A Guide to the Best Things to do in Sausalito

Last Updated on 18th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Sausalito is a charming seaside escape with all the charm of a European resort, despite its location in California. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Sausalito, as well as travel tips, and what to know before you go.

Pastel hued houseboats bob in the water and bougainvillea blooms in abundance. There’s a salty sea breeze in the wind and somewhat of a Mediterranean vibe permeates the place.

And did I mention that all of this is in California, just under an hour from San Francisco? Well, read on to discover the best of Sausalito…

Where is Sausalito?

Sunnt Sausalito is located north of San Francisco in Marin County in the state of California. The whimsical city’s population numbers just over 7000 residents, though this swells in the summer months when tourists arrive to enjoy the houseboats, hotels, and attractions of the town.

How to get to Sausalito

The easiest way to reach the little town is by taking the ferry from SF directly to Sausalito. Boats travel multiple times a day between the Ferry Building (on the Embarcadero at the foot of Market St.) in San Francisco to Fisherman’s Wharf in Sausalito.

The journey time is under an hour and while it’s possible to visit Sausalito as a day trip from San Francisco, you’ll want to stay two or three days to truly soak up the ambiance and allow yourself to fully relax. Check ferry tickets here.

Another option is to drive from SF to Sausalito and the journey time is around thirty minutes (depending on the traffic). Thanks to how special and beautiful the scenery is from the ferry ride, I would personally opt for the ferry over driving.

The last option to reach Sausalito is by bicycle, which takes two to three hours. If you’re a regular cyclist, this will be easy, though if you’re not used to cycling longer distances then you could end up pretty tired by the end of your bike ride!

What is Sausalito known for?

Sausalito is best-known as a vacation spot and is particularly popular among Americans, though it is less-known to foreign visitors, making the town one of the best-kept secrets of California.

Sausalito is particularly famous for its seafood, laid back vibes, tourist boutiques, and art galleries. Due to its numerous charms, Sausalito has also been used as a filming location plenty of times over the years.

More recently, the town has been used as a filming location in the series The Last Thing He Told Me starring Jennifer Garner.

How long do you need in Sausalito?

Thanks to its small and rather compact nature, it’s easy enough to see all that Sausalito has to offer over the course of a day, even as a day trip from San Francisco. If you want to explore at a leisurely pace, then it’s best to set aside a weekend to fully enjoy this small Californian town.

Best things to do in Sausalito

Explore on bike

As mentioned previously, one of the main ways to reach Sausalito is via bicycle, and so one of the best ways to get around town is on two wheels. If you’re reaching Sausalito via ferry, then you can bring your own bike on board or alternatively rent one from Fisherman’s Wharf in SF.

Admire the houseboats

One of the more unique aspects of Sausalito is the sheer abundance of houseboats. Free to admire via their exteriors, these colourful boats bob on the water and today number around 400.

Around Christmas time, many of the houseboats are decorated with beautiful lights and garlands, making them even more magical.

Please note that while some docks where houseboats are moored are free to wander along, if a dock says ‘private’ or is roped off, do not enter as these docks are for residents only.

Walk the Bridgeway Promenade and Sausalito Boardwalk

One of the best ways to soak up the sea breeze and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere is by wandering along the Bridgeway Promenade and Sausalito Boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of locally owned shops and even spot the bronze sea lion statue, which can only be spied during low tide.

Hike the Marin Headlands

If you prefer nature to seeing manmade things, then be sure to head out to hike the Marin Headlands. While you might be tempted to hike the Muir Woods national monument during your time in Sausalito, unless you’re staying for at least a few days in town, you’ll want to save this for another day.

Go kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding

Thanks to its location alongside the water, there’s no shortage of water sports activities in Sausalito. One of the most popular is sea kayaking or stand up paddle-boarding. If you wish to partake in either of these activities, you can head to Sea Trek Kayak & SUP Center. And, who knows? You may even see some seals while you’re out on the water!

Take a seaplane tour

If you prefer to enjoy the water from above, then one of the more luxurious options available in Sausalito is to take a seaplane tour! Enjoy fantastic views of the bay, SF, and the golden gate bridge.

Enjoy an ice cream

There’s perhaps no food that screams summer quite like ice cream and there’s indeed no shortage of shops selling the sweet stuff in Sausalito.

Some of the best places selling ice cream in town include Lappert’s Ice Cream and Taste of Rome. If you get a cone to go at Lappert’s then you can head out and admire the sailboats while enjoying your ice cream.

Go shopping

Thanks to its status as a resort town, one of the most popular pastimes for visitors to Sausalito is to go shopping in the little boutiques scattered across town. This includes bookshops, thrift stores, and the kind of shops which sell beach themed goods.

Without a doubt, the best place to explore for a spot of shopping in Sausalito is downtown. Some of the quaintest streets include along Bridgeway Promenade and on Caledonia Street.

Bay Area Discovery Museum

If you are traveling with kids, then you’ll want to head to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, which is specifically geared towards children.

There are both indoor and outdoor areas with different themed activities such as iceless skating and climbing. There’s even gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the property.

San Francisco Bay Model

Situated in the Marinship neighborhood, an area best-known for where many expensive boats are docked, the Bay Model Visitor Center is free to visit and there is also free parking on site, making it one of the best free things to do in Sausalito.

As its name would suggest, the gigantic space showcases a model of San Francisco Bay and City. There are also exhibitions about the history of the Bay area, including one about shipbuilding during WWII.

Gallery 111 Art Studios

If you’re a fan of artwork, then you won’t want to miss out on a visit to Gallery 111 Art Studios. This impressive building showcases artwork from a collective of 100+ San Francisco Bay Area artists and there are regular exhibitions, shows, and talks.

Enjoy views of San Francisco

Thanks to its proximity to the city, Sausalito offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even when it’s grey, cold, and foggy just across the water in San Francisco, visitors will often be delighted to discover that it’s actually sunny and warm in Sausalito!

What to pack for Sausalito

If you’re visiting the town during the summer, then you’ll want to pack some important essentials. This includes sun cream, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes as one of the best ways to explore town is on foot and so you’ll be walking a lot!

Where to stay in Sausalito

Thanks to its status as a summer holiday destination, places get booked up fast in Sausalito (especially during the high season, i.e. summer) and so you’ll want to book your hotel ASAP. Here are some of the best accommodation options based on web-reviews and location:

Budget: HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf – If you want to save money, then it’s actually cheaper to stay in SF rather than Sausalito. This laidback hostel is located close to the water, just a stone’s throw away from bike paths and restaurants. Amenities include dorm rooms or private rooms as well as breakfast. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: Hotel Sausalito & Suites – This three-star hotel offers up European vibes in an early 20th-century building. Highlights include free Wi-Fi and a good position in town. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: The Inn Above Tide – This beautiful boutique hotel offers all the amenities you can expect from an upscale establishment; breakfast, cosy rooms, and air conditioning.

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