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Sausalito Attractions & Activities: 11 Fun Ideas
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: August 28, 2025
Sausalito is a small, charming seaside town across the bay from San Francisco. Many people come here only to shop or to have some lunch, often as a quick stop on the way back from Muir Woods.
However, you will find several interesting Sausalito attractions and activities if you choose to spend more time here. You can even stay overnight!
My favorite things to do range from kayaking and cycling to wine tasting and touring historic houseboats.
Jill's Five Things to Know Before You Visit
1. A Floating Neighborhood: Sausalito is famous for its colorful houseboat community of more than 400 floating homes. Many were created by artists and free spirits in the 1960s and ’70s.
2. Panoramic Views: Because it hugs the bay, Sausalito offers stunning postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the SF skyline, and Alcatraz—often without the fog that blankets the city.
3. An Artistic Legacy: Since the 1940s, Sausalito has been a haven for artists and writers, hosting studios, galleries, and the renowned annual Sausalito Art Festival.
4. Quirky European Vibe: With its steep hills, narrow streets, and waterfront cafes, Sausalito feels a lot like a Mediterranean seaside village.
5. World War II History: During WWII, Sausalito’s shipyards produced Liberty Ships at record speed. At its peak, the shipyard employed around 20,000 workers, many of them women, and radically transformed the town.
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11 Top Sausalito Attractions & Activities
1. Shopping
As I mentioned above, this is the main draw to Sausalito. A few dozen shops line up along the beautiful waterfront and this is where most people spend their time here.
The main shopping street is Bridgeway, where you will find interesting art galleries, several boutique clothing stores, and fun specialty shops (including my favorite, Munchies Candies).
2. Wine Tasting at Bacchus & Venus
Sampling local wines is another way to enjoy your time in Sausalito. There are a few places that offer wine tasting along Bridgeway.
My favorite place to go is Bacchus and Venus at 769 Bridgeway. They offer flights for those who love reds, whites, or even sweet wines. Tasting fees range from $20 to $35 per flight.
I also love to have some of their yummy snacks when I taste. They offer a selection of both savory and sweet treats.
>> Visit the Bacchus & Venus site to learn more
3. Bay Area Discovery Museum
If you are traveling with kids, then you must stop by the Bay Area Discovery Museum at 557 McReynolds Road in Sausalito. This museum brings out the creativity in every visitor of any age.
It's set on 7.5 acres of natural beauty with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Kids can create art, spend time in the 2.5-acre outdoor interactive exploration area, or learn more about the plants and animals in the bay.
Open Wednesday through Monday from 10 am to 4 pm; closed Tuesdays.
>> Get more details on the museum website
4. Lunch or Dinner on the Waterfront
There is no shortage of amazing places to eat in Sausalito. You will find both inexpensive places with just a few tables to higher-end expensive restaurants with clear views of San Francisco.
One of the least expensive options is a little place to the north of Casa Madrona hotel. It's a nondescript place with burgers, ice cream and fish & chips. My favorite high-end place is Scoma's on the southern end of Bridgeway.
5. Bay Model Visitor Center
One of the most overlooked Sausalito attractions is the Bay Model Visitor Center at 2100 Bridgeway. It's a free educational center managed by the U.S. Army.
Step inside to see a three-dimensional hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay. Incredibly, it's over 1.5 acres in size and shows you the flow of the bay from the Pacific Ocean all the way through the Delta to Sacramento.
It's unique and educational, and a good indoor option to have in mind if you're visiting Sausalito on a rainy day.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and all federal holidays. Free docent-led tours are offered on Saturday mornings.
6. Kayaking in the Bay
The calm waters around Sausalito create the perfect environment for your first kayaking experience. It's also a great way to see some amazing views of San Francisco, Tiburon and Sausalito.
My favorite company to go with is Sea Trek. They have excellent guides, reasonable prices and well-maintained equipment.
7. Historic Houseboat Walking Tour
The waters off the northern part of Sausalito are where you will find a small wooden houseboat community. It's famous in the area, but something that many people know little about.
On this three-hour tour, you get the chance to walk through the houseboat community, historic vessels, and the WWII Liberty Ship Yards. It's offered on Saturday and Sunday is $65 per person with a minimum of 6 people.
>> Visit Viator for details and to book your tour today
8. Sausalito Ferry
One of my favorite Sausalito attractions is the ferry ride to San Francisco for some of the best views of the bay. You get the chance to see Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the beautiful skyline of San Francisco.
The ferry runs several times a day and the ride takes about 30 minutes.
>> Check the current ferry schedule
9. Headlands Center for the Arts
Another one of the overlooked Sausalito attractions is the Headlands Center for the Arts. This one sits outside of town in a beautiful setting on the cliffs above the water where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet.
These rehabilitated military buildings not only host artists in residence but also regular public events, workshops, nature walks, community meals, and more. Their exhibits are ever changing, so what you see here depends on when you visit.
They open their doors to the public Thursday through Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. You will find them at 944 Simmonds Road.
>> Visit the Headlands website for more details
10. Jazz & Blues by the Bay
If you are looking for some local flare, then head over to Jazz and Blues by the Bay. It's a free event every Friday night from the end of May through September.
From 6:30 pm to 8 pm (6 pm to 7:30 pm in September), you can listen to local musicians at Gabrielson Park near Bridgeway and Pine Streets.
Feel free to bring a picnic and spread out on the lawn, or purchase local food and drink at the event.
>> Find this year's schedule of performers
11. Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito Cycling Tour
Take your time exploring Sausalito by bike (electric or regular) after arriving on a guided tour along SF's northern waterfront and over the Golden Gate Bridge.
The guided part lasts about 3 hours and concludes in the heart of this cute seaside town. It includes the bike rental and bike lock for the day, so you are welcome to stay and check out the art galleries, cafes, and shops on your own.
It's then up to you whether you want to ride back to San Francisco or take the ferry. During the busy season, there's also a convenient Sausalito bike drop service for an additional fee.
>> Read more details and make your reservation
Half-Day Trip that Includes a Stop at Muir Woods & Sausalito
Although you can easily get to Sausalito on your own, I recommend taking a tour if you plan to also visit Muir Woods. This beloved national monument is home to incredibly old, beautiful, towering coastal redwoods unlike anything you'll see elsewhere.
It can be tough to get out to Muir Woods on your own, even if you rent a car, since you have to reserve a parking spot ahead of time and navigate the winding road.
Therefore, this 4-hour combined tour is one of the best options. It offers you the chance to spend about an hour at each location. You can also stay longer in Sausalito at the end and come back by ferry.
This trip also includes a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. Overall, it's an easy way to get to these popular attractions with less hassle then going on your own.
You can book this tour online through GetYourGuide. It runs in both the morning and in the afternoon, so you can select the time that works best for you!
Where to Stay
If you love the peace and quiet of a small town, then I recommend spending a night or two in the peaceful village of Sausalito. There are only a handful of hotels, but they offer a quiet, serene setting away from the chaos of the city.
My favorite place is The Inn Above Tide. It sits right on the waterfront with amazing views of San Francisco and the waters of the bay. It's also just steps from the restaurants and shops in Sausalito.
The town calms down at night, so it leaves you with a well-located yet comfortable retreat. It's perfect for a romantic weekend getaway or just a night away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
>> Find out more about my favorite hotels in Sausalito
Ready to book a room? You can read recent reviews and find the best deal on Sausalito hotels and others around the Bay Area. Find the best deals today!
Other Ways to Get Here
You have a few different options to get to Sausalito. The most popular is the Sausalito ferry, which I mentioned above. Here are a few other great options.
Golden Gate Transit #130 Bus
Golden Gate Transit offers a direct route from San Francisco to downtown Sausalito. You will want to take their #130 bus. It drops you off right in the heart of the action.
If you are coming from Union Square, you can pick up the #130 at Mission and 3rd Streets. The ride takes about 50 minutes and costs $8.75 for per person each way.
NOTE: The Golden Gate Transit system is separate from the SF MUNI system, so you can still pay with Clipper, but not the Muni app or visitor passport.
If you are coming from Fisherman's Wharf, you can take the 28 MUNI bus to the stop at Lombard and Fillmore. Then catch the northbound #130 at the corner. This ride takes about 40 minutes and costs $8.75 per person each way.
Bike
Biking is another popular way to get over here. You can rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride it over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. The ride takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours.
Once you arrive, you can lock up your bike, grab some lunch and visit some of the top Sausalito attractions. You can then either bike back to SF or take the Sausalito ferry, which will drop you in Fisherman's Wharf close to the bike rental agencies.
If this option interests you, you can either reserve your bikes online in advance or go in person to one of the bike shops in Fisherman's Wharf. All have similar prices and services.
Drive
You can also drive to see the Sausalito attractions. You will need a car if you want to visit either the Bay Area Discovery Museum or the Headlands Center for the Arts.
If you don't plan on visiting either of those, then I recommend using one of the public transit options. They are cheaper and easier than finding a parking spot once you arrive.
>> More great ways to get from SF to Sausalito
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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