$776,682Average Value$292Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Coastal living alongside Vallejo’s former Naval base
Flanked by the San Pablo Bay, the Napa River and protected wetlands, Mare Island is connected to the rest of Vallejo via two bridges. The island is known for its commitment to preserving nature, World War II naval history and promises of future development. In 1945, it held 45,000 to 50,000 people, most of whom worked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. “Between 1854 and 1993, workers built 514 ships, 25 submarines, 19 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and the U.S.S. California battleship,” says Dan Glaze, docent of the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation. The Navy left in 1996, and today, residents number in the hundreds – mainly a mixture of retirees and medical students attending Touro University. There’s also a large industrial presence, and for years, talks of developing parts of the area to support future growth have been ongoing.
As a Vallejo local for the past 55 years and current resident of Mare Island, Glaze keeps an eye on future development. “They’re projecting 14,000 will live here. But the whole southern part of the island is all open space and will be in perpetuity; the wildlife refuge is zoned that way. History will be preserved if we have anything to say about it.” Regarding the exact timeline of Mare Island’s development, “I think all of that is in the lap of the gods,” says Andrew Urban, Vallejo local and Keller Williams Realtor with 25 years of experience. “Every year we think, oh, this is the year! How quickly does the future arrive is the question.” The Mare Island Site Specific Plan is awaiting approval. There is not a heavy construction presence now, but over the next 25 years, more mixed-use buildings, jobs and homes will come to Mare Island.
A working drydock employs some of the residents on Mare Island.
You might consider attending Tuoro University on Mare Island.
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Strolling through the island’s marshlands
The Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail is a flat dirt path with some benches where walkers can stop and take in the sweeping views of bay. At the island’s southern tip, the Mare Island Preserve includes a naval cemetery, a metal sculpture of a ship overlooking the bay and the island’s highest vista point. On Saturday mornings, volunteers, Touro University students and employees of the Mare Island branch of the U.S. Forest Service tend to the Vallejo People’s Garden. This organic community garden feeds those in need.
When it comes to daily weather, Mare Island’s coastal location makes it cooler and breezier than most other parts of Vallejo. Regarding long-term environmental concerns, the Bay Area is known for its earthquake risk, and Mare Island is no exception. “It’s not if, it’s when,” Glaze says. “We have little earthquakes here regularly. Seismic issues closed the Mare Island Museum.” And given Mare Island’s low elevation, the wetlands are prone to flooding. However, the developed parts of the island do not share the flood risk. “The real concern is on the north end of the island,” Glaze says, drawing on his experience as a former environmental engineer. The north end is not developed, but engineers will likely bring in fill to protect the area from projected sea level rise.
Mare Island offers access to the San Pablo Bay Trail and hiking through the wetlands.
Hike by the Mare Island Naval Cemetery while enjoying a hike on the preserve.
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Homes clustered near Crescent Park and overlooking San Pablo Bay
Two-story Mission Revival and New Traditional homes sit close together on compact lots. Four-to-five-bedroom homes are common; many were built around 2005. Prices range from about $700,000 to $1 million. Most homes surround Crescent Park, a half-moon-shaped greenspace lined with benches and a sidewalk. Flagship Drive connects this flat residential area to a more elevated one with views of San Pablo Bay. “Proposition 13 caps property taxes, but Mare Island residents pay $3,000 to $4,000 per year on top of property taxes for things like park upkeep,” Glaze says.
You will enjoy the Mission-style homes in the neighborhood of Mare Island.
Crescent Park offers a sprawling space when viewed from above.
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Events at Vino Godfather Winery and St. Peter’s Chapel
The Mare Island Company organizes regular public events, like the annual Light Night Holiday Tree Celebration and the Mare Island Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. Vino Godfather Winery draws crowds at its concerts and wine tastings. St. Peter’s Chapel, an interdenominational chapel built for the Navy in 1900, now hosts concerts, weddings and speaker series. It features American Craftsman handiwork, Victorian Gothic arches and 29 stained glass windows. “Twenty-five of them were designed by Tiffany & Co.,” Glaze says. “It’s the biggest collection of West of the Mississippi and the only place they’re on display. This place just screams craftsmanship.” The Mare Island Historic Park Foundation offers guided tours of the chapel and of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Enjoy a wine tasting and periodic live music at Vino Godfather on Mare Island.
St. Peter's Chapel on Mare Island is known for its many Tiffany windows.
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Mare Island’s coffee, beer and whiskey scene
Former naval officers’ homes are now used for commercial purposes, including The Quarters, Mare Island’s local coffee shop. In what was once an upper-class home in the early 20th century, customers can sip coffee and buy honey produced on the island. “I’m like the bodega cat of this place,” says Carolyn McCanne, a regular who works on multimedia art projects from her favorite chair. Another repurposed structure is Mare Island Brewing Company, a refurbished coal shed built around 1900. The brewery and taproom share a building with a CrossFit gym and a glassblowing studio. Locals and visitors can also stop by Savage & Cooke, a local restaurant and distillery. In addition to whiskey, “They have fried chicken, fried chicken and fried chicken. And sometimes shrimp,” Glaze says. Shoppers must leave the island for groceries; Walmart Neighborhood Market and Redwood Square Shopping Center are just minutes away on the Vallejo mainland.
The Quarters cafe is a comfortable place to start your day on Mare Island.
Mare Island Brewery hosts residents and large events with a view of the Napa River.
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Elementary and middle school on the island
Elementary and middle schoolers may attend Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy, rated C-minus on Niche and named for its emphasis on physical education. The Vallejo school board is considering closing this school for budgetary reasons, but classes are currently in session as of 2024. While Latino students make up about 52% of the Vallejo City Unified School District’s enrollment, they dominate Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy’s population at 65%. High schoolers journey 4 miles to the mainland to attend Vallejo High School, rated C.
Mare Island Health And Fitness Academy offers a garden for students to experience.
Vallejo High signage features an emblem of their school mascot.
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Driving over the Napa River to downtown Vallejo
Within the developed part of Mare Island, residents can walk or bike to the coffee shop, chapel, brewery or waterfront. Cars can cross the Napa River via Sears Point Road or the Mare Island Causeway to get to other parts of Vallejo. The latter connects to Tennessee Street, one of the main streets in downtown Vallejo, about 3 miles away. Adventist Health Vallejo and Vallejo Kaiser Permanente Hospital are about 4 miles from Mare Island. For those who want to skip the tolls and traffic on the Interstate, the Mare Island Ferry takes pedestrians and cyclists to San Francisco. For air travel, Oakland International Airport is 37 miles south.
A note on crime
The 2024 Netflix true crime docuseries, American Nightmare, covers the 2015 kidnapping of a woman on Mare Island. However, Mare Island enjoys a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4. Locals consider it one of the safest neighborhoods in Vallejo.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jasmine Sunkara,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
River Park
Boating
Fishing
Kayak/Canoe
Henry Ranch Park
Crescent Park
Trails
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Vallejo Waterfront
Alden Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Vallejo Waterfront Park - Duplicate
Transit
Airport
Metro Oakland International
51 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mare Island
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mare Island, Vallejo sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mare Island, Vallejo over the last 12 months is $786,375, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Come see this multi-generational home in the historic Mare Island w/ luxurious finishes! This expansive home is located in the prestigious Coral Sea Community & boasts of 5 bedrooms & 4.5 bathrooms. On the first floor, there is a separate living space w/ its own bedroom, living room, full bathroom, kitchenette, laundry & a private entrance. As you enter the home, you are greeted by a vast &
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jasmine Sunkara,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,045
Median Age
37
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$99,999
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$142,600
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.2%
College Graduates
57.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
21''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
