The story of Vallejo’s ferry service tracks the evolution of the San Francisco Bay Area itself, from the early industrial days to today’s modern commuter network. This article explores the rich history of this vital transportation link.
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The original Mare Island ferry connection
The first chapter in Vallejo’s ferry story begins not in California, but in Oregon. In 1879, the Oregon & California Railroad put a 414-ton vessel called “Ferry №2” into service on the Willamette River in Portland. Built with a powerful 455-horsepower steam engine, this sturdy vessel connected East Portland to Downtown, helping passengers cross the river before any bridges spanned the water.
When the Steel Bridge was constructed in 1888, Ferry №2 lost its purpose. The boat sat idle for several years until fate gave it a second life. Sometime around 1895, the vessel was transported to San Francisco Bay and renamed the “Vallejo.”
By 1904, the Vallejo was serving a new and important role — shuttling workers and visitors between the city of Vallejo and Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Mare Island had been established in 1854 as the first U.S. Navy base on the Pacific Coast, and as it grew, so did the need for reliable transportation to connect it with the mainland.
The ferry changed hands in 1923 when Robert Rauhauge of the Mare Island Line purchased the vessel. For over two decades, the Vallejo continued its vital service, especially during World War II when the shipyard buzzed with activity building and repairing warships.
The end of an era came after World War II. With naval operations scaling back and a new causeway being built to connect Mare Island to the mainland, the ferry service was no longer needed. In 1947, the Vallejo — the last ferry serving this route — was sold for scrap and delivered to Sausalito to be broken up.
Though the vessel itself was dismantled, its name lived on in unexpected ways. The ferry hull was later repurposed as a houseboat in Sausalito that became famous in the 1960s counterculture scene, hosting figures like Alan Watts and serving as the site of the legendary “Houseboat Summit” with Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg.
For nearly four decades after the original service ended, Vallejo would have no ferry connection to the rest of the Bay Area.
Red & White Fleet revives ferry service
After decades without ferry service, a new chapter began in 1986 when Marine World/Africa USA relocated from Redwood City to a spacious new home in Vallejo. The popular tourist attraction created an opportunity that San Francisco’s Red & White Fleet was quick to seize.
The tour boat operator launched a dual-purpose ferry service: morning runs carried commuters from Vallejo to San Francisco, while midday and weekend trips brought visitors to the newly opened theme park. This clever business model helped make the service financially viable.
Red & White Fleet invested heavily in their new route, purchasing two high-speed catamarans specifically for Vallejo service: the M/V Dolphin and the M/V Catamaran. These 400-passenger vessels could cruise at 28 knots, making the trip between Vallejo and San Francisco in just over an hour — remarkably quick for the 25-mile journey across the bay.
The City of Vallejo saw potential in this new transportation link and invested $2.9 million in infrastructure to support it. Using state and local redevelopment funds, they built an impressive ferry terminal with a high-capacity float and gangway that could offload 300 passengers in under three minutes.
On September 26, 1986, the new commuter service officially launched. For the first time since World War II, residents of Vallejo had a direct water route to San Francisco. The timing couldn’t have been better — traffic on Bay Area highways was worsening, and many commuters welcomed an alternative to sitting in gridlock.
The restored ferry service quickly became part of the fabric of Vallejo life. The morning ritual of boarding the ferry, enjoying coffee with a bay view, and arriving in San Francisco refreshed rather than stressed attracted a dedicated group of regular riders. The service also boosted Vallejo’s economy by making it more attractive to San Francisco workers looking for affordable housing.
In just its first year, the new ferry service demonstrated its value to the region. But challenges lay ahead that would test the commitment of both Red & White Fleet and the Vallejo community.
City of Vallejo takes the helm
By late 1987, Red & White Fleet faced a financial dilemma. While the midday and weekend runs to Marine World were profitable, the commuter service was losing money. In March 1988, the company proposed eliminating the commuter runs entirely.
The news hit Vallejo commuters hard. Led by “Ferry Godmother” Cindy Detweiler, the North Bay Water Commuters group sprang into action. They rallied over 800 supporters who packed City Hall at a council meeting, demanding that ferry service be saved. Their passionate advocacy worked — the city stepped in, reaching an agreement with Red & White Fleet to keep limited commuter service running.
Then came the catastrophic Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989. The disaster damaged the Bay Bridge and highlighted the vulnerability of land-based transportation. Within a week, emergency ferry service was operating between Vallejo and San Francisco using three vessels borrowed from Washington State. Even after the Bay Bridge reopened in November, many commuters stuck with the ferry, having discovered its convenience and comfort.
The earthquake transformed the conversation about Bay Area transportation. In June 1990, California voters passed Proposition 116, which included $10 million for Vallejo’s ferry system. In November 1991, the Vallejo City Council approved an ambitious Ferry Plan that called for purchasing two 35-knot ferryboats, setting schedules, and contracting with an experienced operator.
More funding followed in December 1991 when President George H.W. Bush signed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which included $17 million for the “North Bay Ferry Demonstration Program.” Additional support came from Regional Measure 1, which provided funding through a $1 toll increase on Bay Area bridges.
These developments coincided with significant population growth in the region. Vallejo grew from about 80,000 residents in 1980 to 109,000 by 1990, while Solano County’s population surged from 235,000 to over 340,000 in the same period. With more people came more cars, more traffic, and greater need for transportation alternatives.
The City of Vallejo had stepped up to save its ferry service. Now, with major funding secured and a clear plan in place, it was ready to transform that service into something bigger and better.
Baylink ferry service transforms commuting
With substantial funding now secured, Vallejo moved quickly to build a modern ferry system. In spring 1994, the city purchased the “M/V Jet Cat Express,” a 28-knot catamaran from Catalina Express in Long Beach. They selected Blue & Gold Fleet as their operator, and service began on July 1, 1994.
Meanwhile, plans for two custom-built high-speed catamarans moved forward. After an extensive bidding process involving five potential builders, the Vallejo City Council awarded a contract to Dakota Creek Shipyard of Anacortes, Washington in October 1995.
The result was two sleek, 301-passenger vessels capable of speeds up to 34 knots. Powered by twin 2,720 horsepower diesel engines driving water jets, these ferries represented the state-of-the-art in passenger vessel technology.
In a touching tribute to those who championed the ferry service, the Vallejo City Council named the first catamaran the “M/V Intintoli” after Mayor Anthony Intintoli, whose unwavering support had been critical to the project’s success. The second vessel was named “M/V Mare Island” in honor of the community’s naval heritage.
Both vessels arrived in 1997 and were put into service that May under the new Vallejo Baylink Ferry Service brand, with Blue & Gold Fleet as the operator. The timing was fortunate. In September 1997, a BART strike forced many commuters to find alternative transportation. Many tried the ferry and liked it enough to stay even after the strike ended.
The numbers tell the success story:
- First fiscal year (1997–1998): 545,000 passengers
- Second fiscal year (1998–1999): 635,000 passengers
- Third fiscal year (1999–2000): Nearly 750,000 riders (including supplemental bus service)
With ridership growing, the city secured additional funding. In 2004, they added a third vessel to the fleet — the M/V Solano, built at a cost of $11 million. This expansion allowed Baylink to increase weekday trips from 11 to 15 daily sailings and weekend runs to 11. They also added special service from AT&T Park (now Oracle Park) for San Francisco Giants night games.
The Vallejo Baylink Ferry had become not just a commuter service but a regional asset, connecting communities and offering an enjoyable alternative to highway congestion.
Modern ferry service under WETA
As the Bay Area continued to grow in the early 2000s, regional planners recognized the need for a coordinated approach to water transportation. In the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, there was also increased awareness of ferries’ potential role in emergency response.
In 2007, the California legislature created the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), tasked with consolidating and expanding Bay Area ferry service while also preparing for water-based emergency response. This new agency would eventually take over operation of the Vallejo ferry service from the city.
The transition to WETA management marked the beginning of a new era. The service was rebranded as part of “San Francisco Bay Ferry,” integrating Vallejo’s routes into a coordinated network that included Oakland, Alameda, South San Francisco, and other destinations. This integration allowed for more efficient scheduling, consistent ticketing policies, and coordinated planning across the Bay Area.
Under WETA, the ferry fleet continued to modernize. Older vessels were gradually replaced with more fuel-efficient, lower-emission boats. The organization also invested in terminal improvements in Vallejo and at San Francisco’s Ferry Building, enhancing passenger comfort and accessibility.
Today’s Vallejo ferry service remains an essential transportation link, continuing its dual role of serving both commuters and tourists:
- Offers multiple daily departures in each direction
- Provides Wi-Fi internet access for commuters
- Features onboard amenities like snack bars and comfortable seating
- Operates special service for major events and Giants games
- Serves as a vital emergency transportation option when roads or BART are disrupted
From its humble beginnings as a recycled Oregon ferry in the late 1800s to today’s modern fleet, the Vallejo ferry has continually adapted to serve the changing needs of Bay Area residents. Through economic ups and downs, natural disasters, and dramatic urban growth, water transportation has proven its enduring value.
The ferry service that began by shuttling Mare Island shipyard workers now carries tech workers, tourists, sports fans, and day-trippers across the same waters. As the Bay Area looks toward a future of increasing congestion and environmental challenges, the Vallejo ferry stands ready to play its part in the region’s sustainable transportation network.