Marin County Travel Guide: Sausalito Off The Beaten Track
Everyone loves Sausalito for the charming main street with amazing restaurants, and the promenade along the San Francisco Bay with views straight over the water to San Francisco. But when our Marin Hotels guests ask our staff for local’s recommendations for things to do in Sausalito, we’re ready! Below are some of our favorite things to do in Sausalito.
ps Acqua Hotel is located only a few minutes’ drive from all of our recommendations, it makes a great home base for your Sausalito explorations.
Art In Sausalito
The ICB Building in Sausalito aka the Tribeca of Sausalito, is home to over 100 artists working in every media you can think of. There is truly something for everyone, and the building itself is spectacular. Here’s a link to the artists at ICB, you can reach out for private studio visits. Or you can plan your visit around one of their open studio events. The next one is in December with a fun Opening Night Preview, Friday, December 1 (6-9pm) and Sat & Sun, Dec 2-3 11am-5pm.
If you want to make your own art, Bibby Gignilliat offers super fun, inspiring, and hands-on mixed media workshops and private and group lessons in her big and creative Sausalito studio.
Ceramics in Sausalito
Adjacent to the ICB Building is Heath Ceramics, a world-renown local Sausalito company that has been operating out of their Sausalito space since the 1950’s. The brand and the product have kept pace with current vibes and is as popular as ever. Don’t miss a chance to see their retail space (where they offer factory seconds!) and to take a factory tour, one of our favorite things to do in Sausalito!
Best Golden Gate Bridge View in Sausalito
The Travis Marina Bar is a true hidden gem! We think it offers the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County (or maybe anywhere!). However, it hasn’t always been easy to find their details online — when they’re open, the music calendar etc. WELL now they have a new website, so here you go. You’re going to want to bookmark this one for that moment when you’re looking for a stunning view, and a decent cocktail in a very laid back environment. (The photo at the top of this post is taken from Travis Marina Bar)
The Other Main Street In Sausalito
Calendonia Street in Sausalito was the original Main Street back in the day, and many visitors don’t find their way to this charming street packed with restaurants. There’s everything from casual Indian at Sartaj India Cafe to sushi at Michelin recommended and highly commended Sushi Ran to some truly amazing poke at Gilligan’s Poke Shop located in the back of a small grocery store. Have a wander around before lunch or dinner and see what speaks to you.
Walk Among The Floating Homes
The variety of architecture of the floating homes on the five docks in this community is incredible. You’ll see everything from shacks to pagodas to Victorians to to classic California bungalows, all floating side by side. Here’s a link to the Floating Homes of Sausalito Travel Guide.
Dine Bayside in Sausalito
With just over 4 miles of coastline along the San Francisco Bay, it stands to reason there are a few excellent, non-touristy dining experiences in Sausalito tucked into intimate nooks and crannies of the bay.
Our favorite bayside restaurants for the “we are sitting on a dock of the bay” feeling are Joinery (hello roast chicken!), Le Garage (hello french bistro vibe!), Bar Bocce (hello pizza!), and Fish (hello any fresh daily special!). All are casual and fun with excellent food and only-in-Sausalito bayside seating.
Joinery and Fish offer counter service & indoor and outdoor picnic tables; at Le Garage you will be served by flirty French waiters while dining on French Bistro food in a former garage situated in a marina. On nice evenings, the garage door is raised for a perfect indoor-outdoor feeling. Bar Bocce has a bayside bocce ball court and fun, easy outdoor atmosphere.
Sail in Sausalito
Taking a sail on the Schooner Freda B is not only one of our favorite things to do in Sausalito, it’s on our list of 25 Best Things To do in Marin! And that link also takes you to Acqua Hotel, our hotel located only a 5 minute drive from the heart of Sausalito.
