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Sausalito Attractions & Activities: 11 Fun Ideas
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: January 30, 2024 • Published: September 26, 2013
Sausalito is a small waterside town across the bay from San Francisco. Many people come here only to shop or to have some lunch.
However, you will find several interesting Sausalito attractions and activities. They range from wine tasting to a historic houseboat walking tour.
In addition, you will find other fun options such as kayaking on the bay or a bike ride to or from San Francisco. Here are some of the best things to see and do during your visit to Sausalito.
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11 Top 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.
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 the 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 that 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. You can choose from their selection of either savory or sweet treats.
>> Visit their 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 Rd in Sausalito. This museum brings out the creativity in all kids.
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.
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. 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.
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 are 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 two-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. It isn't your typical attraction, but instead offers you some of the best views of the SF bay.
The ferry runs several times a day between San Francisco and Sausalito. The ride takes about 30 minutes and you get the chance to see Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the beautiful skyline of San Francisco. Find the latest schedule and get more details on taking this ferry during your visit.
>> More great ways to get from SF to Sausalito
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 on the cliffs above the water where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet.
This attraction features an ever-changing art exhibit, so what you see here depends on when you visit. They open their doors to the public Sunday through Thursday from 12 pm to 5 pm. You will find them at 944 Simmonds Road.
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.
>> Find this year's schedule of performers
11. Sausalito Food & Wine Tour
If you're up for both a little scenic walking and gourmet tasting, this 3.5-hour tour offers the perfect combination. Known for its quaint eateries with great bay views, the little town of Sausalito turns out to be a great place to taste local wines as well.
The tour includes a couple of wine pairings at distinct locations, an Italian lunch, and a boardwalk stroll on your way to coffee and dessert at a festive beach bar.
Along the way, you'll take in unique vistas of San Francisco and the surrounding area while your friendly guide fills you in on the local history.
>> Read more details and make your reservation
Half-Day Trip that Includes a Stop at Muir Woods & Sausalito
Although you can easily get over to Sausalito on your own, I recommend taking a tour if you plan to also visit Muir Woods. This lovely redwood forest houses the only coastal redwood trees left in the bay area. It's tough to get out to Muir Woods on your own, even if you rent a car.
This 4-hour combined tour is one of the best. It offers you the chance to spend about an hour at each location. You can also stay longer in Sausalito at the end if you want to spend some additional time there.
This trip also includes a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. Overall, it's an easy way to get to these two 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 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 even more about The Inn Above Tide and others in Sausalito on my hotels review page.
Are you 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 #30 bus. It drops you off right in the heart of the action.
If you are in Union Square, you can pick up #130 Golden Gate Transit bus Mission and 3rd Streets. The ride takes about 50 minutes and costs $8.00 for Golden Gate Transit per person each way.
If you are in Fisherman's Wharf, you can take the 28 MUNI bus to the stop on Lombard at Fillmore. You can then catch the northbound #130 at the corner. This ride takes about 40 minutes and costs $8.00 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 home. It 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 through GetYourGuide in advance or go in person to one of the bike shops in Fisherman's Wharf after you arrive. 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.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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