Photograph by John Klycinski

Mare Island Historic Southshore Walk
With Kenn Browne
Repeats Friday 12:45pm.

Walk along the Historic Southshore of Mare Island out to Pier 35 for great views of the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. We’ll see the original Mare Island where 150 years ago the U.S. Navy sited its first West Coast ammunition depot and shipyard. We’ll pass under heron and osprey nests, not active until spring and summer, but expect resting and feeding waterbirds in the protected waters off the Mare Island Southshore Heritage Preserve. This is a level 4-mile roundtrip walk on paved and gravel roads in an area not yet open to public access.

Directions: From I-80 in Vallejo take the Tennessee St. exit west towards Mare Island. Once on Mare Island take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. at Touro Univ. Go left on Railroad Ave. and go through the gate to the parking area. From Napa take Hwy 29 south to Tennessee St., turn right towards Mare Island and follow above directions.
From Marin or Sonoma Counties take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy. 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to “G” St. (1st stop sign) and turn left. Take the 2nd right at Nimitz and follow above directions. Leader Kenn 707-319-1846.

Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk Repeats Saturday 10am-3pm.

Preserve volunteers will greet you at the “Palmer hut”. Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.2 mile paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Directions: From the Mare Island entrance take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. and follow to gate. From Marin or Napa take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to stop sign at “G” St. Turn left. Turn right at the 2nd right at Nimitz Ave. Follow directions above.

Guadalcanal Village Wetland Restoration
Marsh Shorebird Observation
Join Refuge volunteers to view the Caltrans Guadalcanal Village wetland restoration site. Information about the restoration and telescopes for shorebird viewing will be provided. A Refuge van shuttle will leave from the “Vallejo Watershed Alliance Outing Tent” in front of Building 897 every 30 minutes for transport to and from the site, or drive and park.

Driving Directions from Festival Expo: Turn one-way right from Building 897 eastern exits from parking lots onto Walnut Ave. Turn left onto G Street. Turn left at flashing stoplight onto Railroad Ave. Continue north through North Gate. Make immediate left onto Hwy 37 overpass. Turn left into parking lot at end of overpass. No facilities. Due to high tides on Saturday, there will be no scheduled viewing, but get a great perspective on the restoration site from a viewing platform reached by climbing the spiral staircase onto the Mare Island Overpass from the parking lot.

Cullinan Ranch,
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Walk

Join Jerry Karr, Napa-Solano Audubon Society and Refuge Friends for bird viewing and discussion about the wetland restoration work planned for Cullinan Ranch a 1,500 acre former oat hay ranch on Highway 37, and now part of the Refuge. Not normally open to the public. No facilities.

Directions: From Vallejo travel west on Hwy 37 toward Marin County. Ranch is 1.5 miles west of the Napa River Bridge. Turn right and follow signs to parking. From Marin and Sonoma travel east towards Vallejo on Hwy 37. Take the Mare Island Exit, cross over Hwy 37 on the overpass and proceed west 1.5 miles. Turn right and follow signs to parking.

Sears Point Cougar Mountain Hike

Hike up Cougar Mountain with Justin Whitfield, URS Corp. Biologist, to learn about grassland ecology, the Sears Point Restoration, explore vernal pools, and take in the wonderful views of San Pablo Bay to San Francisco, Mt. Diablo, and Mt. Tam on a clear day. Meet at the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

Directions: From Napa and Sonoma continue westbound from Hwy 12/121 through light at Sears Point to light at Lakeville Hwy. Make U-turn at Lakeville Hwy light. Refuge is .25 miles on right. From Vallejo travel west on Hwy 37, past Hwy 121 light. Follow directions above.
From Marin eastbound on Hwy 37, Refuge is .25 miles on right after Lakeville Hwy light. Turn right into the driveway of an old dairy farm – there are no refuge signs but there will be cones at the entrance.