Take a Guided Walk Through History
Mare Island Historic Park Foundation Historic Tours
Step into history with docent-led tours of Mare Island’s naval heritage. Discover the stories behind America’s first naval shipyard on the West Coast and the treasures of St. Peter’s Chapel, home to the largest collection of Tiffany stained-glass windows in the West.
Tour Schedule
Thursdays at 2:00 PM
Saturdays at 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
Tour Pricing
A docent-led exploration of St. Peter’s Chapel, highlighting its history, world-renowned Tiffany stained-glass windows, and unique architecture.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Full Historic Tour — $25 per person
Begins at St. Peter’s Chapel, followed by a guided walk to several historic sites across Mare Island. In the event of rain, the full tour is held inside the chapel.
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
School Tours
Led by tour host Derek McArdle, a classroom educator with over 20 years of experience teaching U.S. and World History, Government, Social Studies, Math, and English both domestically and internationally, these tours are designed to be educational, engaging, and age-appropriate.
Students will explore key historic sites on Mare Island, including St. Peter’s Chapel, the oldest Naval Chapel in the United States and home to the largest collection of Tiffany stained glass windows on the West Coast. The tour also includes Officer’s Row, Alden Park, and the historic core - featuring the shipbuilding ways, industrial machinery, and dry docks where hundreds of naval vessels were built and repaired, including the first permanent dry dock on the West Coast.
School tours are currently offered at no cost.
Schools are only responsible for providing transportation.
To schedule or for questions:
Derek.McArdle@mihpf.org
512-395-7900
Private & Group Tours
Prefer a custom experience?
If you don’t see a tour day or time that works for your group, private or group tours can be scheduled outside of regular hours.
A $25 private tour booking fee applies in addition to standard ticket prices.
Please allow a minimum of 7 days’ notice when requesting a private or group tour.
Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. For larger groups or special requests, please email Lynn.Anderson@mihpf.org .
Tour Details & Policies
Starting Location
St. Peter’s Chapel
1181 Walnut Ave, Vallejo, CA
Street parking available
Accessibility
Due to the chapel’s historic nature, it is not wheelchair accessible.
ADA NOTICE: St. Peter’s Chapel is a significant as a key contributing element of the Mare Island Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark (NRIS Number: 75002103). Due to its historic significance, this building is not wheelchair accessible. 28 C.F.R. 35.150(A)(2). For more information, you may contact us through MIHPF.org.
Cancellations & Rescheduling
Cancel at least 48 hours before your tour for a full refund.
Reschedules are available with 24 hours’ notice.Weather Policy
Tours will be conducted inside the chapel in the event of rain.
Contact
Email: admin@mihpf.org
Text: 707-557-4646
Tour Overview
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.
Upon leaving the Chapel your guide will point out the nearby Marine Corps Barracks that served as their main training center until 1923, and "Old 84",the first Navy prison on the west coast. And if you have time, you may also get to go inside a WWII bomb shelter!
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