Mare Island, the Carquinez Strait area and views of the bay. It is a relaxing way to visit the city without driving. Sit outside for the best views, and check the schedule as weekend trips are fewer.
Georgia Street is the main street of downtown Vallejo, running up from the waterfront with historic buildings, restaurants, cafes, bars and small shops. It hosts a farmers market and art walks. Walk from the ferry terminal up Georgia Street and back along the waterfront promenade for views of Mare Island.
The Empress Theatre is a restored 1911 theater on Virginia Street in downtown Vallejo, now a nonprofit venue for concerts, comedy, film nights and community shows. The intimate hall has good sound and a bar. Check the event schedule online, and pair a show with dinner on nearby Georgia Street.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is a combined theme park and animal park in Vallejo, with roller coasters such as Medusa and Superman Ultimate Flight, family rides and animal exhibits and shows. Visit on a weekday to keep lines short, buy tickets online, and plan most of a day to see both rides and animals.
Blue Rock Springs Park is a hilly park in east Vallejo with a small lake, picnic areas, lawns and walking paths among grassy hills. It is next to a public golf course and is a quiet spot for a picnic away from downtown. Parking is easy, and the hills are greenest in winter and spring.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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