About this event
Historic and Undiscovered Mare Island- The first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean.
This will be a joint event with the Studebaker Car Club, as our Vice-President, Dr. Barton Lane, is not only a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast, but also a member of the Studebaker Car Club. He is passionate about his vintage 1955 Studebaker Commander. Which marque will he drive to the event? The only way to find out is to register and attend!
On Saturday, February 24th at 10:00Am, we will in front of the Mare Island Historic Park Museum (MIHPF), 1100 Railroad Avenue, (Mare Island is officially in Vallejo for the GPS), for a docent-led tour. After we meet there and register at the Museum, the guided tour starts at nearby St. Peter's Chapel. This wooden church is the oldest Naval chapel in the western US, and has 25 Tiffany spectacular stained glass windows. After that, the tour goes to the Admiral's House, a beautiful mansion used by the many Commandants of Mare Island when it was a major Naval base. From there, we return to the Museum for a guided tour. (We can walk to most of these spots but if the weather is inclement, we will drive.) Although this ends the official 3-hour tour, further options include a visit to a WW2 Landing Support Craft (LCS), which served in Okinawa, docked nearby, and a self-guided driving tour of the rest of the island. There is a fine nature preserve with great bay views, and many photo opportunities for the club's cars. Imagine all of this local history for only $20.00 per person.
After the official guided tour ends, there are several no host lunch options. Those wishing to stay and continue with additional self-guided tours may want to bring a picnic lunch as the museum has indoor seating available. For those that wish to explore the many good restaurants over the bridge from Mare Island, there are several recommended restaurants that are quite good.
Sardine Can, 1 Harbor Way, Vallejo (seafood)
Zio Fraedo's, 23 Harbor Way, Vallejo (Italian)
Front Room at The Wharf, 295 Mare Island Way, Vallejo (American, waterfront views)