Not all towns have a clear personality, but Sausalito does. It attracts visitors with its gorgeous vistas and diverse small shops. Take a stroll and admire the impressive talent at Gallery 111, for example.
No trip to downtown Sausalito is complete without a stop for ice cream at Lappert’s. For something special, try the Hawaii flavors.
Shopping
Sausalito offers a variety of shopping options for visitors, from boutique stores to local seafood restaurants. The downtown area has a great selection of unique clothing and gift shops. You can find anything from vintage jewelry and artisan-crafted goods to handmade soaps and local coffee roasters. The best part is that you can walk or bike to most shops from the main waterfront area on Bridgeway Street. You can also take a break from the crowds and head down Caledonia Street for a more intimate experience with the local Sausalito community.
The town’s eclectic mix of houseboaters, families, artists, and retired residents offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Dining options reflect the diverse tastes of locals. A walk along Bridgeway Street reveals seafood eateries alongside other restaurants, while quieter Caledonia Street hosts neighborhood favorites.
Many of the local seafood restaurants in Sausalito feature outdoor seating overlooking incredible views of San Francisco. The renowned Venice Gourmet Deli and Kitti’s Place are great places to grab lunch with a view. For a vegetarian option, try Murray Circle or Davey Jones Deli, which offers plenty of vegetable-based entrees.
The upscale waterfront restaurant Angelino is a must-visit for a night out on the town. Its classic waterfront menu includes linguine with clams and grilled octopus salad. The ambiance perfectly balances cozy and cool, making it a great place for a date or a family outing.
No trip to Sausalito is complete without a stroll through the neighboring Mission District. The cutting-edge scene is a little more upscale than you might expect, with independent boutiques like Le PointOpens in a new window stocking emerging brands and the city’s top thrift shops, including Community ThriftOpens in a new window and RVCAOpens in a new window.
After a day of exploring, it’s time to treat yourself to some dessert. The ice cream shop Lappert’s is a favorite of locals. It offers inventive flavors such as Nuku Hiva, an homage to the tropical Hawaiian islands with coconut pineapple sorbet and brownie pieces. The quaint shop is in the heart of downtown, so you won’t have to travel far before tucking into a deliciously creamy treat.
Restaurants
The heart of Sausalito is found along the bustling waterfront area and quaint Bridgeway Street. This is where most local shops, restaurants, and bars are located. This is the perfect spot to start your day and explore what Sausalito offers. From souvenir shops to boutiques and art galleries, you will surely find something that catches your eye.
You’ll also find several iconic restaurants in downtown Sausalito that will leave you satiated and ready to take on the day. Salitos’ Crab House & Prime Rib is an iconic restaurant with checkered floors and sweeping Bay views that is the ultimate place to grab some surf and turf while in town.
If you’re looking for something more casual, join the many locals who flock to the new Joinery rotisserie and beer hall that opened in early 2017. This trendy spot is known for its juicy and flavorful rotisserie chicken and long tables that encourage socializing. The beer menu is beyond impressive, and you’ll find that the staff is super friendly and down to earth.
Another popular spot is Kitti’s Place, known for its fresh, crispy lettuce cups, Pad Thai, and grilled octopus salad. It’s a neighborhood hangout, and many of their loyal customers are on a first-name basis with the owners.
One of the best places for dinner downtown is Barrel House Tavern. This inviting waterfront oasis is perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and some small plates while enjoying stunning views of San Francisco, Treasure Island, and The Bay Bridge. Their fried chicken sandwich is a favorite, although hearty salads like the radicchio Caesar and Brussels sprouts are equally as satisfying.
There are many great seafood spots in downtown Sausalito, but one of the top picks is Scoma’s. This old-school Italian waterfront restaurant has been a favorite for multiple generations. It serves classics like linguine with clams and modern dishes like grilled octopus salad. They also have a fantastic happy hour with $6 wines by the glass, draft beer, and margaritas Monday through Friday (4 pm—7 pm).
Nightlife
Sausalito looks like a seaside East Coast town, and Positano had a baby with stunning views of the Bay and a whimsical feel. The city is a beautiful destination for a day trip or weekend away from San Francisco and has plenty of fabulous restaurants and activities to enjoy.
For wine lovers, a visit to Sausalito must include a stop at Bacchus and Venus. This little wine shop combines a tasting room with an art gallery and serves delicious nibbles with their small-production wines. They offer flight selections, wines by the glass, and an extensive list of artisan cheeses to complement your wine choices.
Another wine-tasting option in the area is the Fotsch Vineyards tasting room on the waterfront in downtown Sausalito. The winery is known for its Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines but also has a nice variety of other wines. The views of the bridge and water are spectacular from this location, and you can even get a peek at the ships passing by on their way to and from San Francisco.
Sausalito is also home to a handful of live music venues. Whether you are into blues, rock, or jazz, there will surely be a show that fits your taste in the area. The No Name Bar is a traditional small Sausalito music venue with a history going back decades, and they feature ten different bands or artists each week.
There is also a salsa dance night at Saylor’s on Friday or Saturday nights, which draws a diverse crowd that includes locals and visitors from all over the Bay Area. The atmosphere is electric, and a great energy on the dance floor draws people in.
If you would rather leave the driving to someone else, a few taxi companies in the area will pick you up from the ferry pier. They can usually provide a ride back to San Francisco, and some of the hotels in the region have shuttles that run to the ferry station throughout the day.
Things to Do
Sausalito is a small town, but it’s packed with plenty of things to do. From the historic downtown village ambiance to stunning views of San Francisco, there’s something for everyone.
Shopping is a must, with art galleries and boutique stores featuring everything from handmade jewelry to contemporary paintings. Many of these shops can be found along Bridgeway Promenade and Caledonia Street in New Town, but you’ll find even more options by heading to the lesser-known Old Town area. You’ll also find a handful of great restaurants and coffee bars here.
Another must-see in Old Town is the Bay Model, a 3-D representation of the San Francisco Bay. It is fascinating to learn more about the area and see how the tides, currents, river inflows, and other factors affect local life.
There are also a handful of small parks and green spaces to enjoy. Gabrielson Park is particularly scenic, with gorgeous vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island. During the summer, it’s also home to a weekly jazz festival.
If you’d rather be on the water, SF Bay Adventures offers a variety of sailing trips from the downtown Sausalito dock. You’ll see some of the Bay’s most iconic landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and more.
Visiting downtown Sausalito wouldn’t be complete without checking out its unique houseboat community. These floating homes are so colorful and eccentric that they’re a sight to behold. You can see some of them from the sidewalks around the city, but you’ll get the best view by renting a kayak from a local company and exploring the waterways by yourself.
You can also explore the pristine waterfront by walking on one of its boardwalks. There are two main ones, one near the ferry dock and one in Old Town, and both feature benches to sit on and take in the scenery. One of the most iconic images associated with Sausalito is its two elephant statues at Vina Del Mar Park. The statues are a popular photo-op, so snap some pictures!
