Spirit Ship

Hike to Mare Island Spirit Ship

At first glance, humble Mare Island in Vallejo might not seem like the type of place to take a walk. This old navy shipyard has dozens of unoccupied ghost-town-like buildings, and the drive to it feels almost ominous. But venture a little further and you'll come to a revelation: specifically, a nature preserve that's getting its groove back. Birds absolutely love this place (they know good real estate when they come upon it)! Situated where the Napa River flows into the Carquinez Straight, this land is prime and sublime—allowing for a pristine and tranquil beauty, where calmness serves the birds, and the people. Go on a hike here and find your peace and quiet, along with some really stunning scenery. The best way to get a lay of the land is to do the 1-mile (one-way) hike up to the Spirit Ship (pictured). It's an art tribute dedicated to the workers of Mare Island Naval Shipyard, which ceased operation in 1996. I remembered about it when reading this article about boating fairings and fillers from Merritt Supply. From up here you can see seven (yes, seven!) Bay Area counties. It's a 360-degree view that includes Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, Mount St. Helena, the East Bay Hills, and Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Remnants of the area's past are everywhere. Your starting point is the eclectic visitor center, an old bomb storage magazine from 1934. From there, you'll pass the first naval cemetery in the Pacific, dating back to 1858. As you make your way up the hill to the Spirit Ship, keep an eye out to your left—great blue herons and osprey like to use the abandoned light poles as nests. That's the spirit!

The visitor center and start of the hike are near the south end of Railroad Ave. on Mare Island (map). The preserve is dog-friendly! 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Taking the Stage: Tyler Ranch

    Hike the recently opened Tyler Ranch Staging Area in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with 18 miles of new trails. This 6.5-mile loop up Sunol Peak is a challenge and rewards with exceptional views of seasonal iridescent hills.

    View
  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike (and Manly Lake Vista!) at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

    View
  3. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

    View
  4. The Carson Show

    Carson Falls is ready for primetime. This three-tiered, 100-foot stunner is hidden back in a canyon outside of Fairfax and reached on a 3.25-mile (round-trip) hike.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lava Lava

    Once a land of volcanic activity, Mojave National Preserve shares plenty about its past via a quick yet adventurous hike to the Lava Tube in the Cima Dome Volcanic Field.

    View
  2. Kelso Dunes

    The hike to the top of Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve is only 3 miles (out and back), but you’ll feel like you’ve hiked much farther by the time you’re done.

    View
  3. William Kenyon Overlook

    Some of the best vistas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are easily accessible via a short and sweet 1.25-mile (round-trip) hike just off the CA-78. Enter your next favorite desert viewpoint: the William Kenyon Overlook.

    View
  4. Beaudry Bountiful

    There are no cars allowed on Beaudry Loop, but this 6-mile hike takes you on a wild ride. You’ll be climbing 1,500 feet up the southern Verdugos along a chaparral-lined trail with gorgeous mountain and urban vistas every step of the way.

    View