things to do in Sausalito

Visit Sausalito: A Charming Coastal City on the San Francisco Bay

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The city we will talk about today is in California, a great state with countless routes, classic and super famous places, as well as lesser-known but no less fascinating destinations. Today we go to the town of Sausalito in Northwest California. It was once a fishing village, then it was converted into a shipyard during the Second World War and later it became a popular tourist destination. Let’s discover this city and the attractions in this place that is so famous that it has earned the title of Portofino of California

Where is Sausalito?

Sausalito is in the San Francisco Bay Area. After you cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the first exit north leads right to Sausalito, in Marin County, a county that includes the Pacific Ocean, hills, and redwoods of Muir Woods.

Marin County is one of the most affluent areas of the United States. Sausalito (which has about 7,000 inhabitants) is a classic excursion from the City by the Bay and can certainly be combined with other attractions in Northern California.

How to Get to Sausalito from San Francisco

how to get to sausalito from san francisco

The nearest airport to Sausalito is the San Francisco International Airport. From downtown San Francisco, it takes about 25 minutes by car along US-101. Meanwhile, to reach Sausalito from Sacramento, the capital of California, it is a 1 hour and 30 minute drive on I-80 E, and from Los Angeles you are looking at a 6-hour drive along I-5 N.

Many visitors who are in San Francisco decide to ride a bike to Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge, but others opt for the scenic ferry, or rely on guided tours. Of course, many choose to drive.

But one thing is certain, whatever way you choose to reach Sausalito, as soon as you enter the city, you will be surrounded by green hills dotted with picturesque houses on one side and the bay on the other with its waterfront. The promenade, which starts at Richardson Street, is part of Bridgeway, the street that offers a magnificent view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Sausalito overlooks Richardson Bay, which is 20 feet deep.

Ferries from San Francisco to Sausalito

There are 2 main places to take the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito: Pier 41 (near Pier 39) and the Ferry Building, in Embarcadero. Both services arrive (and depart) in Sausalito at the terminal at the intersection of Humboldt Street and Anchor Street.

The cost of this service is on average $13 (one way) and the duration of the trip is variable depending on the season, company, and individual ferry ride. The best thing is to inquire first here and here.

Bicycles can also be taken on ferries, which is why they are often used by those who cross the Golden Gate Bridge by bike and do not want to return by the same route.

Bike from San Francisco to Sausalito

Crossing the Golden Gate by bike is definitely a great experience and the effort of the crossing can be somehow reduced by renting an electric bike and using the ferry mentioned above on the way back. Here you find some tips on renting a bike in San Francisco.

How to Get to Sausalito from San Francisco by Bus

To get around Marin County, you can use the Marin Transit Bus Service and the Golden Gate Transit. The latter is probably the better of the two options, since the 30 bus will take you right to the heart of Sausalito.

From San Francisco to Sausalito by car

Downtown San Francisco is about 9 miles from Sausalito and the journey includes a pleasant drive on the Golden Gate Bridge. The only problem you will face is the high cost of parking. If you choose to travel around the city by car, here are some tips that could be useful:

Tour of Sausalito

sausalito toursAs I mentioned above, there are some organized tours of Sausalito. Below there are combined packages that include the main attractions around San Francisco and by accumulating attractions, they make it easier to get around and to save money. Here are the 2 most popular tours:

All organized tours of Sausalito

Things to Do in Sausalito: A Quiet Coastal City Full of Charm

things to do in sausalitoSausalito is the ideal place to relax, where you may see fishermen engaging in their favorite activity in front of the unusual Bill Dan Balancing Rocks along the Municipal Fishing Pier. The cars that pass behind the fishermen and visitors have kayaks and surfboards on the roof, ideal for those who practice these sports, but along this street, there are also those who just want to relax and rest on benches or stroll and shop while watching the bustling commercial activities. Here you can find some of the most popular restaurants that are renowned both for food and views as well as various shops along the cobblestone sidewalks.

The sunset is indescribable; its magical colors illuminate the landscape, and the sun’s rays reflect on the water and touch everything in sight. Early risers should also try to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. The ideal spot to see an even more enchanting panorama is the promenade where you can see the typical fog of the bay envelope, glide over, and then reveal the landscape.

It is incredible to fly over the bay when it is surrounded by fog. If you are arriving or departing from the airport in San Francisco, you may happen to fly above the Golden Gate Bridge and it is remarkable to see the fog form around or vanish from the bridge.

attractions in sausalitoContinue north along the waterfront near the ferry pier (at the intersection of Humboldt St and Anchor St), and you will enter downtown Sausalito, where you are greeted by the Viña del Mar Park, named after Sausalito’s sister city in Chile. The park is small, triangular, and tree-lined and it is the best known and photographed park in the city. It is famous for its fountain and two stone statues representing elephants from the Expo held in nearby San Francisco in 1915.

Downtown Sausalito is full of specialty shops and is a shopping paradise for those seeking unique items, including clothing, leather, ceramics, and wines. As you leave downtown and continue up the waterfront, you’ll find the historic Yacht Club (100 Humboldt Ave), founded in 1942, where courses, competitions, and boat trips are held regularly. Further north past the club, there is the scenic Yacht Harbor with countless different types of boats.

Sailing and Houseboats in Sausalito

houseboats in sausalitoLife at sea plays an important role for the community and visitors alike, so we would like to recommend three activities to enjoy the bay and the ocean by boat. Besides providing sailing lessons, Modern Sailing Lessons (2310 Marinship Way) also gives tours of the San Francisco Bay guided by a captain.

Another possibility to admire San Francisco Bay on the water is through the field experience by 5 Star Yacht (85 Liberty Ship Way). You can sail in a group or customize the tour for a private event. In each of the three-story yachts, there is the main living room with a kitchenette, a master bedroom, and catering on request. San Francisco Bay Adventures is an experienced water adventure agency. You can choose from catamarans, yachts, boats, and ships, and you can admire whales and sharks, tour around the Golden Gate Bridge, watch the sunset on a cruise, or rent a boat for private events such as weddings or photo reportage.

Selection of tours of the bay from Sausalito

In the bay, in addition to nautical vehicles of various kinds, there are almost 500 houseboats that are customized (one was made to look like the Taj Mahal). What motivates people to build houseboats here is the possibility to live even more in tune with the environment, the water, the ocean, and the beautiful bay.

places to visit in SausalitoIn September, the Sausalito Floating Homes Tour allows you to visit about twenty of these unique houses. The tour costs $ 50 per person and must be booked in advance. Alternatively, there is the Historic Sausalito Houseboat Walking Tour. On this tour, you will be accompanied by a professional and helpful guide.

The Richardson Bay Marina (100 Gate 6 Rd) is the ideal place to sail or simply observe marine life and the panorama of the bay filled with boats. Near the Marina, shopping enthusiasts can head to the Marin Gateway Shopping Center (190 Donahue St) and there is even a Starbucks.

Old Town Sausalito and The Hill

old town sausalitoThe area south of Sausalito called Old Town is the original whale fishing village. The hill in the area where the first houses and streets of Sausalito were built was exploited to extract manganese in the mid-1800s. Now it is a residential area with a restaurant and a market. North St, East St, West St, and South St marked the boundaries of Sausalito more than a century ago. Here in Sausalito, people are very friendly. Often in the afternoons, a strong wind blows along the narrow valley.

The hilly area of Sausalito referred to as The Hill is the most prestigious part of Sausalito. You can find many houses of wealthy people with a beautiful view of the bay, but also more affordable houses inhabited by the middle class.

There are some places on the east bank of the peninsula that are worth mentioning. Whether you are traveling with children or without children, the Marine Mammal Center (200 Bunker Rd-Fort Cronkite) is a wonderful place dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitation, and scientific research to safeguard marine life (there is even the possibility to adopt seals!).

Other scenic spots in Sausalito are Vista Point (Golden Gate National Recreation Area US 101) and Rodeo Beach (at the end of Mitchell Rd between Sausalito and Mill Valley). It is a strip of beach where it is possible to enjoy the beauty of the ocean, spot dolphins, relax, or engage in recreational activities.

Events in Sausalito

sausalito eventsWe would like to tell you about some events that take place in Sausalito, starting with the celebration of July 4th. The event commences with the morning parade that starts in Old Town Sausalito along Second St and Main St, and ends at Dunphy Park along the waterfront near City Hall. There is always a band playing to liven up the scene. After the parade in the park, there is a picnic with music and games for everyone. In the evening, you can watch the fireworks at Gabrielson Park between Humboldt Ave and Anchor St next to the ferry pier. In the evening, there is also live music.

On Labor Day weekend, there is the Art Festival (2400 Bridgeway – waterfront), a prestigious event that celebrates art in all its forms. Admission is subject to a fee and tickets can be purchased online or directly at the festival. In addition to food, wine, and booths, more than 260 international artists exhibit works of art while talented musicians perform on the three stages rock, pop, folk, swing, blues, jazz, and classical music.

Then, if you are here on October 31st, you should attend the Halloween Parade. In the parade that takes place along Caledonia Street, there are monsters, skeletons, witches, ghosts, and masked figures of all kinds. The dog competition is a fun opportunity for dogs to participate in a costume contest. The city hall building is transformed into a haunted house and kids can trick or treat in Robin Sweeny Park.

There are also Christmas events celebrated here. You can attend Breakfast with Santa at the Sausalito Yacht Club, near the ferry pier. Also at Christmas time, the Sausalito Winterfest takes place on the waterfront. You can watch the impressive parade of illuminated boats as well as fireworks, or participate in a Hollywood-style Christmas party or a charity race.

Where to Eat in Sausalito?

There are several restaurants in Sausalito and there are a few that we would like to recommend. The Spinnaker (100 Spinnaker Dr), thanks to its location on a pier directly on the water, can boast a great panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay, the skyline of “Frisco”, and the waterfront of Sausalito. In order for customers to better enjoy the view, glass floor to ceiling windows have been installed. The menu includes meat and seafood but also pasta, sandwiches, vegetarian food, and excellent desserts and wines.

The Trident (558 Bridgeway) overlooks Richardson Bay and has a “stellar” past.  Actor Robin Williams worked as a teenager as an assistant waiter under the first manager, while Woody Allen shot scenes from the movie Try Again, Sam and Clint Eastwood was a regular customer at the bar. After concerts in 1972 and 1975, the Rolling Stones organized private parties at the club which at the time represented for San Francisco what Studio 54 was for New York City. Since then times have changed. Now customers can enjoy good live music on Saturdays. The menu offers excellent seafood and meat dishes.

Also on the bay, Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib (1200 Bridgeway) serves meat, fish, pasta, salad, and desserts. Customers can sit comfortably inside or on an outdoor patio for their meal. For a California-Mexican fusion displayed in the décor and in the menu, the right place is Saylor’s (2009 Bridgeway) where chef and owner Sean Saylor is personally committed to satisfying his guests. A very nice feature, in our opinion, is the possibility to bring your own fish and have it cooked the way you prefer. Then, to accompany the dish, Saylor’s offers sauces and vegetables. In addition to the interior part of the restaurant, there is a shady patio where dogs are welcome.

Lovers of Japanese cuisine and a relaxing dining experience should check out Sushi Ran (107 Caledonia St), one of the best Japanese restaurants in the United States and one of the most popular in the San Francisco Bay Area. The key factors that make the quality so great are the use of fresh fish and the best seasonal ingredients.  There are also vegetarian dishes on the menu. Sushi Ran offers an interesting selection of wines and sake, the typical Japanese alcoholic beverage obtained from the fermentation of rice. The restaurant also has a catering business.

You can go to Smitty’s Bar (214 Caledonia St) to spend a carefree evening in a welcoming atmosphere. You can relax with a drink, strictly for those 21 years old and up (bring an ID with you. Customers are usually required to present one), play pool, darts, and shuffleboard. Sports fans can enjoy watching games, matches, and competitions on television… oh yes, just as if you were at home.

Where to Stay in Sausalito and in the Surrounding Area

best places to stay in sausalito
Sausalito Hotels

Most likely, if you’re going to visit Sausalito, it’s because you’ll have chosen to spend a few days on vacation in San Francisco and then spend the night there. Therefore, we would like to invite you to read our guide on where to stay in San Francisco. In any case, staying in Sausalito can be a very special experience and can be an unconventional (and quite expensive) base to visit the most famous city nearby.

In Sausalito, there are refined hotels and we’d like to point out a few. Near the Viña del Mar park is located, since 1915, the Hotel Sausalito (16 El Portal) with its 16 luxurious rooms and suites. The rooms are decorated by local artists and the décor recreates the atmosphere of the French Riviera. The hotel does not have parking spaces, but you can park your vehicle in a public garage for $20 a day.

Prices and availability

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa (801 Bridgeway) is an elegant Victorian residence with patio and spa built in 1885. It was renovated to give a modern touch. It is possible to book the entire villa, use it for meetings, or celebrate weddings. From here, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape.

Prices and availability

Luxury abounds at Cavallo Point Lodge (601 Murray Circle), where you can choose to stay in rooms with a more modern touch or historical charm. Depending on the room you stay in, you have a view of the bay, the Hill, or San Francisco.

Prices and availability

If you want cheaper accommodations, we recommend staying overnight in Marin County, for example, in Mill Valley, home of the Muir Woods, or in San Rafael, the capital of the county. Another option, as I just mentioned, is to stay in San Francisco, where there are multiple options.

Our tips on where to stay in San Francisco


Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

fam-bendandi
Marianna Licia e Paolo

There are two passions that we share: photography and traveling, especially in the United States.

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