I’m sitting on it right now. I go to the waterfront to board it, and I pick it back up in San Francisco at the pier for the return trip. What is it? It’s the Baylink Ferry, that’s what it is.

There was a method to the madness of settling in Vallejo. I figured I could get the best of both worlds - affordable housing, and a one-shot ride to the big city if I wanted to visit, or if I started working there.

After seven years of living in Vallejo, I did eventually end up working in San Francisco. I love taking the ferry to work. I used to make the 35 or so mile drive to San Ramon everyday, and I can tell you, it was a terror. Let’s see, I’d cross the Benicia Bridge, stop and go until I reached the highway 24 interchange, or whatever they call it, and from there it was uphill battle until I passed Blackhawk. Most of the jobs I held in the past few years ended up being in San Ramon, until I just couldn’t take the commute another year. I tried working Solano county, and needless to say after putting up with unimaginable work situations, I figured it was time to venture outside of Vallejo.

The Vallejo -San Francisco ferry is the sleep-deprived cube-dweller’s dream. I simply step on, go upstairs (I get motion sick very easily and the ride upstairs is a little nicer), find a seat. The boat pulls away from the dock, and before I know it my head is rolling back and forth because I am, you guessed it, sound asleep.

Most of the time I wake up in enough time to jump up and off-board, grab a cup of caffeine and I’m just like new until the evening commute.

The ferry ride and system does not exist without its flaws. There’s this small ferry, which reminds me somewhat of those diagrams of slave ships? Now, this is certainly not something to joke about, because I know nothing can compare to that harrowing experience. But, bear with me here. This ferry is avoided well by regular commuters, and after a few rides, anyone would understand. It’s a great ride if you are riding with say 200 of your closest friends and you really want to get closer, or if you are the only person riding on the boat. It goes by the name ‘Vallejo’, ironically enough. More bad juju? I’ll let you be the judge.

There’s also the 200 bus which is a great option as well if you just don’t want to ride the ferry. I frequent it in the mornings, and have actually gotten to know a couple of people who are pretty nice.

Back to the ferry flaws. Recently the fare was jacked up quite a bit, and at not the best time, with gas prices skyrocketing and when the economy started tanking. I guess the lost revenues woke folks up because the fares came back down to a fairly reasonable amount, even though the ridership still remains low to this day.

Oh well, more room for me. Generally I think the ferry system is one of the best things Vallejo has going for itself and I would advise officials to do whatever they can to keep it before Benicia reconsiders and starts lobbying for service. If they could take state capitol status from Vallejo in the 1800’s, anything is possible, believe me.