City of Vallejo, CA, CA

The City of Vallejo parks system is a joint effort between the City’s Public Works Department and the independent Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD). Together, they deliver high-quality recreational spaces and services to residents and visitors alike—each with clearly defined roles.

Below are the locations that City of Vallejo manages outside of the GVRD parks and public spaces.

Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green

Location: 301 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, CA 94590

Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Green is one of Vallejo’s signature waterfront gathering places, located along Mare Island Way and offering open lawn areas, shoreline views, and community‑friendly outdoor space. With its scenic position overlooking the strait, the Green is widely used for festivals, family outings, public celebrations, and cultural events throughout the year. It serves as a welcoming landmark for both residents and visitors looking to enjoy Vallejo’s waterfront scenery. 
The site is cared for by the City of Vallejo Public Works Department, whose Maintenance Division oversees landscaping, irrigation, waste services, and infrastructure upkeep. Public Works also coordinates with event organizers and other city departments to ensure that the space remains safe, clean, and ready for public use during major waterfront festivals and community programs.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Location: 505 Santa Clara St. Vallejo, CA 94590

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is a downtown green space located at 505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo, CA 94590, situated directly behind the John F. Kennedy Library and adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Plaza. Vallejo commemorated the renaming of a city park in honor of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 2023.

Bay Area Ridge Trail (Vallejo Segments)

Location: Several locations around Vallejo

The Bay Area Ridge Trail passes through several scenic sections within Vallejo, offering elevated views of Carquinez Strait, Mare Island, and the city’s surrounding hillsides. Vallejo’s segments of this regional 400‑mile trail system include waterfront connectors, ridgeline paths, and links to the developing Vallejo Bluff Trail, all of which provide accessible recreation for hikers, cyclists, and families. These trails integrate Vallejo into an expansive regional network spanning multiple counties. The City’s Public Works Department collaborates on trail planning and engineering within city limits, while the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council oversees maps, volunteer work, and regional connectivity. Together, they keep Vallejo’s Ridge Trail segments welcoming, safe, and environmentally resilient.

Hiddenbrook Ridge Trail / Open Space

Location: 1300 Hiddenbrooke Pkwy, Vallejo, CA 94591

These rolling grasslands offer expansive views of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bays and the mountains that encircle them, from Mount Tamalpais to Mount Diablo. You have short steep climbs along this exposed trail and must return to Hiddenbrooke Parkway. During summer, take this trip on cool mornings; some spots are muddy after heavy rains.

Mare Island Heritage Preserve

Location: End of Azuar Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592

Located on Mare Island within the city limits of Vallejo, the Mare Island Heritage Preserve encompasses 124 acres of protected open space—expected to expand to nearly 300 acres as additional lands transfer from the Navy. This historic preserve blends natural landscapes with remnants of the former naval shipyard, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and historic structures. Public Works manages safety, access, and restoration efforts and oversees cleanup, fire recovery, and visitor caps to protect the natural and historic resources. The Mare Island Heritage Trust supplements these efforts through guided tours, wildlife education, conservation advocacy, and annual events such as Osprey Days. Together, the City and the Trust help preserve one of Vallejo’s most culturally and ecologically significant open-space destinations.

Independence Park

Location: 121 Maine St, Vallejo, CA 94590

Independence Park is a 5.7-acre urban waterfront park situated along Curtola Parkway, overlooking the Napa River and Mare Island. It serves as a peaceful riverside retreat for residents and visitors, featuring well-maintained walking paths, open lawns, seating areas, picnic spots, fishing on the adjacent pier, and dog-friendly zones. The park also contains historical elements and waterfront views, offering a refreshing setting for relaxation, community strolls, or sunset gatherings.

San Pablo Bay Trail, Mare Island

Location: Mare Island - Vallejo, CA

Mare Island's San Pablo Bay Trail is an oasis in the midst of the chaos. Walking on the beautifully maintained trails is a pleasure. Along the 1.8 mile main trail occasional benches provide places to savor fantastic views of San Pablo Bay, and Mare Island is an exceptional birdwatching hotspot. Expect to see loads of common ducks, geese, and local birds, plus migrants in the winter and some special natives.

From the solitary trailhead one path loops around a fenced area and then meets a second, smaller looping path. Both loop arms head west and meet the single Hikers on path along fencelinedead-end trail that runs south to a viewpoint. A visit here can be a short jaunt out to the first bay view bench, the out and back described below, or anything in between.

Vallejo Boat Ramp (Currently Closed)

Location: 121 Maine St, Vallejo, CA 94590

The public Vallejo Launch Boat Ramp, operated by California State Parks and under local oversight by the City of Vallejo, provides access to the Mare Island Strait via Curtola Parkway. Located at 139 Curtola Parkway, this ramp is open year-round for diverse watercraft including vessels, kayaks, and small boats.

City Public Works handles ongoing maintenance of the ramp and adjacent facilities—such as restrooms, parking lots, safety railings, and shoreline environmental services—while the Parks division of California State Parks ensures regulatory compliance and coordinates boating access programs.