Sausalito.
Salt fog spills over the Marin Headlands before burning off over Richardson Bay, where hillside cottages cling to steep wooded bluffs above former World War II shipyards. Walking off the San Francisco ferry puts you on Bridgeway, but the town's true character sits north in the Marinship district, where artists still weld on timber wharves and hundreds of handcrafted houseboats rock gently with the tide.
Last updated 2 Sept 2026
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What to do in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Sausalito divides cleanly between the crowded downtown waterfront along Bridgeway and the quieter, working-dock feel of the northern shipyard docks. Days revolve around ferry arrivals, walking the steep hillside stairs, paddling Richardson Bay, and seeking out unpretentious seafood. It rewards travellers who like coastal walking, wooden boats, and a slower pace just thirty minutes across the water from downtown San Francisco.
24 hours in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Board the morning Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco. Skip the tourist strip for coffee on Caledonia Street, spend midday touring the Bay Model and the Gate 5 floating homes, and finish with peel-and-eat shrimp on the outdoor benches at Fish. Catch an evening ferry back at sunset. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
A second day takes you into the Marin Headlands. Walk up the Morning Sun Trail for views over the bay, drive out to the black-sand cove at Rodeo Beach, and return to town for grilled Dungeness crab or wood-fired flatbreads at a waterfront table looking toward Belvedere. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Three days allow an unhurried morning among the redwoods of Muir Woods before the mid-day bus tours arrive. Spend the afternoon kayaking along Schoonmaker Beach, followed by an evening exploring the old wooden boat workshops and art studios around the Marinship.
Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States itineraries by interest
Local Seafood in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Eat local Dungeness crab, grilled Pacific halibut, and wild king salmon fresh off the day boats at Fish. on the working docks along Harbor Drive.
Maritime History in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Tour the massive U.S. Army Corps 1.5-acre hydraulic Bay Model and the vintage wooden shipways at the historic Marinship yards built in 1942.
Coastal Architecture in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Walk the boardwalks of the floating home piers at Waldo Point Harbor, where five hundred eclectic, hand-built houseboats moor in Richardson Bay.
Coastal Walks in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Climb the public wooden staircases off Excelsior Lane and hike along the steep hillside paths of Old Town for wide views over Angel Island.
Modern Art in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Explore artist studios in former shipyard sheds around Gate 5 Road and browse mid-century enamelware and ceramics from the local Heath craft legacy.
Day Trips in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Catch the Marin Transit 61 bus up to the old-growth coast redwoods of Muir Woods or bike across the Golden Gate back toward the Presidio.
Scenic Viewpoints in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Walk south along Bridgeway to the concrete promenade at Tiffany Park for clear sightlines across the bay water to the San Francisco skyline.
Casual Dining in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Grab a thin-crust wood-fired pizza at Bar Bocce or order a sourdough burger flipped at the historic tiny counter of Hamburgers on Bridgeway.
Harbour Boating in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Rent a sea kayak at Schoonmaker Beach to paddle through the protected harbor channels alongside seals and historic wooden schooners.
Hiking in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Hike the steep Morning Sun Trail up into the Marin Headlands to reach wind-swept ridgeline bunkers and coastal chaparral overlooking the Pacific.
Bakery & Cafe Culture in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Pick up morning espresso and fresh almond croissants from sweet bakeries along Caledonia Street, where locals gather away from the ferry crowds.
Beaches & Headlands in Sausalito San Francisco Bay Area United States
Drive ten minutes through the Baker-Barry Tunnel to the dark volcanic sands, heavy surf, and coastal lagoon at wild Rodeo Beach.