What To Do in Sausalito If You Only Had One Day
Things to do and eat on a day trip to Sausalito
· 6 min read
Sausalito is a charming waterfront town located just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, California. With its stunning views of the Bay, quaint streets lined with shops and galleries, and delicious dining options, Sausalito makes for the perfect day trip from San Francisco. If you only have one day to spend in Sausalito, here are some must-do activities to make the most of your time.
Getting to Sausalito
There are several ways to get to Sausalito from San Francisco. One of the most popular — and also most recommended — options is to take a ferry from San Francisco's Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes and provides stunning views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Alternatively, you can drive or ride a bicycle from San Francisco to Sausalito via the Golden Gate Bridge. But if you are up for some exercise, you could also choose to do that on foot, though the entire journey could take up to 2 hours and if you are short on time, you might not want to do so.
What to do in Sausalito
If you only had one day in Sausalito, here are some of the highlights and things that you should consider including in your day trip.
Kayak around Richardson Bay
The Sausalito Boardwalk offers beautiful views of the Bay and the city skyline, and there are several parks and lookout points to stop and take in the scenery. But for a more immersive experience, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Sea Trek Kayak and SUP** **for a leisurely paddle along the shoreline. Sea Trek Kayak also provides tours for various levels, where you will get to explore the San Francisco Bay on a kayak!
Explore the shops and galleries at downtown Sausalito
Head to downtown Sausalito to explore the shops and art galleries. Bridgeway and Caledonia Streets are home to numerous boutiques and art galleries, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry to contemporary paintings. The pieces are expensive, but they’re free to look! Be sure to stop by Studio 333, a gallery that features a large collection of fine arts by local artists. Just down the road, they also have a boutique that sells a variety of handcrafted items made by local makers. And If you are into quirky toys and gifts, you should also check out the Sausalito Ferry Co.
**Visit the San Francisco Bay Model **
Visit the Bay Model to learn about the San Francisco Bay ecosystem. The center houses a working hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta System, providing a fascinating glimpse into the area's geography and wildlife. The 1.5 acres model was built before the age of computer modelling, and was built to simulate tides and currents to test proposals to build a barricade between salt water and inland fresh water in San Francisco Bay. It is now an educational museum, definitely nerdy — but also impressive.
🗺️ **Address: **2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
Visit the Heath Ceramics
Heath Ceramics is a pottery store that sells handcrafted, ceramic dinnerware and homeware products. Its factory first opened its doors in Sausalito in 1959, where a team of 40 craftsmen delicately make each piece of dinnerware. The Health Ceramics hosts factory tours every weekend through the end of July, and online registration is required for these tours. Aside from tours, you can also visit the Heath Ceramics showroom, where you can also find seconds (items that don’t meet the first quality standards, discontinued items, samples, or prototypes) sold at a discounted price!
🗺️ **Address: **400 Gate 5 Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
See the Houseboats
Sausalito is also known for its vibrant and eccentric waterfront community of floating homes. Each houseboat is so unique from another from the architecture, colorful art, and years of history. One of the best places to see the house boats will be around the Waldo Point Harbour, about a 20 minute walk away from the Bay Model. Alternatively, if you have rented a kayak, you can also kayak around the houseboats. Take note that the houseboats are still in use as actual residential areas, so you can’t really (and you shouldn’t) visit the homes. Also remember to keep your volume down!
However, if you really want to visit the homes, the Floating Homes Association do offer private mini tours for small groups to visit four homes. The cost is rather high, at $2,000 per tour for a maximum of up to 40 guests. You can check out their official website for more information on the tours.
What to eat in Sausalito
Sausalito is home to many great eateries with amazing views. If you are spoilt for choice, here are some of the most highly recommended eats in Sausalito.
For Brunch or French Food: Le Garage
Le Garage is a popular place for brunch at Sausalito, though you really could have any of your three meals there. If you were on a vegetarian diet, take note that their menu doesn’t have many options available.
🗺️ **Address: **85 Liberty Ship Way #109, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Seafood: Fish
Sausalito is home to many great seafood restaurants, but Fish is one of the most highly recommended restaurants by locals. Fish is known for its fresh and delicious seafood dishes, along with fantastic views of the Bay. However, their menu is rather pricey and you might have to wait for a table.
🗺️ **Address: **350 Harbor Dr, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Seafood: Scoma’s of Sausalito
Scoma's of Sausalito is another seafood restaurant that is highly recommended. Scoma’s is known to offer some of the best views, but the experience could differ depending on your seat (whether you got a seat with a view or one without). Scoma’s is also known to serve high quality food, although they are also expensive.
🗺️ Address: 588 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Sushi: Sushi Ran
Sushi Ran is a highly acclaimed sushi restaurant that has been recommended by many food guides, including the Michelin Guide. Their sashimi is known to be fresh, and the menu also features a variety of _maki _(sushi roll) for you to choose from. Prices are on the high side and reservations are recommended.
🗺️ Address: 107 Caledonia St, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Burgers: Napa Valley Burger
Napa Valley Burger is a burger joint that offers classic American comfort food. They are known to have one of the best burgers in Sausalito, and many people also speak highly of the truffle fries. As with most places in Sausalito, their menu is expensive, but serving portions are rather huge.
🗺️ **Address: **670 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Beer: Joinery
Joinery offers a great selection of beer, along with small plates of casual American fare. It has a relaxing and laid-back environment that is great for a chill afternoon out after exploring the area.
🗺️ **Address: **300 Turney St, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Indian Food: Sartaj
Sartaj is a family-run restaurant that is said to have some of the best Indian food in the area, and at rather reasonable prices as well. There has been mixed reviews since the original owners retired, but it is still worth a try if you are looking for a casual meal at reasonable prices.
🗺️ **Address: **43 Caledonia St, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States
For Ice Cream: Lappert’s
Lappert’s is a Hawaiian chain that offers ice cream in tropical flavours, and is the most famous ice cream in Sausalito. This ice cream chain will almost always be featured in the answers for any ask for food recommendations at Sausalito. Here, you can find Hawaiian-inspired flavors, such as Horchata, Kona Coffee, and Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut.
🗺️ **Address: **689 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States