If you have never been to the island, plan a trip. One day excursion and you will learn A LOT about the first Navel Base on the West Coast. The golf course is the oldest west of the Mississippi. Walking down the tree lined streets will take you back to the mid 1800s...with the historic everything! Houses, captains quarters (mansions, in excellent condition), lieutenant's houses and then old cement bunkers on the other side of the street. Beyond the bunkers are full funtioning dry docks restoring ships. The Chapel is a must see! It could be an all day history lesson or a quick drive through a period of time...or park here and take the ferry into San Francisco. Mare Island is the first stop on the ferry. You'll always get a good seat and parking is free!