Sausalito deserves at least one full day to bask in the beauty of the town with its epic views of the Bay and beyond. You can explore the streets as a tourist while feeling the local warmth. Here are recommendations for a One-Day Sausalito Itinerary:
If it’s a clear, sunny day in the Bay Area, take the ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building to Sausalito. The trip costs $12 USD and takes 30 minutes across the bay. Be sure the check the schedule here before planning your trip.
If you want to ride and do not feel like driving into Sausalito, Ubers, Lyfts, etc offer services across the Golden Gate Bridge for about $15+ USD from the city.
Alternatively, you can also drive yourself. Note that there is no free parking in town for cars parked over 2 hours. Street meters cost about $1 per hour and lots cost about $3 per hour.
As soon as you get in, start with brunch! Depending on where you start in Sausalito, your first meal can be along the gorgeous waterfront in iconic restaurants like The Trident or Scomas. Or, if you are on the other side, you can start the day with fresh seafood at Fish.
The Trident
558 Bridgeway
+1-415-331-3232
Monday to Friday, 11am to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 10pm
Scoma’s of Sausalito
588 Bridgeway
+1-415-332-9551
Monday and Thursday, 11:30am to 9pm
Friday, 11:30am to 10pm
Saturday, 11am to 10pm
Sunday, 11am to 9pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Fish
350 Harbor Dr.
+1-415-331-3474
Daily, 11:30am to 8:30pm
Walk off your first meal by exploring the whole town. There are the gorgeous waterfront shops along Bridgeway catering to tourists, and there are also the local shops along Caledonia street catering to residents.
Then, of course, you must check out the historic and iconic houseboats along the waterfront. The floating homes each have their own unique design and history.
Since you have taken the day off to explore Sausalito, you might as well make the most of it and enjoying a fun day of drinking while talking through town. There are 3 to check out: Madrigal Family Winery, Bacchus and Venus, and Real Napa.
If you want more than wine, Barrel House Tavern and Bar Bocce are the best places to drink with excellent views of the waterfront. And, if you are a beer person, the Joinery beer hall is your place for draft beers.
Madrigal Family Winery
819 Bridgeway
+1-415-729-9549
Thursday to Monday, 12pm to 7pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Bacchus & Venus
769 Bridgeway
+1-415-331-2001
Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 7pm
Friday and Saturday, 11am to 7:30pm
Real Napa
611 Bridgeway
+1-415-332-0105
Monday to Thursday, 10:30am to 5:30pm
Friday to Saturday, 10:30am to 6:30pm
Sunday, 10:30am to 6pm
Barrel House Tavern
660 Bridgeway
+1-415-729-9593
Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 9pm
Bar Bocce
1250 Bridgeway
+1-415-331-0555
Monday to Friday, 11:30am to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 10pm
Joinery
300 Turney St
+1-415-766-8999
Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday, 11am to 9pm
After exploring the whole waterfront town and drinking it in, stay for dinner before heading back. You can dine like a local in the restaurants along Caledonia St, like at Sushi Ran or Sandrino.
Or, you can continue taking in the waterfront while feasting on seafood and prime rib at Salito’s. If you want to continue drinking while eating, Copita is a great place for tequila, margaritas, and Mexican food.
Sushi Ran
107 Caledonia St
+1-415-332-3620
Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 2:30pm and 5pm to 10pm
Friday, 12pm to 2:30pm and 5:30pm to 11pm
Saturday, 5:30pm to 11pm
Sunday, 5pm to 10pm
Sandrino
45 Caledonia St
+1-415-729-9166
Wednesday to Friday, 11:30am to 2:30pm and 5pm to 9:30pm
Saturday and Sunday, 11:#0am to 9:#0pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Copita Tequileria Y Comida
739 Bridgeway
+1-415-331-7400
Monday to Thursday, 11:30am to 9:30pm
Friday, 11:30am to 10:30pm
Saturday, 11am to 10:30pm
Sunday, 11am to 9:30pm
Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib
1200 Bridgeway
+1-415-331-3226
Daily, 11:30am to 10pm
If you are still not ready to go home after dinner, check out the two late night local bars in Sausalito. No Name Bar features some local jazz artists while Smitty’s further in town caters to drinkers who prefer the dive bar/sports bar scene.
No Name Bar
757 Bridgeway
+1-415-332-1392
Daily, 11am to 2am
Smitty’s
214 Caledonia St
+1-415-332-2637
Daily, 10am to 2am
If you drank too much or simply want more time to leisurely explore and enjoy Sausalito, stay a night or two in the local hotels or even rent a houseboat on AirBnB.
(Use my links on the sidebar or below for hotel booking websites for accommodations in Sausalito. With no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission with every booking – thank you in advance!)
If you plan to stay longer in Sausalito and need more recommendations of places to eat and drink, check out my lists of Sausalito recommendations
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