Welcome to Sausalito
Quintessential seaside town famous for its eccentric houseboat community and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge
Sausalito is a charming seaside town founded in 1838 by William Richardson. At the time, he received a Mexican land grant for an area called Rancho Sausalito, named for the area's many willow trees. The town saw rapid development during World War II as a shipbuilding center. That industrial character helped Sausalito develop into a bedroom community for San Francisco after the Golden Gate Bridge was completed. Sausalito fostered a distinctive personality in the years that followed, attracting many wealthy individuals and artists to the area's prestigious art galleries and festivals.
Today, Sausalito is famous for its eccentric and historic houseboat community residing on Richardson Bay. Many houseboats are moored at the piers and open to the public for visiting. Sausalito is also a popular shopping and recreational destination with a scenic boardwalk cherished for its European-style and French Riviera-like ambiance. To the east of Sausalito is the Angel Island State Park and to the west is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
What to Love
- Breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
- Historic houseboat community on the Richardson Bay
- Lively downtown area on the waterfront
People & Lifestyle
Sausalito residents enjoy living in a pleasant and visually stunning town, considered one of the best places to live in Marin County and an excellent location for retirees. Sausalito has many distinct neighborhoods, but the most significant division is between the floating houseboat community and living in the rolling hillside. Many long-term residents love living in the tight-knit waterside community, especially as houseboats tend to be more affordable.
But the waterfront and scenic Bridgeway Promenade gives way to the area's larger, palatial estates, which wind their way up into the steep hillside. People who work full-time in San Francisco often seek out the tranquility and comforts of Sausalito, which started as a primarily residential bedroom community for the metropolitan area. Sausalito is the closest North Bay city, making it ideal for those planning to commute each day either via ferry or driving.
Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment
Stroll along Sausalito's idyllic Bridgeway Promenade dotted with unique gift shops, jewelers, and waterfront restaurants. This quintessential seaside town has many fun activities to do by the water.
Adventure awaits at Cavallo Point, a Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award-winning lodge nestled at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. The national park setting makes the perfect backdrop for this luxurious area with distinctive accommodations featuring spectacular views.
The elevated Scoma's of Sausalito overlooks the Bay with unobstructed views as guests dine on fresh, creative, Italian-inspired seafood like rich chowders and steaming whole crabs.
A top-ranking Bay restaurant, Sushi Ran is a Sausalito mainstay known for its sophisticated preparation and exquisite handmade rolls, plus other classic Japanese dishes.
Things to Do
Anyone fascinated by history or science will find several places of interest worth visiting in Sausalito. The Bay Model Visitor Center is home to the San Francisco Bay/Delta Model, a hydraulic model of the Bay and the Delta operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Experience the Bay firsthand by taking a pleasant ferry ride to and from San Francisco.
Bring your children along to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a place where they can let their imaginations run wild. Located inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this indoor/outdoor museum inspires kids with a play space, art classes, interactive exhibits, and more. Sausalito is also home to the Marine Mammal Center, a conservation center that prides itself on advancing global scientific research on our oceans and rehabilitating marine mammals.
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