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I love taking a day trip to Sausalito from San Francisco, my hometown. There are many reasons why it’s one of the best day trips from San Francisco. Sausalito is a relaxing place to spend a day. Getting there is easy, and who can say no to fresh sea air?
The city and coastline are great places to walk around, plus there are plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. Discover my favorite things to do on a day trip to Sausalito from San Francisco, including how to get there, what to do, where to eat and drink, and where to stay when you inevitably fall in love with one of California’s best coastal towns.
Getting From San Francisco To Sausalito
There are several easy ways to get to Sausalito from San Francisco.
Sausalito Tours From San Francisco
Sausalito tours are available if you want to visit but don’t want to deal with planning or logistics.
Many of these tours also include nearby Muir Woods, so if you’re short on time, this can be an excellent way to check more highlights off your list.
Book your hotel in San Francisco Bay Area now!Sausalito By Bicycle
One of the most quintessential Bay Area experiences is renting a bike in San Francisco, riding across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and then returning to the city (either by riding back or by taking the ferry—see below for more details about the Sausalito ferry).
The bike ride is beautiful, passing through the coastal areas of the Marina and Crissy Field before heading up the hill to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The descent into Sausalito is one to be careful with, especially if it has been a while since you’ve been on a bike. Yeah, I took forever on the ride the one time I did it.
Once you’re in Sausalito, you’ll have plenty of time to explore before returning the bike to San Francisco. One word of caution: many signs around Sausalito prohibit bicycle parking, so be sure to follow the rules when leaving your bike somewhere.
Book a bike rental in San Francisco here
San Francisco To Sausalito By Ferry
My favorite way to get to Sausalito from San Francisco is by ferry. Who can pass up a nice boat ride on a sunny day? You also get excellent views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The most popular Sausalito day trip is to rent a bike in San Francisco, then ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, returning to San Francisco by ferry. Or you can take the ferry both ways.
Two companies operate ferries to Sausalito.
Blue and Gold Fleet operates ferries between San Francisco’s Pier 41 and Sausalito. These ferries are the most convenient if you rent a bike at Fisherman’s Wharf, ride to Sausalito, and return by ferry. Go here for schedules.
Golden Gate Ferries runs from the Ferry Building in San Francisco to Sausalito. This route is longer but has spectacular views of the city. It also means you can get food at the Ferry Building before or after. One drawback is that if you have rented a bicycle at Fisherman’s Wharf, you will have to ride back there if you return from Sausalito via ferry to the Ferry Building. You can save money on tickets using a Clipper Card, the Bay Area’s regional transport card. See here for the latest schedules and other information.
San Francisco To Sausalito By Bus Or Car
Sausalito is just a short drive from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. If you have access to a car, you can park in the town and then explore on foot.
However, consider whether you really need to rent a car in San Francisco. Not only are cars expensive, but parking rates at hotels are also high, and cars are subject to break-ins. Instead, try public transportation. Also, Uber or Lyft rides around the city don’t cost that much, and you can even take one to Sausalito.
Golden Gate Transit has buses between downtown San Francisco (starting at the Salesforce Transit Terminal) and Sausalito. Bus 130 runs right through downtown Sausalito. The buses run down Van Ness and Lombard, making them convenient for many San Francisco hotels. The buses also accept Clipper cards. This is often how I get to and from Sausalito if the ferry schedules don’t align with mine.
Sausalito Itinerary And Activities
How much you can see and do in Sausalito in one day depends on how you arrive. If you plan on biking over the Golden Gate Bridge or visiting Muir Woods, you’ll likely just have the afternoon to explore. You’ll have longer if you arrive by ferry, car, or bus.
For a full-day trip to Sausalito, I recommend starting at the Bay Model. This unique engineering museum tells the history of water in the Bay Area and includes an expansive model of the Bay. Of course, it’s the sort of place that’s not interesting to everyone!
Alternatively, you can start your Sausalito day trip by exploring more of the coastline by land or water. There are kayak rentals and sailboat rides available from companies such as Fine Day For Sailing, Sausalito Boat Rentals, and Sailing SF Bay. For land lovers, walk or bike along the coastal paths and Bridgeway, Sausalito’s main street. The waterside has marinas, parks, nature viewing, and Sausalito’s famous floating homes.
Most Sausalito visitors will arrive by bicycle or ferry. The city’s compact nature makes it easy to get around and see most of it in just a few hours.
For those walking or biking, the path along Bridgeway is dotted with bars, restaurants, and shops.
Downtown Sausalito has everything you’d expect from a seaside town. There are shops selling everything from clothing and games to art and souvenirs.
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If you’re interested in history, like I am, head to the Sausalito Historical Society Museum.
For more Sausalito activity ideas, check out my list of the best things to do in Sausalito.
Eating And Drinking In Sausalito
Sausalito has plenty of great restaurants and bars. Most are located along Bridgeway (or within a block or two of it). If you arrive by bike, you’ll most likely arrive hungry and just in time for lunch.
For seafood, visit Scoma’s, the Trident, or Fish.
I also particularly like Venice Gourmet Delicatessen, Copita, Joinery, Saylor’s, Sandrino Pizza & Vino, and last but not least, Lappert’s Ice Cream.
There are also excellent cocktail bars, beer bars, and wine bars in Sausalito. Head to each link for more details.
Hotels In Sausalito
For many people, taking a day trip to Sausalito isn’t enough. If that’s the case for you, I recommend these hotels to turn your day trip into a multi-day stay.
Located right at the Sausalito ferry, The Inn Above Tide has amazing water views.
Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is also located in downtown Sausalito.
If you prefer a more relaxing hotel with hiking and views, stay at Cavallo Point Lodge in Fort Baker.
Whether you take a day trip to Sausalito or stay longer, it’s one of the best quick getaways from San Francisco, packed with plenty of fun things to do.
Here are some great San Francisco tours & other things to see & do in San Francisco.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out these Sausalito hotels.
