Sausalito

By plane

Sausalito has no airport of its own. Use one of the three bay area airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), or San Jose (SJC). From there you can get to Sausalito.

By car

Sausalito is just over the Golden Gate Bridge (US 101) from San Francisco. Just take the first exit (Alexander Avenue) after crossing the bridge and follow it into town. If coming from the north, exit at the sign marked from Sausalito, turn left, and make your way down Bridgeway into town.

By ferry

Two ferry companies serve Sausalito:

• Blue & Gold Fleet

  phone: +1-415-705-8200
  Offers ferry service to/from Pier 41 in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. It is a 30-35 minute trip.

• Golden Gate Ferries

  phone: +1-415-923-2000
  Offers ferry service to/from the historic Ferry Building in San Francisco's Financial District. It is a 25 minute trip.

Both companies dock at , located near the city center.

By bike

A very popular activity for tourists in San Francisco is to hire a bike, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down into Sausalito. Planning this the previous day will make sure you arrive in Sausalito in time for brunch. If worn out from the ride, you can catch the ferry back to San Francisco; the ferries have lots of capacity to carry bikes. A map of the route is available from most bike hire places in San Francisco.

By bus

Sausalito is served by several Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit routes, including the 17 from San Rafael and Mill Valley, the 61 from Bolinas and Stinson Beach, the 2 and 92 from San Francisco, and the 30 from San Rafael and San Francisco.

Most of the frequently visited waterfront area can be seen on foot and are within easy walking distance from the ferry landing. Make sure to head north on your walk along Bridgeway to Caledonia Street - it's full of great stores, restaurants, cafes and art studios.
Sausalito is also an easy town to bike in. A favorite local ride is to Sam's Restaurant in Tiburon for lunch or drinks on the huge (and very entertaining!) outdoor deck. It always seems to be sunny there, so bring your hat and sunscreen. Another not to be missed ride is from Sausalito to Mill Valley (hit the Depot for a great lunch) and on up any bike trail on Mt. Tamalpais.

• Sausalito Mountain Bike Rental

  phone: +1-415-331-4448
  address: 803 Bridgeway

• Bay Model Visitor Center

  phone: +1-415-332-3871
  address: 2100 Bridgeway
  The US Army Corps of Engineers used to use this hydraulic scale model of the San Francisco Bay and California Delta to study the hydrology of the area. Now it is open to the public.

• Bay Area Discovery Museum

  phone: +1-415-339-3900
  address: 557 McReynolds Rd
  Hands-on children's museum.

• ArtwalkEvery 2nd Wednesday of the month you can tour art studios and galleries along Bridgeway.

• Captain Kirk's San Francisco Sailing

  phone: +1-650-492-0681

• Harbor Dive Center

  phone: +1-415-331-0904
  address: 200 Harbor Dr

• Sausalito Art Festival

• Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour

  phone: +1-415-332-6608
  address: PO Box 124
  In depth insider's tour of the historic Sausalito waterfront includes historic houseboats, World War II shipyards, art studios, Wooden Boat Center. Refreshments served at the end of the tour in the boat lettering shop next to the WWII shipways. Every weekend. Call to reserve.

For a directory of local art galleries, see .

• Butterflute Studios

  phone: +1-415-332-6608
  address: 2350 Marinship Way
  Art studio of Victoria Colella. Visit the last artist's studio of its kind on the Sausalito waterfront and see Victoria's illustrious Folk Art Collection. By appointment only.

• Five Star Station

  phone: +1-415-331-5055
  address: 33 Caledonia St
  A very eclectic shop filled with a range of historical hard to find and interesting pieces. A great place to buy great gifts or get your mind going for finding great gifts. Really fun shopping.

• John Wilmer Studio

  phone: +1-415-331-3037
  address: 333 Caledonia St
  Suite B. John has an ever-changing selection of fine furniture and collectibles on display in his workshop, as well as incredible paintings and photography in his gallery area.

• Sausalito Artists

  phone: +1-415-706-5051
  address: 480 Gate Five Rd
  Visit and purchase art from one of the largest groups of talented, local artists in Northern California. Art studio tours April – December plus an annual fun, free, family friendly event on Labor Day Weekend.

• Sausalito Artists Open StudiosThe largest location of local artists & galleries under one roof in Sausalito.

• Studio 333

  phone: +1-415-331-8272
  address: 333 Caledonia St
  Suite A. A hip gallery that offers a collection of work from over 25 local artists, including great furniture.

• Valhalla Signworks-Boat Lettering, Etc.

  phone: +1-415-332-6608
  address: 2350 Marinship Way
  Nautical sign specialist, with traditional signage on the waterfront. Carving, gilding, hand painted, custom vinyl designs available.

Sausalito is blessed with more fine restaurants than a town of 7,000 people should have. Whatever you're looking to eat, Sausalito probably has a restaurant serving it up. Beware the 'touristy' district, however. While there are a few genuinely good restaurants, there are also a fair number of establishments catering basic grub to tourists.

• AngelinosItalian, home-made pasta.

• Arawan

  phone: +1-415-332-0882
  address: 47 Caledonia St
  Serving Thai cuisine.

• Avatar'sTop-rated Indian-Mexican fusion cuisine. Sounds weird, but has a fanatical following.

• Fish

  phone: +1-415-331-3474
  address: 350 Harbor Dr
  Excellent, very fresh, and well-prepared seafood. Fish is best enjoyed on a sunny day, al fresco on the large deck overlooking a fishing harbor on the north side of town. Despite being off the beaten path, Fish is always crowded on nice days. Cash only.

• Fred's Coffee Shop

  phone: +1-41- 332-4575
  address: 1917 Bridgeway
  Fred's is a Sausalito institution. Fred's has only 6 tables, each seating 4-6 people. You're most likely to be seated with others at 'your' table, which often leads to interesting conversations. One table at Fred's has a brass plaque reading "Stamtisch" which means regular's table. Anyone can sit there if a chair is free. For breakfast, the Fred's French toast is pretty amazing. For those who prefer something a little more spicy, ask for the "Coyote Special", which is a cheese omelette covered with chili.

• Lighthouse CafeLike Fred's, but less crazed and hectic.

• Poggio Trattoria

  phone: +1 415-332-7771
  address: 777 Bridgeway
  Founded by one of the creators of Il Fornaio (back when Il Fornaio was small and intimate), it is an upscale version and really special. All dishes are prepared with care and sauces have the deep, rich flavorful tastes. Menu changes a lot daily.

• SpinnakerFabulous bay views, seafood.

• Sushi Ran

  phone: +1-415-332-3620
  address: 107 Caledonia St
  One of the best sushi restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area, Sushi Ran serves up incredibly good and fresh sushi and modern Japanese cuisine. Received a Michelin star in October 2006.

Coffee

• Caffe DiVino

  phone: +1-415-331-9355
  address: 37 Caledonia St
  Sidewalk cafe, art shows, live jazz music, locals.

• Poggio

  address: Bridgeway
  Sidewalk fine dining, fresh pasta on a menu that changes every day; does great coffee.

• Starbucks

  address: Princess Street
  Coffee as you know it from any other city anywhere.

• Taste of Rome

  address: 1000 Bridgeway
  Always comes to mind for great San Francisco Bay Area Coffee, this is the Sausalito branch. Classic bicycle rider destination. Internet Wi-Fi, live jazz music, art shows, sidewalk tables.

• Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

  phone: +1-415-354-8335
  address: 801 Bridgeway
  On a hillside overlooking Richardson Bay and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The modern rooms are quiet, classy, comfortable and chic. The historic section of the hotel dates back to the late 1800s and has some "dream" rooms with fabulous views, and other hillside rooms, which may involve climbing many stairs. 3,000-square-foot spa and fitness center on premises.

• The Gables Inn

  phone: +1-415-289-1100
  address: 62 Princess St
  Built in 1869, this is a historic bed and breakfast, boasting nine distinctively elegant rooms - many with king beds, fireplaces, spa tubs, and skyline bay views.

• Inn Above Tide

  phone: +1-415-332-9535
  address: 30 El Portal
  This is a boutique hotel on the water with unbelievable views.

• Cavallo Point Lodge

  phone: +1-415-339-4700
  address: 601 Murray Circle
  Built as an Army base called Fort Baker, this late 1800s base was decommissioned, given to the National Park Service, and commissioned as a hotel. Amenities include fine dining and a spa. Great location for views, right below and to the east of the Golden Gate Bridge. Has some rooms where walking and stair-climbing are required. Room service, bar, restaurant, and a spa.

• Hike to the ridge. Ask for directions to the Spencer Avenue parking lot (on 101) and start your hike at the trailhead across from the lot. It zig-zags up to a major trail where you take a right and then wind your way toward the ocean and beautiful ridge top views. From here, you can hike the Marin Headlands pretty much to anywhere along the coast, depending on your time and ability.