Oh Sausalito, you steal my heart every time I visit. It is truly a picturesque city on the bay and similar to the beautiful villages on the rugged coastline of Italy. Whether staying in the city for a few nights or visiting for the day here are some of our favorite things to do.
1.) Eat or have a drink at The Barrel House– Our absolute favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Sausalito. Put your name in for a table outside even if there is a long wait, it will not disappoint. My favorite spot is at the bar outside that overlooks the bay and the San Francisco skyline. I could sit here for hours with one of their delicious cocktails or entrees and just take in the gorgeous views.
2.) Stay at Inn Above the Tides- Splurge for a truly serene and unparalleled experience. Book a room with a balcony and enjoy every moment as you sit above the bay and enjoy the amazing views. We have stayed here twice in the same room, Queen with a balcony.
3.) Take a walk along the waterfront– Take a stroll along the water and enjoy the cool bay breeze hitting your face, the vast views of the bay and rolling hills with homes scattered across. There are several benches along the way you can stop at to enjoy the picturesque village and water views.
4.) Go for a run! One of our favorite runs was to Moore Rd Pier. The views here are just spectacular and the run itself had several pretty vantage points. We are avid runners and having a chance to experience new and beautiful scenery when running is a runners dream. On a clear day grab a selfie on Moore Rd Pier, you won’t regret it. We have had the picture taken here on display for two years.
5.) Get lost in the shopping– Whether you are looking for a shirt or souvenir that says Sausalito, shopping for boutique clothing or art, or even shopping for children’s clothes there is a shop for in this quaint city for you. There is even a Christmas store, called The Holiday Shoppe if you collect ornaments from all the places you visit like I do. Jewelry by the Bay is a great store to pick up some jewelry, or other unique accessories. I bought a hair clip here that I have received compliments on every time I wear it. If you are looking for some cute baby clothing, look no further than Cha Cha Cha. I am expecting a little girl and on the last trip to Sausalito I really found some great deals and adorable clothes here.
6.) Take a picture with the Golden Gate. There are a few options from the Sausalito side of the bridge to get great photos at. Our favorite spots are Battery Spencer and the Golden Gate Bridge View next to the Lonely Sailor Statue. The view at Fort Baker is a great vantage point as you are level with the Golden Gate. The view by the statue is below the Golden Gate, but still beautiful. I would try going when the skies are clear, but if you are on limited time it is still worth going no matter the weather.
7.) Visit the Avenue of the Giants– Muir Woods is only a short drive away. If you have time, I would not miss these big beautiful trees. There is nothing like staring up those huge trunks in awe of how big and old they are.
8.) Take the Ferry across the bay to San Francisco. When else are you going to have the opportunity to cross the Bay, passing Alcatraz while enjoying views of the Golden Gate? If you are not staying in San Francisco at all on your trip this is also a great way to travel into the city to spend the day or a few hours. You can not only miss the traffic but the headache of the Golden Gate Toll.
9.) Visit wine country! Downtown Sonoma is about 50 minutes and Downtown Napa is about an hour. There are so many amazing wineries to visit that you will most likely want to add a separate leg to your stay to experience them. If commuting from Sausalito, be sure to take a tour, hire a driver or use a ride share so your commute will be safe after the wine tastings.
These are just a few of the many things you can do in Sausalito, but this quaint city is definitely worth a stop on your Northern California trip!
