Just a ferry ride across the bay (or bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge), Sausalito is like another neighborhood of San Francisco, and if you plan to spend a few days or more in the city, this is a trip you should take.
The picturesque town was once a hub for bootlegging during Prohibition and shipbuilding during WWII. These days, Sausalito is a major tourist attraction, with art galleries, outdoor restaurants, and a quaint fishing-village vibe, making it one of the most popular day trips from San Francisco.
With the crowds come some frustrations, so here’s an insider’s guide to visiting Sausalito like a local that will take you to spots few tourists will find on their own.
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Skip the Car, Take the Ferry
Yes, you can drive, Uber or even bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, but taking the ferry is slow travel at its best. Plus, you really don’t need a car in San Francisco, or to visit Sausalito.
The 25-minute ferry cruise glides you right past Alcatraz and offers sweeping city and Golden Gate views before docking right in the heart of town. Lace up your walking shoes—locals know that the best way to get around (and avoid parking headaches and tickets) is on foot.
You can take either the Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building, or the Blue & Gold Fleet, which leaves from Pier 41, not far from Pier 39 in San Francisco. Be sure to check their websites for schedules, especially on weekends and holidays.
For paper-free ease, I recommend using your phone to purchase tickets by downloading the Clipper app, and setting up an account to pay ahead. It’s super easy and saves you from the sometimes painfully long lines at ticket machines.
If you want to make the most of your time, several companies stop in Sausalito and the Marin Headlands on the way to Muir Woods, like this 1/2-day guided tour in a comfortable and air-conditioned bus.
Shop Local Sausalito
You’ll definitely find your share of I ❤️ Sausalito t-shirt and magnet shops, but visiting Sausalito like a local means supporting businesses, galleries, and stores that sell gifts, clothing, and other souvenirs that highlight local artists and makers.
An easy walk from the ferry landing is Sausalito Books by the Bay (look for the blue awning), a community-supported bookstore owned by a longtime Sausalito resident.
If you really want to fit in, check out their calendar of author events, or pick up books and gifts from local authors.
Near the ferry landing, the Sausalito Center for the Arts is open to visitors and often hosts exhibitions spotlighting the work of Bay Area artists.
Karl the Store (a play on Karl the Fog, the nickname of San Francisco’s local weather pattern) is an eclectic mix of vintage and new clothing, gifts, furnishings, and household decor, located right next to Equator Coffee.
Though you can now find Heath Ceramics in San Francisco’s Ferry Building, Los Angeles, and even Texas, I prefer the OG studio and showroom in Sausalito, where the iconic handmade pottery has been crafted since the 1950s. Visitors can shop the studio for their signature streamlined style plates, vases, cups, and more.
Stroll Caledonia Street
Bridgeway, Sausalito’s main waterfront drag, is undeniably postcard-perfect with views across the water to San Francisco. But Sausalitans love to hang out on Caladonia Street, Sausalito’s original Main Street.
It’s not on the water, and is a little hidden from the Ferry landing, which might be why you’ll find more locals than visitors.
One of my favorite shops is Studio 333 Boutique & Gallery, a women’s clothing boutique with vintage as well as new clothing, and creations from local artists.
There’s even the quintessential local bar, Smitty’s Bar, the last bar in Sausalito that has retained its original construction. It’s the place to go catch a game, shoot some pool and linger in local history.
Eat Like You Live There
While the waterfront draws a crowd, locals head elsewhere for morning coffee, like Equator, Firehouse, or A Taste of Rome.
On Caledonia Street, dinner-only Osteria Davino is one of my favorites, thanks to its cozy environment, seats at the bar, and authentic Italian food (my husband swears the lasagna tastes just like his mama’s). They also have live Jazz on most Friday and Saturday nights.
A few doors down is Sushi Ran, one of the Bay Area’s best sushi restaurants, open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, so book ahead, and dinner too.
Another Caladonia Street favorite is Sandrino, an authentic, tiny (really tiny) pizza joint whose no-reservation tables are hard to come by but worth the wait.
If you want to grab a sandwich, run by a local for locals, it’s worth the effort to take your bike or go for a long walk to Davey Jones Deli, located inside the New Bait Shop in a strip mall near the entrance to the highway.
Seriously, don’t let that description scare you away. You’ll find meaty and veggie sandwiches, wraps, and salads, all made fresh and with salty Sausalito flair.
The fresh-off-the-boat sustainable seafood at Fish, located near the Clipper Yacht Harbor, draws a crowd and long line, especially at lunch.
If old school diners are your jam, Anchorage Five Restaurant, a family-run spot, is open for breakfast and lunch. Bonus: It’s also across the street from Heath Ceramics.
Stay for Live Music
When the crowds start to head back to San Francisco on the ferry, it’s nice to know you don’t have to. Instead, stick around to watch the sky change color and the city lights twinkle.
The beloved No Name Bar (757 Bridgeway, 415-332-1392) is an easy walk from the ferry landing and is has been an unfussy Sausalito watering hole since 1959, with great music just about every night of the week.
Speaking of watering holes, when arriving at Travis Marina Bar, you’ll swear you took a left turn at a dead end. But don’t worry, it’s there, not far from Cavallo Point and the Bay Area Discovery Museum. It’s only open on weekends (and is frequently closed), so check ahead.
However, when it is open, you’ll enjoy casual drinks and food, along with live music on Friday and Saturday, a low-key atmosphere, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Sausalito Seahorse, a bit of a walk from the ferry landing (or quick taxi), serves fresh seafood Wed-Sunday, with live music on weekend nights. For something different, drop by for Salsa dance lessons on Sunday afternoons.
If you happen to visit Sausalito during the summer (June – September), be sure to stay for the outdoor Jazz & Blues by the Bay concert series, which begins around 6:30 p.m. on Friday nights.
Sadly, the Trident, a waterfront institution for more than 125 years, closed on New Year’s Eve 2025 (fingers crossed for a resurrection).
It was first opened as a yacht club in 1898, then taken over by the Kingston Trio and opened in 1966, transforming it into a den of live music, cocktails, and spectacular stories frequented by musical legends like Janis Joplin, David Crosby, and the Rolling Stones. The Trident’s house cocktail, the Tequila Sunrise, was also invented here.
I’m so glad I stopped by last fall for a drink and sat in Janis Joplin’s preferred booth.
Even though it’s no longer open, walk by the Trident (on Bridgway), and pay silent homage to the greats who graced it. RIP Trident.
Get Active
I’m grateful to live in a place where being outdoors is part of daily life, whether it’s grabbing coffee alfresco with friends, taking a walk along the water, or hiking to the bridge.
In Sausalito, being on the water is something almost everyone loves to do. If you crave more than the ferry ride over, book a kayak tour with Sea Trek and paddle past Sausalito’s famous houseboats.
Visiting the Sausalito houseboats (aka floating homes) is popular for visitors, but locals love an occasional stroll down the docks to see the quirky abodes. Head to Waldo Point Harbor near Gate 6 Road, or walk down the Issaquah and Liberty docks.
FYI: These are private residences, so please be respectful, do not walk onto their gated piers, keep noise low, and avoid smoking at all times.
For breathtaking beauty and unique views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, the Marin Headlands are a gorgeous place to hike if you’re up for it. There are numerous trails, and you’ll need a car to get there from downtown Sausalito.
Parking can be challenging on weekends, so consider visiting midweek.
Local Travel Tip: There is parking at the top of Spencer Avenue, on the west side of the 101. If you’re game for a good hike, look for the trailhead and climb to the top, where another trail system will connect you to the Marin Headlands.
