OUT & ABOUT
The Sausalito Guide
Morning fog rolling off the Bay, masts clinking in the harbor, sunlight spilling across whitewashed cottages — Sausalito is where the sea breeze meets a creative pulse. Once an artist’s enclave, it’s now a refined mix of bohemian charm and modern coastal living. Every view feels cinematic, every corner a little bit golden hour.
The Vibe
Perched along the Bay just north of the Golden Gate, Sausalito feels like its own little world. The pace is slower, the air saltier, the light softer. It’s the kind of town where you might pop out for a coffee and end up sitting dockside for hours watching sailboats drift by.
There’s an effortless blend of sophistication and soul, a balance of European-style waterfront cafés and creative studios tucked in hillside cottages. You can take the Golden Gate Ferry to San Francisco in under 30 minutes, but somehow it always feels like you’re miles away.
You’ll love living here if: you crave beauty, creativity, and the feeling of being on vacation every single day.
Real Estate Snapshot: Sausalito offers a rare mix of historic Victorians, glass-walled moderns, and colorful floating homes. Waterfront property is among the most coveted in Marin, and hillside homes command unmatched views of the Bay and city skyline.
Local Lore
Once a bustling shipyard during World War II, Sausalito transformed into an artist’s haven in the postwar years, home to painters, writers, and musicians who turned its foggy charm into legend. Today, traces of that bohemian heritage remain from live jazz at No Name Bar to pottery still fired at Heath Ceramics.
Eat + Drink
Fish. — Dockside, sustainable seafood that defined Marin casual dining long before it was cool.
Bar Bocce — Wood-fired pizza, bocce courts, and wine with a view of the Bay.
The Trident — Retro seaside landmark known for classic seafood and rock-and-roll history.
Joinery — Local beer, burgers, and easy harbor views.
Copita — Modern Mexican, bold flavors, and arguably the best margarita in town.
Angelino — Family-owned Italian with waterfront tables and warm hospitality.
Farley & Sula at Cavallo Point — Coastal-inspired plates beneath the Golden Gate.
Sandrino — Intimate Italian wine bar tucked just off Caledonia.
The Spinnaker — Old-school dining literally perched over the water.
Sushi Ran — Michelin-recognized sushi in an unassuming neighborhood spot.
Smitty’s — The local dive that’s never gone out of style.
Franko & Co — Refined coffee and pastries with a European sensibility.
Photo Cred: Joinery
Where to Shop
Downtown Larkspur
The Marin Merchant — Vintage home décor and California-cool accessories.
Driver’s Market — Beloved local pantry with beautiful produce and artisan goods.
Heath Ceramics — Iconic design studio and working pottery since 1948.
Salt — A Nordic Californian lifestyle shop
Karl the Store — Elevated coastal wardrobe staples and home goods.
Cavallo Point — Part resort, part gallery — shop the curated boutique, art, and design store on-site.
Tile Fever — A tile and design studio with handpicked tile and stone from all over the world. Re-doing a bathroom or backsplash? This is your stop.
Where to Learn
Families are served by the Sausalito Marin City School District and nearby Tamalpais Union High School District.
Elementary students attend Willow Creek Academy or Bayside Martin Luther King Academy, both small and community-driven.
For high school, most continue to Tamalpais High School.
Private options include New Village School, Marin Montessori, and Marin Country Day School, all within a short drive.
Wellness + Movement
Cloudbreak Yoga — Ocean-view studio bringing calm and community.
SeaTrek Kayak & SUP — Paddleboard or kayak the harbor with Golden Gate views.
Fjord Sausalito — Floating sauna and cold plunge experience in the Bay — a Scandinavian ritual meets California calm.
Fort Baker — Trails, beaches, and bridge views that never get old.
Schoonmaker Beach — The easiest local beach when you just want a little picnic in the sand.
Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa — Eucalyptus steam, organic treatments, and total serenity.
Bridgeway Path — A locals’ route for runs, bikes, and dog walks along the water.
Where to Get Outside
Sausalito’s backyard is the Bay itself. Walk or bike the Bridgeway Promenade, hike the Cloud View Trail, or explore Fort Baker and the Marin Headlands for trails and unbeatable views. Visit Marinship Studios to see artists at work, or wander the Floating Home Docks — Liberty Dock and Issaquah Dock feel like tiny, colorful villages on the sea.
Photo Cred | Fjord Sausalito
Events + Happenings
Weekly Favorites
Jazz Nights at No Name Bar — Friday & Saturday evenings of timeless local music.
Sausalito Farmers Market — Sundays at Dunphy Park, small but full of character.
Annual Traditions
Sausalito Art Festival — September’s iconic waterfront celebration of international art and music.
Jazz by the Bay — Summer evenings of live music along the waterfront.
Lighted Boat Parade — December nights when the harbor glows with holiday magic.
Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks — Classic small-town celebration meets coastal charm.
Why We Love It
Sausalito is the meeting point of coast and culture — endlessly photogenic, yet genuinely lived-in. The light shifts, the fog rolls, and it all feels a little bit cinematic. It’s a place to slow down, breathe salt air, and remember how good it feels to call the Bay home.