The 16 + Best Things to do in Sausalito – A Local’s Guide

Are you curious about all the things to do in Sausalito?

Ever since I moved to San Francisco, decades ago, I’ve been fascinated by Sausalito, the little town on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sausalito, and its European charm, make it a must see destination for visitors to San Francisco. Because of its distinct beauty, hillside homes, rich history, and very unique culture, Sausalito is a one of a kind destination. The blending of upscale lifestyles with the artistic, bohemian community make Sausalito unlike anywhere else.

I feel as though Sausalito has done a really great job of maintaining its off-the-beaten-track vibe and small town community. Visitors come to Sausalito for the iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline, but stay for all the wonderful things to see and do!

Are you ready? Let’s Go!

Short on Time? Here’s my top 5 Must See List:

• Walk the Bridgeway Promenade
• Tour the Floating Homes communities
• Walk the Boardwalks along the Marina
• Have clam chowder and fish & chips
• Sit in Gabrielson Park with an ice cream cone

Here are the Fun 16 + Things to do in
Sausalito

#1 Walk The Bridgeway Promenade

The Sausalito Bridgeway Promenade runs 0.4 miles along the water, from Richardson Street to Princess Street. This is a paved sidewalk with magnificent views of San Francisco across the bay and the hills of Sausalito across the street. This stretch has access to plenty of waterfront restaurants and shops.

Bridgeway from Richardson Street to Princess

#2 Walk The Sausalito Yacht Harbor Boardwalk

On the north end of downtown is a 0.3 mile stretch of boardwalk that runs from the Spinnaker Point to the Yacht Harbor and Johnson Street. This gorgeous walk takes you along the marina with some of the most beautiful boats you’ve ever seen.

Boardwalk from Spinnaker to Johnson Street

#3 Walk The Tiffany Beach Boardwalk

On the south end of Sausalito is a stretch called Tiffany Beach that has a shorter stretch of boardwalk. Enjoy the views of the hillside and what is considered Old Town Sausalito or Hurricane Gulch. This is where the first homes were built along the area of Whaler’s Cove and is a quieter part of town with fewer tourists. 

Boardwalk along Tiffany Beach

#4 See the Iconic Sea Lion

At a curve along 558 Bridgeway, perched on a rock is a beloved symbol of Sausalito, a bronze statue of a sea lion created in 1957 by artist Al Sybrian. This statue has been toppled by waves and storms several times over the years and most recently in 2023. Therefore, it has since been shored up properly near the spot where William Randolf Hearst started to build a mansion. 

558 Bridgeway Street

#5 The Original Lappert’s Ice Cream

Home of the first Lappert’s Ice Cream at 815 Bridgeway is this staple of Sausalito. Ice cream is always a good idea, and Lappert’s is creamy and delish!

815 Bridgeway Street

#6 Take Photos in Viña del Mar Park

In the heart of downtown Sausalito is the historic Viña del Mar Park and its fountain honoring Sausalito’s sister city of Viña del Mar, Chili. In 1915, the Panama Pacific Fair in San Francisco let people know that San Francisco had recovered from the 1906 earthquake. After the fair, the fountain and elephant statues were relocated to Sausalito to preserve them. Today, you can’t go anywhere in Sausalito without passing by these beautiful treasures from that era.
Bring your camera!

The intersection of Excelsior Lane

#7 Picnic in Gabrielson Park

Gabrielson Park is at Humboldt Avenue and Anchor Street, close to the water. This is Sausalito’s favorite public park for relaxing, picnicking, and eating your Lappert’s ice cream cone. I recommend you come here for views of Angel Island and the Bay Bridge, as well as summer concerts.

Humboldt Avenue and Anchor Street

#8 Shop on Caledonia Street

Parallel to the busy Bridgeway Street is the more quiet Caledonia Street. Caledonia is known as the shopping district for locals. This “off the path” street has much less of a tourist vibe, but still has lovely shops, galleries, and restaurants along its six block stretch.

Parallel to Bridgeway Street

#9 Tour the Famous Floating Homes

Schedule a Houseboat Tour Here!

Sausalito is probably most known for its houseboat or floating home communities. There are over 500 floating homes in Sausalito along its shores and you can walk by and get a glimpse of life on a houseboat. You’ll see that some of the homes are very unusual, colorful, and artistic and others are more basic, but all have a charm that is unique to Sausalito.

Why live in a houseboat?

After many San Francisco homes were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, many people took to living on the water. Then, after World War II, when the shipyard closed in Sausalito, the abandoned ships and debris were perfect for people to use for creating homes.

Beginning in the 1940’s Sausalito became a destination for writers, artists, and then later beatniks and hippies. Attracted to the bohemian or alternative lifestyle, they began to live in the fisherman shacks and build houseboats. In the 1990’s, after much turmoil and fighting for their survival, the floating homes were brought up to code, and docks were made safer.

The floating homes are now considered to be actual property and therefore, the owners pay taxes like any resident of Sausalito. That community has grown very large. They have landside gardens, mailboxes, docks, and decks, and are delightful to explore. Take a Self Guided tour or go with a local guide who knows all the history!

Where to find the Floating Homes?

One of the most inspired of the floating homes is the Taj Mahal Houseboat. Docked at the end of a boardwalk near the intersection of Bridgeway and Johnson Streets. This is a bit closer to downtown than the other floating home communities.

There are several clusters or communities at the northern end of town. Look for:
Gate 5 Road – Liberty Dock, Issaquah Dock
South 40 Dock and Main Dock    
Gate 6 Road – Waldo Point Harbor 

#10 Sausalito Historical Society Ice House Museum

At 780 Bridgeway, basically in the large public parking area is the historic Ice House which has been transformed into an interactive museum with fun exhibits.

780 Bridgeway Street
Mondays 11:30AM – 4PM

#11 See Sausalito’s Oldest House

The Bower, on 47 Girard Street, is the oldest still standing house in Sausalito. Built in 1869, it was originally closer to the water until the land between Caledonia Street and the bay was filled in. It’s known as a classic storybook house and has been restored to remain as close to its original look as possible. It’s within walking distance from Caledonia Street.

47 Girard Street – A private home, not open to the public.

#12 See the Julia Morgan Women’s Club Building

The Women’s Club building, built in 1918, at 120 Central Avenue, was designed by Julia Morgan. She was California’s first female architect and became a world renowned designer of many historic homes and buildings, including the Hearst Castle. The Women’s Club is on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be used for public events and performances. It’s within walking distance from Caledonia Street.

120 Central Avenue

#13 See the Charles Griswald House 

The Charles Griswold House at 639 Main Street was built in 1893 by Charles Griswald, a miller and carpenter. The house is known for its eclectic and sometimes random finishings. It has a bit of victorian, gothic, asian, and decorative styles mixed in and thankfully survived the Sausalito fire of 1919. The home is on the National Historic Register of Homes. It’s within walking distance from Caledonia Street.

639 Main Street

#14 Experience the Bay Model Visitor Center

At 2100 Bridgeway is the fascinating Bay Model Visitor Center managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. It’s an active 1.5 acre hydrolic model of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. It’s a freshwater marine environmental simulator to help scientists study the water ways and ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay. It’s free to visitors Tuesday through Saturday.

2100 Bridgeway Street

#15 Visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum was a favorite for us as a family when our kids were young. It’s a great interactive and educational museum located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Fort Baker featuring science exhibits, outdoor discovery spaces, and hands on projects and events.

557 McReynolds Road
Open Wednesday through Sunday

#16 Visit the Sausalito Art Galleries

Sausalito has a very rich arts community that  hosts events such as art festivals. The Sausalito Center for the Arts lists over a dozen local galleries to visit.

Adventure Ideas

• Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) rentals are available at SeaTrek next to the Bay Model Visitor Center 
• Bike Ride – there are many bike rental options in Sausalito
• Ferry to or from San Francisco – A boat ride from the city to Sausalito and back again is a great way to see the Bay and avoid parking issues!
• Private Yacht and Sailing Tours

Nearby Places to Explore

Visit the Marin Headlands for great hikes and sweeping views.

Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail
The Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail in the Marin Headlands is a hidden gem in the Bay Area. This historic lighthouse was built in 1855 to help ships navigate the treacherous Golden Gate Straights. The lighthouse is still active and is accessed by driving through a tunnel, crossing a suspension bridge, and hiking a short but steep trail with exciting rewards at the top. Be sure to check the website for hours and closures which change periodically due to weather, etc. Parking is available  near the Lighthouse on Field Road

Hike in Fort Baker
Explore the historic military buildings and scenic trails at Fort Baker, which is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has outstanding views of the bridge and San Francisco. Visit Fort Baker’s Cavallo Point Lodge for a stay and especially to dine! We LOVE the Sula restaurant and Farley Bar!!!

Muir Woods National Monument
Just a short drive from Sausalito, Muir Woods  offers the chance to walk among towering coastal redwood trees. Muir Woods is one of our most favorite places to bring all our guests. To stroll among those trees is nothing short of magical.

A Little Sausalito History

When Spanish explorers arrived in the Bay in 1775 and disrupted the lives of the native Miwok tribe who lived along the shores, they named the area for the willow trees that grew in the region.

Eventually, WIlliam Richardson sold the area to a ferry company who divided the hilly property into many lots, all with remarkable views. This lead to the hills being filled up with Victorian mansions while the flatlands, along the water, were occupied by boatbuilders, dairy farmers, and shop owners. 

Trains and ferries kept Sausalito connected to San Francisco until the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937. Later, with the start of World War II, Sausalito grew into a prominent ship building community.

In the decades following the war efforts, Sausalito became a place for the bohemian artists due to the combination of low rents and remarkable beauty. The Sausalito we experience today has evolved from that artsy colony into a chic and trendy town.

Where to stay in Sausalito

Sausalito is a great place to stay if you are looking for a luxury getaway just outside of the city with gorgeous views and lots to do. This is a perfect place for a romantic getaway!

The Inn Above Tide
This waterfront luxury hotel offers stunning panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from its rooms. Many rooms include balconies, fireplaces, and deep soaking tubs, providing a romantic, tranquil vibe. Guests can enjoy a complimentary wine and cheese reception daily and a continental breakfast in the morning.

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Cavallo Point Lodge
Situated at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cavallo Point is a luxury lodge blending historic charm and modern comfort. Rooms feature fireplaces, organic linens, and large windows facing the bridge or the San Francisco skyline. The on-site Murray Circle restaurant serves gourmet meals, and the hotel is known for its spa services and wellness offerings.

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Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa
A blend of Victorian architecture and modern luxury, Casa Madrona overlooks the marina and offers stunning views. The hotel features spacious rooms, some with private balconies, and a full-service spa. The on-site Poggio Trattoria serves Italian cuisine, making this a great option for foodies.

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The Best Time to Visit Sausalito

Spring (March to May) is arguably the best time to visit Sausalito. That being said, a warm and sunny fall day can’t be beat (September to November). 

Like anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, the microclimates are for real! You can expect the unexpected – always. I enjoy a foggy day in the Bay as much as a clear sunny one, so I say go when you can – Sausalito is always a pleasure!

How to get to Sausalito

By Car
If you’re driving from San Francisco, Sausalito is just about 8 miles from downtown, across the Golden Gate Bridge. Park in one of the public lots by the water marked with many signs as you drive into downtown.

By Ferry
If you’re taking the Golden Gate Ferry, you’ll have direct service between San Francisco’s Ferry Building (or Pier 41) and Sausalito. It’s about a 25 minute boat ride. Ferries run frequently during the day. $14 one way for adults, with discounts for children and seniors.

By Bike
Many tourists love to rent bikes in San Francisco and ride them across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito. Head through Crissy Field, up to the Golden Gate Bridge, and down into Sausalito.This ride can take about 1-2 hours, depending on your pace. You can bring the bike on the ferry if you don’t want to ride back.

Some Sausalito Fun Facts

• During Prohibition bootleggers like Baby Face Nelson operated out of Sausalito.
• The infamous Sally Stanford, brothel madame, lived in Sausalito and became mayor and a restauranteur.
• Alan Watts, famous philosopher, lived in Sausalito.
• Shel Silverstein, famed children’s author, lived on a houseboat in Sausalito.
• Otis Redding, who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 26, wrote his famous song, Dock of the Bay, while staying on Bill Graham’s houseboat in Sausalito.
• More famous people who resided in Sausalito include Isabell Allende, Amy Tan, Julie Christie, WIlliam Randolf Hearst, and Jean Varda
• The location known as “Hearst Point” is from when Hearst was unable to get permits for his mansion, he relocated his plans to San Simeon where you now find Hearst Castle, designed by Julia Morgan.

You’re all set for discovering the things to do in Sausalito!

In a nutshell…

Sausalito is truly a gem, offering a mix of natural beauty, history, and charm that’s hard to find anywhere else. Whether you’re taking a stroll along the waterfront, exploring the houseboats, or enjoying a meal with stunning views of the bay, this small town has so much to offer. With its laid-back atmosphere and rich artistic heritage, you’ll find plenty of reasons to keep coming back.

So, go ahead and experience all that Sausalito has to offer — it’s the perfect day trip from San Francisco!

xx,
Carrie