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Just beyond San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge sits the little town of Sausalito. Named after the small willow trees that used to bloom on its banks, Sausalito is a laid-back place for San Francisco visitors to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town sits on Richardson Bay, which is lined with the town’s picturesque, colorful houseboats. It can be a challenge to pick what to do when you visit Sausalito, but we have you covered.
Before we jump into what to do, you need to decide how you’ll get to Sausalito. Sausalito is just north of San Francisco and right over the Golden Gate Bridge, making it accessible to many different transportation options.
Head to the Bridgeway Promenade for some of the best views of San Francisco you can find in the area. While wandering around one of the three boardwalks in Sausalito (some of which have actual wooden walkways and some that do not), you will have plenty of options for a bite to eat and local stores to shop. You’ll also run into the Sea Lion Statue!
The Viña del Mar Plaza is truly the town square of Sausalito due to how central it is to almost everything in town. Located next to the ferry drop-off, this Mediterranean-style, romantic feeling plaza and park is the perfect place to unwind, people watch, and picnic with friends and family. The plaza is one of the most well-known and photographed parks in Sausalito!
Located in the Bay Model Visitor Center, visitors to Sausalito can see the San Francisco Bay Model, a 1.5 acre, fully functional model of San Francisco Bay. Built in 1957, this model gave the U.S. Army Corps and educators more insight into the bay-delta system. Even if science isn’t your jam, this is a cool thing to see in-person!
Right next to the Sausalito ferry pier sits Gabrielson Park. Gabrielson Park is famous for its jazz festivals and fourth of July fireworks display. Gabrielson Park offers excellent views of the neighboring Angel Island and the Bay Bridge, making it a great spot for catching a Sausalito sunrise or sunset – a one-of-a-kind experience. The full day Combo Full Day City and Muir Woods Tour ends the day in Sausalito, and for good reason: it’s the perfect place to take in the laid-back vibes and watch the sun go down.
Lappert’s Ice Cream with two locations on Bridgway is the local favorite. Stop in for some of the best ice cream in the Bay Area. They offer unique flavors including my favorite Hana Road – Their version of Rocky Road, with marshmallows, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and chocolate covered almonds. Or Check out Nuku Hiva with Coconut Pineapple ice cream, brownie pieces, and a Raspberry sorbet swirl! YUM!
The majority of the Sausalito houseboats are located at the Northern end of Sausalito off of Bridgway St. There are a number of floating home docks on Gate 5 Road including these Waldo Point Harbor Docks: Liberty Dock, Issaquah Dock, South 40 Dock and Main Dock. At Gate 6 Road you will find more Waldo Point Harbor docks and the two Kappa’s docks. There are also a few houseboats in the harbors closer to downtown Sausalito.
The Marine Mammal Center is focused on ocean conservation through their own research, education, and rehabilitating wildlife native to the bay area. Guests can visit rescued marine animals and learn more about how they can help further the Marine Mammal Center’s mission! A staple of any visit to San Francisco, Sausalito, or the Bay Area in general is to get a glimpse of the sea lions.
When visiting San Francisco, remember that there are countless places to visit and sites to see just outside of the city! We encourage you to get out there and discover something new. There are tons of San Francisco jeep tours that can help you see all the important landmarks of San Francisco while also taking you to see some of the stunning natural landmarks just outside the city.
Take advantage of a San Francisco Private Jeep Tour; adventure is waiting, and you can’t pass it up! Here are a few we recommend:
Sausalito is the kind of place that rewards slowing down—great food, bay breezes, and some of the best skyline views in the Bay Area.
Easy, scenic, and very enjoyable.
Top things to do in Sausalito include strolling the waterfront promenade, browsing art galleries and boutiques, visiting the floating houseboat neighborhoods, enjoying seafood and wine with Bay views, renting bikes or kayaks, and soaking up postcard-perfect skyline views back toward San Francisco.
Yes—this is one of the most popular day trips.
Many visitors combine a morning or midday visit to Muir Woods
with an afternoon stop in Sausalito. San Francisco Jeep Tours
offers private itineraries that include Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge
viewpoints, and free time to explore Sausalito’s waterfront and downtown.
Very—especially near the water.
Sausalito’s main waterfront and downtown area are highly walkable, with restaurants, cafés, galleries, and shops clustered near the ferry landing and along Bridgeway. Some hillside streets are steeper, but they reward you with fantastic views over the bay.
Yes, and it’s a beautiful ride.
Sausalito is served by ferry routes connecting to San Francisco’s Ferry Building
and Fisherman’s Wharf. Many visitors travel one direction by tour vehicle or bike and return by ferry for a scenic crossing of the bay.
Late morning through early evening is ideal.
Late morning and afternoon usually offer pleasant weather and lively waterfront energy. On clear days, late afternoon and early evening are especially beautiful, with golden light on the hills and sunset views back toward San Francisco.
Good to know: Sausalito pairs perfectly with Muir Woods, Marin Headlands viewpoints, or a ferry ride back to the city for a relaxed, memorable day.