Early Beginnings in the 19th Century

The Vallejo ferry route traces its origins to the mid-1800s amid California's rapid growth during the Gold Rush era. In 1865, the Napa Valley Railroad established service that coordinated with ferry operations in Vallejo, facilitating passenger transfers between rail and water. The route linked Vallejo, a burgeoning North Bay city named after Gen. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, to San Francisco's bustling port.

By 1895, the Monticello Steamship Company operated ferries between Vallejo and San Francisco, providing regular crossings for passengers and goods. The company, run by the Hatch brothers—Capt. Zephaniah J. Hatch and Capt. Charles N. Hatch—competed with larger operators like Southern Pacific. One notable vessel, the Ferry Vallejo, served the route from about 1899 to 1919, primarily shuttling between Vallejo and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. This side-wheeler ferry transported workers and military personnel, underscoring Vallejo's role as a naval hub.

Expansion and Operations in the Early 20th Century

The early 1900s marked a period of expansion for the Vallejo ferry route. In 1905, the Monticello Steamship Company began coordinating schedules with electric trains on the Napa Valley Route, enhancing connectivity for North Bay travelers. Vessels like the General Frisbie, named after Vallejo founder John B. Frisbie, plied the waters, offering excursions and commuter services. The Sehome, rebuilt as a propeller-driven ferry in 1914, and the Asbury Park, renamed City of Sacramento in 1925 and modified for automobile transport, also served the route.

At 30 miles, the Vallejo-to-San Francisco run was the longest ferry route on the Bay, taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes at an average speed of 15 knots in the 1930s. Ferries departed from the foot of Merchant Street near the San Francisco Ferry Building, with hourly service extending to Mare Island. In 1927, the Golden Gate Ferry Company acquired Monticello, but after merging with Southern Pacific, it discontinued the Vallejo service in 1937. This closure aligned with a broader decline in Bay ferry usage following the openings of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in 1936 and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937.

Decline Amid Bridge Construction

The construction of transbay bridges in the 1930s drastically reduced ferry ridership across the San Francisco Bay. Before these structures, more than 50 million people crossed the Bay by ferry annually in the mid-1930s. The Vallejo route, like others, suffered as automobiles and bridges offered faster alternatives. By the late 1980s, only four public ferry boats served the entire Bay Area. The route lay dormant for decades, with Vallejo's population growth—from 80,000 in 1980 to 109,000 by 1990—highlighting the need for revived transit options.

Revival in the 1980s

The modern Vallejo ferry route revived in 1986, spurred by the relocation of Marine World Africa USA—now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom—from Redwood City to Vallejo. To attract visitors from San Francisco, Marine World initiated ferry service. The Red & White Fleet launched commuter operations in September 1986, using two new high-speed catamarans: the M/V Dolphin and M/V Catamaran, each carrying 400 passengers at 28 knots. The City of Vallejo invested $1.2 million in a new ferry terminal and $1.7 million in a high-capacity float and gangway.

By late 1987, financial losses prompted Red & White to threaten service cuts. Community advocates, including Cindy Detweiler and the North Bay Water Commuters, mobilized support, leading to an October 1988 agreement that preserved limited commuter and midday runs. That year, Regional Measure 1 passed, raising bridge tolls by $1 to fund transit improvements, including ferries. The City of Vallejo assumed responsibility for the service, branding it Vallejo BayLink.

The Loma Prieta Earthquake and Its Aftermath

On Oct. 17, 1989, the 7.1-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake struck, collapsing a section of the Bay Bridge and disrupting transbay travel for over a month. Ferries became essential, with Vallejo routes carrying thousands of passengers daily. Within a week, three vessels were borrowed from Washington State Ferries to bolster service. Two weeks post-quake, North Bay ferries, including Vallejo, transported about 6,800 passengers during morning peaks, with all-day totals reaching 20,000. Even after the bridge reopened in mid-November, Vallejo ferries maintained the highest ridership among emergency services.

The disaster renewed interest in water transit. In June 1990, State Proposition 116 allocated $10 million for Vallejo ferry equipment. From 1990 to 1991, the City of Vallejo and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission developed a Regional and Vallejo Ferry Plan. In December 1991, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act provided $17 million for the North Bay Ferry Demonstration Program, including Vallejo.

Modern Developments and Current Operations

In spring 1994, Vallejo purchased the M/V Jet Cat Express, a 28-knot catamaran. On July 1, 1994, the Blue & Gold Fleet assumed operations. By October 1995, a contract was awarded for two 35-knot ferries. The M/V Intintoli arrived in March 1997, named for Mayor Anthony Intintoli. In 2004, the $11 million M/V Solano joined the fleet.

In 2011, the service integrated into the San Francisco Bay Ferry system under the Water Emergency Transportation Authority. A Mare Island stop was added in 2017. Today, four high-speed, ADA-accessible vessels operate year-round between Vallejo and the San Francisco Ferry Building. Ridership peaked at 1,056,342 in fiscal year 2017-18 but dipped to 783,379 in 2019-20 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Francisco Bay Ferry plans expansions to serve more communities, addressing traffic congestion and emergency preparedness.

Looking Forward

The Vallejo ferry route exemplifies resilience in Bay Area transportation. From steamships supporting naval operations to high-speed catamarans aiding post-disaster recovery, it continues to adapt. As freeway gridlock worsens, the route remains a sustainable alternative, blending historical legacy with future innovation.