Mare Island Naval Shipyard — the first US Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean — occupies a peninsula across the Napa River from downtown Vallejo. It operated for 142 years, from 1854 to 1996, building and repairing Navy vessels from the Civil War through the Cold War. Since closure, the island has been gradually redeveloped as a mixed-use district with historic preservation at its core.
The historic district on the southern end of the island preserves the original officer's row mansions, the commandant's house, massive dry docks, a chapel, and industrial buildings. St. Peter's Chapel dates from 1901 and contains one of the largest collections of Tiffany stained glass windows on the West Coast. Self-guided walking tours of the historic area are possible during daylight hours; guided tours are available through the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation.
The island also holds the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast. Several Navy vessels moored here are visible from the historic district, including the USS LCS(L)(3)-102.