Cover Story

Checkin’ Out Vallejo

Historic, downtown Vallejo is often overlooked by out-of-towners. Six Flags Marine World on the outskirts of town draws plenty of visitors, but few make it downtown and to the waterfront-the real Vallejo. Satisfy your curiosity and check it out, because the setting is incredible. This expansive waterfront near the mouth of the Napa River, takes in the view of open hills, the Carquinez Strait, and the W.W.II vintage skyline of Mare Island across the water. Vallejo began as a vision of General Vallejo. Proclaiming it to be the true center of the state, commerce, and travel, he offered to donate this land to the State of California, complete with a state capitol building. Upon acceptance, the state named the new, but ultimately short-lived capitol after the generous general. As one of California’s oldest settlements, Vallejo and its architectural splendor will impress you as you stroll through downtown, or through the Vallejo Heritage District on the hill above. Laden with potential, the City is beginning to organize and market its attributes for visitors.

With one of the most beautiful ferry rides on the bay, Vallejo-based commuters are both fortunate and ferry-loyal. The ride passes so much of the Bay Area’s prettiest shoreline, beginning with the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and Angel Island. After passing under the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the East Brother Light Station comes into view, built in 1873 to light the way for ships traveling to Vallejo and Sacramento. The old light station was eventually decommissioned and narrowly rescued from demolition by a group of loving citizens. It is now an inn run by East Brother Light Station, Inc. If you come to spend the night, you will be well-fed, or you may come for the day with a picnic. Though the rooms aren’t cheap, the money they generate goes to maintain the light station. The boat that takes you there leaves from the San Pablo Yacht Harbor in Richmond. The ferry continues on into the Carquinez Strait, with views of the picturesque shoreline near Crockett and the C&H factory, before heading into Mare Island Strait to the terminal. Its a wonder more sight-see-ers don’t opt for a ride on the Vallejo ferry run in place of the more mundane bay cruises. Those in the know have figured out that the Vallejo ferry also provides an excellent gateway to Napa Valley, or to Benicia along the Carquinez Strait. From Vallejo, you can visit Napa Valley wineries with the California Wine Ship, or venture to Benicia to watch glass blowers craft phenomenal things in their studios. At the ferry terminal, transit will link you with all of this, as well as Vallejo accommodations, which are all out by Six Flags Marine World. The Ramada Inn and the Best Western Inn both offer shuttle service from the ferry terminal for their guests.

1. But first you will want to explore downtown. There is a visitor information station, and coffee and sandwiches at Mugg’s Coffee Emporium in the ferry terminal to help you get started. You might begin your downtown exploration with a visit the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum at 734 Marin Street. The museum interprets the history of Vallejo and Mare Island, and it is a great jumping-off point for a Mare Island tour. The museum itself is on the National Register of Historic Places, and used to be city hall. Inside, the Saginaw Gallery portrays Mare Island’s achievements. Here, you will learn that Mare Island was established in 1850 as the country’s first Pacific Naval installation on the west coast and home to the Pacific Fleet, which, back then, was a squadron of wooden ships. Mare Island also provided the first docking and repair facility for Pacific trade in the early days, docking vessels like New England whalers, Cape Horn clippers and Nicaraguan steamers carrying gold. Ultimately the Mare Island Shipyard served in the Civil, Spanish American, Korean, and both world wars. Incidentally, it was also in 1850 that the state legislature accepted General Vallejo’s offer to locate the state capitol in Vallejo, and the population grew in response. The state capitol moved to Vallejo in 1852 but never settled in, moving to Benicia in 1853, and ultimately to Sacramento. Mare Island carried on for another 142 years. By World War II, Mare Island had become the largest construction and repair yard in the world. During the war it repaired or overhauled over 4500 vessels from US and Allied fleets before sending them back to war. Models of many of the shipyard’s vessels are on display in the Saginaw Gallery.

Vallejo Directory

Transportation

Vallejo Baylink Ferry, (707) 643-3779, www.baylinkferry.com

Vallejo Transit, (707)648-4666

Benicia Transit, (707)745-0815

Napa Valley Transit, (707)259-8637

Museums and Visitor Information

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, (707)643-0077

Camel Barn Museum, (707)745-5435

Vallejo Visitor Information, (707)642-3653

Napa Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, (707)226-7459, 1310 Napa Town Center

Events

Annual Flyway Festival, January, (707) 557-9816, Mare Island

Benicia Camel Races, July 14-15, (707)745-5435, East 2nd street

Carquinez Heritage Month, August, (510)787-2487, carquinezstrait.org

July 4th Vallejo Parade and Waterfront Concert, Vallejo Waterfront (707)642-3653

Solano County Fair, July 13-July 26, (707)642-3653

Annual Vallejo Shoreline Jazz, Art and Wine Festival, August 25-26, (707)557-0325

Wednesday Night Celebrations, June through September, (707)642-3653 Georgia Street

Vallejo Blues Festival, (707)642-3653, September 15-16, Vallejo waterfront

Vallejo Artist Guild Open Studios, September 22-23 and 29-30, (707)557-3319.

Open Studios group show, Vallejo museum, September 22-23 and 29-30, (707)643-0077.

Vallejo Symphony (707)643-4441, www.vallejosymphony.org

Whaleboat Regatta October 6-7, (707)643-3653, Vallejo Waterfront

Tours and Attractions

Mare Island Historic Park Foundation Tours, (707) 557-1538, www.mareislandhpf.org.

California Wine Ship, (707)643-7337

Six Flags Marine World, (707)643-6722, sixflags.com