City (pop., 2000: 116,760), western California, U.S. It is located on San Pablo Bay, near Oakland .
Settled in 1850, it served as the state capital for seven days in January 1852 and for a month in 1853. The Mare Island Naval Shipyard (established 1854, now closed) ensured the city's survival; area military installations are important to the economy. It is home to the California Maritime Academy (founded 1929).