Shopping And Waterfront Restaurants
Just a few steps away from the ferry landing, the historic downtown of Sausalito invites visitors to go for a leisurely stroll and admire the views from a bench at the water’s edge. Tourists delight in Sausalito’s charming village ambiance and serene seaside setting, and many of the downtown buildings are picture-perfect old Victorians painted in pastel colors.
Although the town is small, it is well prepared to welcome the crowds of visitors that arrive on summer weekends. The main drag of Sausalito, Bridgeway, is near the ferry harbor which has many waterfront restaurants, cafés, candy shops, ice-cream parlors, art galleries, and touristy boutiques.
A stroll on one of Sausalito’s wooden boardwalks is another way to enjoy the scenery. The Southern Boardwalk is near Sausalito’s Old Town and is famous for its appearance in a 1947 film starring Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, among other films. The Northern Boardwalk stretches along the yacht harbors near downtown, and is close to many unique shops.
San Francisco Bay/delta Model
Built in 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bay Model is a 3-D representation of San Francisco Bay. It was designed to test the impact of proposed changes to the bay and its waterways, by simulating tides, currents, and river inflows.
This enormous model is 400 feet wide by 320 feet long and depicts every area of the San Francisco Bay and Delta from the Pacific Ocean to Sacramento. The model uses pumping systems to recreate the 24-hour tidal cycle in less than 15 minutes.
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers now uses computer-based models, and the Bay Model has become an educational facility open to the public. Interactive exhibits teach visitors about the bay and its hydrologic features.
A visitor center offers educational programs, workshops, and events. Guided tours are available by reservation for groups of 10 or more people.
Address: 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California
Casa Madrona Hotel And Spa
Address: 801 Bridgeway
Pets allowedNon-smoking throughoutRestaurantFace masks for guests availableFacilities for disabled guestsIroning serviceDelivered food is securely coveredLinens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines
Hotel Sausalito in El Portal is an eclectic boutique hotel with walls featuring a local artists renderings of Impressionist masterpieces. This hotel has 14 air-conditioned rooms with antique furnishings and huge Victorian windows that allow plenty of natural light. Most of the rooms come with a whirlpool tub, while the two suites on site come with a balcony offering stunning views of the Bay.
The hotel has been in the hospitality business since 1915, but its definition of comfort is up to date. Theres free wireless internet access, and a 24-hour front desk to attend to your every need. Aside from excellent restaurants, galleries, and shops, the immediate vicinity is teeming with hiking and biking trails.
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Gourmet Food & Wine Tours
When you are visiting a famous wine producing area, it makes sense to combine a tour of the area with some gourmet meals followed by great wine tasting. Gourmet Food and Wine Tours offers 1 town, 3 hours, and 4 farm-to-table courses, combined with stories told by a knowledgeable local guide. One of their most popular tours is the 3.5-hour Sausalito Food Tour on Bridgeway, overlooking the bay and offering endless views of the ocean. The tour includes a ferry or water taxi from San Francisco, a farm-to-table tasting of Italian or Napa varietals wines, and four-course gourmet meals in top Bay Area restaurants with fantastic views of Angel Island, Tiburon, and Alcatraz.
Phone: 415-996-3663
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Plaza Via Del Mar Fountain And Park
Centrally located in downtown Sausalito, this small Spanish-feeling plaza boasts plenty of benches and grassy areas to just sit and relax. Enjoy the surroundings, people watch, admire the monumental fountain, and take a look at the iconic elephant statues.
The park and its surroundings are downright beautiful, with palm trees dotting the triangular-shaped square. Grab a snack, and just spend a few moments relaxing here.
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Big Sur To Sausalito Road Trip Planner
Here’s a sample itinerary for a drive from Big Sur to Sausalito. If you’re planning a road trip to Sausalito, you can research locations to stop along the way.Make sure you check road conditionsto double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops. Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on themost talked about places recommended by Trippy members.
9:00 am start in Big Surdrive for about 47 minutes
stay for about 2 hours and leave at 11:47 amdrive for about 40 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:27 pmdrive for about 45 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:12 pmdrive for about 49 minutes
stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:01 pmdrive for about 40 minutes
stay for about 2 hours and leave at 7:41 pmdrive for about 23 minutes
8:04 pm arrive in Sausalito
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Wondering what to do in Sausalito with kids?! This suggestion is for all of you bringing along your kiddos! The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor facility that will offer tons of fun for kids 1-8ish.
The unique museum features hands-on art and science exhibits, workshops, cultural performances, and festivals. Other areas include nature labs , design areas, research tools, musical instruments, and science tools so definitely a unique space for kids who like to work with their hands! And plus, theres great views of the Golden Gate Bridge!
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Walk Along The Bridgeway Promenade And Sausalito Boardwalks
Yes, Sausalito boasts numerous places to stretch your legs! Any visit to this charming seaside town calls for long waterfront walks on the Bridgeway Promenade and Sausalito Boardwalk. Besides all the locally owned shops and restaurants youll find along the way, there are absolutely fantastic views of the San Francisco Bay and Angel Island.
Youll also most likely encounter a man balancing rocks , the bronze sea lion statue , and quite possibly a few seals swimming in the bay.
You have two directions to walk: north towards the marinas with Mt. Tam in the distance, or south towards the bay with the city skyline in the background. Both are equally as stunning, but if you want to catch the perfect panorama of San Francisco, be sure to head past Excelsior Lane.
Be sure to walk far enough to take photos of the colorful houses in the distance in the nearby mountains youll think you were transplanted to Italy for a hot second!
Sausalito Inn And Suites
Sausalito Inn and Suites is a great choice for discount lodging, it can help you trim your trip expenses, Inn and Suites give you more hotel savings & alternative accommodations.Sausalito has some very nice Bead and Breakfast options like Express Inn, with amazing amenities like Coffeemaker and Free Wireless Internet .You don’t have to stay at a budget hotel to enjoy discounts or Value.Some of these Inn and Suites offers free nights and special packages for various bookings.
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Best Things To Do In Sausalito California
Sausalito is a charming coastal town in Marin County, just across the Golden Gate Strait from San Francisco. Sausalito is known for its wonderful views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge as well as for its historic Richardson Bay houseboat community, which was built after WWII by artists and other free spirits. The city hosts the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers functioning hydraulic model of the Bay Area. Educational Tall Ship is a project run by volunteers that recreates a historic tall ship in a sustainable way for the education of local schoolchildren. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed.
Us Army Corps Of Engineers Bay Model
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model is a working scale hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta located in Sausalito, California. The bay model is located in the visitor center in Sausalito, an education center managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and is fully accessible to the public. The purpose of the model is to provide scientists, visitors, and educators interested in San Francisco Bay with a fascinating opportunity to see the entire bay-delta system in one place. Group tours are welcome and can be guided depending on their technical level. The bay model is fully operational, but it is not used any more for scientific research but rather for general public and educational courses about Bay hydrology.
2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, 415-289-3007
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Grand Luxury Sausalito Hotels
When you want the best amenities and the most comfort in your Sausalito hotel you have plenty of luxury options.Few of the best and most expensive hotels or resorts in Sausalito area Orchard Garden Hotel, Hotel Spero and Parc 55 San Francisco – A Hilton Hotel.Which are located in near landmark Audium, and San Francisco Mint.Most of these upscale boutique hotel choices are of 4 star and 5 star rating with guest rooms and suites with finest furnishings and decor.Often near tourist activities, offering access to both nearby attractions and public transit.
Heading To San Francisco And Looking For The Best Things To Do In Sausalito Keep Reading For Not Only What To Do In Sausalito But For Plenty Of Restaurant Recommendations Sausalito Tours And Other Not To Miss Hot Spots
Looking for a fun escape from the SF Bay? Take the ferry over to Sausalito, a chic Mediterranean-feeling coastal town only a few minutes away from the bustling city. You could easily spend a whole day or weekend here!
This quaint and historic area is full of exquisite restaurants and sweeping bay views , and youll find numerous things to do in Sausalito any time of year. Whenever were looking for an easy day trip full of relaxation and scrumptious food, we always find ourselves driving over the bridge to Sausalito.
And now that Im writing about this picturesque location, I think another return trip is in order!
In my opinion, Sausalito is one of the prettiest towns in the Bay Area.
The area gets pretty busy, but for good reason. Here youll find waterfront restaurants , cute nautical themed shops, and the popular ice cream shop, Lapperts. Some even dub it Californias Amalfi coast, and while it IS downright beautiful, Im not so sure anything can compare to that famous coastline in Italy.
I strongly urge you to pick up a cone of your favorite flavor and sit in Gabrielson Park watching the sail boats go by. You can take a stroll along the historic waterfront, rent bikes, or even kayak around the bay. Sausalito surely is the place to be on warm, sunny days.
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Day Trip To Tennessee Valley
An offshoot of the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just five miles from Sausalito, the Tennessee Valley has a 1.7-mile nature walk to Tennessee Beach. The gentle trail begins at the parking area and is mostly flat the entire way, making the beach accessible to most visitors.
Tennessee Valley is a peaceful nature site known for its abundant bird life and lush vegetation and is home to three camping areas. In springtime, this is a wonderful place to see wildflowers such as the California poppy, buttercups, and lupine.
For more challenging hikes, other trails lead up into the hills above Tennessee Valley.
Day Trip To Muir Woods
This federally protected forest, 14 miles north of Sausalito, is one of the last remnants of the redwoods forests that once covered much of the Northern California coastal valleys. Muir Woods National Monument is the only remaining “old-growth” forest in the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the few remaining in the world.
Magnificent ancient redwood trees thrive here in the cool, misty coastal environment. With auburn-hued trunks and leafy canopies, these majestic giants soar to over 200 feet in height and their crowns peak above the fog to reach the sun. Wildflowers, bay laurels, and sword ferns also flourish in this lush, shady primeval forest.
Muir Woods has six miles of well-groomed hiking trails, which may be approached in smaller loop walks. Hikers may take the Redwood Creek Trail from Muir Woods all the way down to Muir Beach, a small sheltered sandy beach with picnic tables and hiking paths overlooking the ocean. During the winter , visitors sometimes spot migrating whales off the coast of Muir Beach.
For those seeking an even more secluded retreat in nature, the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center is tucked away on a quiet hillside about three miles from the Muir Woods National Monument. The center has its own small organic farm and offers overnight accommodations, meditation classes, dharma talks, and other programs in the Buddhist tradition.
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Where To Stay In Sausalito
Sure, Sausalito can be visited as an easy day trip from San Francisco , but if you want to see the area in its best light without all the heaps of visitors, plan to spend the night in town. Yes, youll unfortunately pay top dollar, but we already knew this much like the rest of SF, Sausalito isnt a budget town.
The Gables Inn Sausalito: Polished lodging in a refind historic hotel offering free WiFi & continental breakfast, plus evening wine receptions. Key features: 5 minutes from the Sausalito ferry terminal, designer toiletries, in-room fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, patios/balconies, and city skylines
Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa: Elegant modern lodging in an 1885 mansion with a full-service spa & an upscale Italian restaurant. Key features: ocean views, suites with separate living areas, fireplaces, balconies, full-service spa with steam room and fitness center, and classic Italian restaurant on-site
Hotel Sausalito & Suites: Luxe rooms & suites in a mission-style boutique hotel with harbor & park views, plus free WiFi. Key features: 1-minute walk from ferry terminal, stained glass windows, views of Vina Del Mar park and harbor, outdoor seating deck, complimentary coffee and breakfast pastries in cafe
Find more hotels and accommodation options in Sausalito here.
Other Attractions near Sausalito
Tiburon, Muir Woods. Fort Baker, Vista Point, Battery Spencer/Hawk Hill, Marine Mammal Center, & Rodeo Beach
How To Get To Sausalito:
You basically have two options when figuring out how to get to Sausalito from San Francisco. Sausalito is located a bit north of the city in Marin County, on the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
You can either 1) drive over the Golden Gate Bridge from SF or 2) take the ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito.
The drive should take approximately 30-45 minutes depending on traffic and where youre coming from within the city, while the ferry is roughly 30 minutes. If youre taking one of the many Sausalito tours offered below, your transportation may be included so be sure to check that out!
More info on the two options below:
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Getting To Sausalito California
Getting to Sausalito is pretty easy to reach from San Francisco via ferry or by car. One of the ferries to Sausalito goes from Pier 39/Pier 41 at tourist-central Fishermans Wharf. The ferry conveniently stops at Sausalitos main thoroughfare, Bridgeway.
The San Francisco Sausalito ferry
Alternatively if you are driving, Sausalito is the first stop across the San Francisco Bay after the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped off on our way out of San Francisco to Muir Woods and further on to Napa Valley.
Next time youre in San Francisco or the Bay Area, what about going on a Sausalito day tripwith the family? Right over the bay from San Francisco, this town offers plenty to doincluding checking out the Sausalito houseboats and going wine tasting. Discover 5 funthings to do in Sausalito on this mini Sausalito guide , and check out why this town is the perfect escape from San Francisco.#sausalito #bayarea #sanfrancisco #daytrip
Discover 5 Fun things to do in Sausalito California, which is right over the bay fromSan Francisco. This what to do in Sausalito guide includes suggestions on where toeat in Sausalito with kids and Sausalito tips for spending a great Sausalito day tripwith the family. #sausalito #california #sanfrancisco
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Inn Above Tide Restaurant & Lounge
Located on the waterfront in downtown Sausalito, this hotel offers modern accommodations along with panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from guest rooms and suites that come equipped with fireplaces and balconies or patios for enjoying fresh air and water views.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning at the inns restaurant, which also serves lunch and dinner daily as well as Sunday brunch during peak season .
Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar or relax by the fireplace in the lounge area while taking in scenic views of San Francisco Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Richardson Bay.
Complimentary wireless Internet access is available throughout the inn as well as parking for registered guests only.
Other amenities include complimentary newspapers delivered to guestrooms daily an outdoor seasonal heated swimming pool concierge services room service laundry facilities tours/ticket assistance ATM machine meeting facilities for up to 60 people fax services a 24-hour front desk offering concierge services including luggage storage/shipping assistance gift shop and more!
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