The State - News from June 16, 1986

The $50-million, 160-acre Marine World/Africa USA theme park opens the doors to its new home in Vallejo today with predictions it will draw about 1.5 million visitors each year. “It’s the greatest shot in the arm this community has ever had,” said Dave Beronio, a retired newspaper editor and Vallejo native. “Marine World is helping to awaken a sleeping giant,” said Les Dabritz of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce. “The Red & White fleet will be running a ferry here, the first ferry service we’ve had since the early ‘30s.” Vallejo city fathers courted Marine World for three years before it agreed last September to move to the northeast side of San Francisco Bay from Redwood City. The wild animal theme park had been looking for a larger home since 1980, when its former owners decided to replace it with with an office complex.