Take a Guided Walk Through History
Stroll through 142 years of Naval Shipyard history. We offer docent-led tours with advanced registration, subject to docent availability. St. Peter's Chapel is also available without reservations the second Sunday of every month. Also inquire for your group or bus: we can handle it all. See a Tour Overview or check out the stops below.
St. Peter's Chapel
The Admiral's Mansion
The USS Vallejo Submarine Sail Memorial
We’re now offering tours for groups and individuals. See below for full description of available tours.
Mare Island Historic Park Foundation Historic Tours
Explore 142 Years of Naval Shipyard History!
Join us for docent-led tours of Mare Island's rich naval history. Our tours require advanced registration and are subject to docent availability. For group or bus tours, please inquire—we can accommodate all sizes.
Tour Schedule:
1st & 3rd Weeks of Each Month
Thursdays - 2pm
Saturdays - 10am & 2pm
Sundays - 2pm
Tour Options & Pricing:
Chapel Tour: $10 per person
-45 minute tour of St. Peter's Chapel
Full Historic Tour (Starting at St. Peter's Chapel): $20 per person
-1.5 hours includes a guided tour of St. Peter's Chapel and a walking tour through Mare Island's historic sites.
Children under 13 are free.
Private Tours
If our public tour times don't fit your schedule, or you'd prefer a private, custom tour, we can arrange that for you! Please note there is a $25 booking fee in addition to ticket fees. A minimum of 7 days' notice is required for booking private tours.
Group Discount
Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.
For groups larger than 10, please email us at admin@mhipf.org.
Advance Booking Required at least 7 days in advance.
Additional Information
STARTING ADDRESS
Your docent(s) will meet you 5 minutes before the time of your tour at: St. Peter's Chapel, 1181 Walnut Ave, Vallejo . Parking is available along the street.
ADA ACCESS
Due to its historic significance, this building is not wheelchair accessible. 28 C.F.R. § 35.150(a)(2) There are steps leading into the Chapel. There is one step onto the altar and a couple more if you want to get close to the cross or to see the organ pipes.
CANCELLATIONS
If you need to cancel this tour, please let us know at least 48 hours before your scheduled time to receive a full refund. We can reschedule the tour if we are notified within 24 hours.
WEATHER POLICY Tours will be held inside the chapel in the event of rain to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our customers.
Contact Us
For any questions, please email us at admin@mhipf.org or text us at 707-557-4646.
Tour Overview
Tour Schedule & Options:
SCHEDULE
Our historic tours are scheduled for the 1st & 3rd weeks of every month on the following days and times:
-Thursdays at 2pm
-Saturdays at 10a & 2pm
-Sundays at 2pm
OPTIONS
1. Chapel Tour - 45 Minutes
2. Full Walking Tour - 1 hour & 45 minutes
DESCRIPTION
Begin by meeting your docent amidst the soaring eucalyptus trees of picturesque Chapel Park, and entering the historic doors of St. Peter’s Chapel, the oldest Navy Chapel in the nation (built 1901). Learn the about Farragut’s founding of the Island in 1854 and the Island’s incredible contribution to American history as you soak in the brilliance of the Chapel, including the stained glass collection, which includes 25 windows by the Tiffany Studios. This section of the tour is approximately 45 minutes.
After a complete tour of the interior of St. Peter's Chapel, your Docent will lead you on an outdoor stroll (approximately 45-60 min) through Mare Island history, including stops at: The Admiral’s Mansion, Alden Park, and the Historic Core with the USS Vallejo Submarine Sail memorial, the Building Ways and Dry Dock 1. Along the way, learn about “Captain’s Row,” the lushness and incredible tree collection (and bunkers!) of Alden Park, the original Admin Building, the original Pipe Shop, the launching of the USS California, and more. The many stories of the Island will be brought to life!
St. Peter’s Chapel
A museum by itself, St. Peter Chapel, built in 1901, is known for its large collection of stunning Tiffany windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, and historic plaques, you’ll find yourself in awe of the craftsmanship on display. Learn about Mare Island through the lense of the oldest Navy Chapel in the country.
The Admiral’s Mansion
Lay your eyes on the opulence of a mansion of the Victorian era that features an abundance of exquisite details. While we currently cannot take anyone inside the mansion during restoration, you will learn learn about the famous leaders who called this place home and their impact on American history.
Alden Park
Alden park is a beautiful, tree-filled park at the very center of the historic section of the Island. Learn about how Alden himself requested that the Captains returning to Mare Island bring back tree seedlings and saplings from all over the world to plant in this park. See the bunkers built immediately after Pearl Harbor to protect against what was seen as an imminent Japanese invasion. Sprinkled throughout the park are historic artifacts that will bring the Island history to life.
The Historic Core
The focal point of history on the waterfront itself, you can see the first dry docks built on the West Coast (completed after 19 years of work in 1891), the soaring cranes that built the ships and submarines that Mare Island is known for, and learn stories of the building and launching of those vessels from the “ways” with their intricate gantries that tower above you. It is here you’ll also find the Sail of the USS Vallejo.
The USS Vallejo Submarine Sail Memorial
From 1959 – 1967 the Navy commissioned 41 US Navy Fleet ballistic missile submarines under a new classification of boats known as the “SSBN” and nicknamed the “41 for Freedom.” 7 of these were built on Mare Island, including the USS Mariano G. Vallejo. In 2019 the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation hosted a celebration to commemorate the permanent installation of the sail memorial of the Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658 (MGV), returning the sail to the place of its original building and launching.
Contact Us
Questions or comments? Reach out to us and we'll respond promptly!
Visit St. Peter's Chapel: 1181 Walnut Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592
Visit Admirals Mansion: 1065 Walnut Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592
Visit Library: 1175 Nimitz, Suite 170, Vallejo, CA 94592
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INSTAGRAM: @MAREISLANDFOUNDATION
FACEBOOK: @MAREISLANDFOUNDATION