Sausalito Top 5
1 Cavallo Point Historic accommodations in a national park, a Michelin-rated restaurant, cooking classes, hiking, biking—can it get any better? Oh yeah, how about a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from your room? cavallopoint.com
2 Green Apples With shoes, jewelry, dresses and shirts from more than 30 designers, here’s where to find the perfect addition to any outfit. shopgreenapples.com
3 Bay Area Discovery Museum This one-of-a-kind Bay Area treasure was created more than 20 years ago by four parents with a passion to provide a fun way for young children to learn and grow. baykidsmuseum.org
4 Poggio Sausalito restaurant entrepreneur Larry Mindel brings the taste of Italy to the city with his classic Italian trattoria featuring outdoor seating, local ingredients and an ever-changing menu. poggiotrattoria.com
5 Sea Trek For 27 years Bob Licht and his crew have offered classes, equipment and kayak trips for the novice or the more advanced paddler who wants to experience the bay from a new perspective. seatrek.com
As the sun rises behind the Bay Bridge, the perfect Sausalito day starts with a sneak attack—a gradual approach to the city aboard the earliest run of the Golden Gate Ferry from San Francisco on the vessel M.V. Marin. The Society of American Travel Writers named this voyage No. 2 in all the world, and with the Berkeley hills to the right, the Golden Gate Bridge to the left, the San Francisco skyline behind and Sausalito at the bow, there is no better way to arrive in Marin.
If the cool breeze didn’t provide enough of a wake-up, the next step is to head across the street to the Casa Madrona Hotel and Poggio, a classic Italian trattoria, for a real Italian cappuccino and breakfast-style panini.
Next, walk off that meal with a browse of the great shops and galleries along Bridgeway Boulevard and Caledonia Street, the twin arteries of Sausalito. Don’t miss the designer clothing at Green Apples, the wine selection at Bacchus & Venus and the quality local art at Robert Allen Fine Art.
Sausalito is full of all kinds of historical spots and unique features, such as a very large houseboat community, that are best discovered on two wheels. Stop by Mike’s Bikes for a rental and explore a little, and be sure to leave enough time to cruise the gorgeous Mill Valley–Sausalito bike path.
You started at sunrise, and in a city this beautiful it is only fitting that the perfect day end with a sunset. Take a walk along Bridgeway near Horizons Restaurant for an unobstructed view of San Francisco bathed in an orange light that slowly dips behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
With all that activity, hunger is surely setting in. Satisfy it at Sushi Ran, named a top Bay Area restaurant by Zagat. Enjoy flawless sushi and wash it down with a selection from the truly impressive wine and sake list—what could be more perfect?
Quick Picks
There is one common element to the Sausalito story: water. This city, after all, is one of the anchor points for what is arguably the most famous bridge in the world; a percentage of the population actually lives on the water; and Liberty ships were constructed here for World War II. There are many ways to experience the water: sample fresh seafood in a waterfront restaurant, or take a kayaking class or a ferry ride.
Did You Know?
• Pescadero, Eureka and Teutonia were names of planned Sausalito streets in an area covered by water.
• More than 15 percent of Sausalito lies under water.
• From 1922 to 1941 cars were ferried across the Golden Gate to Sausalito.
• Highway 101 was originally going to run along Bridgeway Boulevard, thus the boulevard’s name.
