The charming town of Sausalito, California, is a secret gem just north of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. It is full of culture, history, beautiful views, and delicious food.
With its lovely Mediterranean style, this seaside haven is a great place to get away for both thrill-seekers and people who just want to relax.
There are some great things about this town that only locals know about. In this piece, we’ll tell you about them. This article talks about every aspect of Sausalito, from quiet beach vacations and historic sites to high-end restaurants and unique local art scenes. It’s a must-read for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful Californian town.
20+ Fun and Great Things to Do in Sausalito, California in 2024
1. The Golden Gate Bridge
Start your trip to Sausalito with a beautiful walk or bike ride across the famous Golden Gate Bridge. One of the best things to see in Sausalito, CA is the suspension bridge that links San Francisco Bay to Marin County.
The 1.7-mile walk is safe, well-kept, and has unbeatable views of the city skyline, the Pacific Ocean, and the impressive bridge itself. It is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Golden Gate Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94102
2. Sausalito Art Festival
Go to the Sausalito Art Festival every year over Labor Day weekend. It’s a fun thing to do in the fall in Sausalito. This event is the largest outdoor art show in the US. It takes place every year over three days.
This event has over 260 artists from all over the world and is known for its quality and scope. One of the things to do in the city is to enjoy live music, gourmet food, creative motivation, and a studio just for kids who want to start making art.
This is the address: 2400 Bridgeway #220, Sausalito, CA 94965
3. Bay Area Discovery Museum
A fun thing to do in Sausalito with kids is to check out the Bay Area Discovery Museum. The museum has been around since 1988 and has many indoor and outdoor engaging displays, such as the Tot Spot, the Lookout Cove, and more.
The museum is a fun place for families to interact with each other, and it claims that kids will learn through doing. Their school programs urge kids to be creative, explore the outdoors, and think critically.
Bay Hall has models of the ports of San Francisco and Oakland that kids can learn about. At BADM Beach, kids can play with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, or at Cardboard City, they can make their skyline.
This is the address: 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965
4. Fort Baker National Park
It is on 335 acres of land, almost right under the Golden State Bridge. Fort Baker National Park was a U.S. In 1905, the army posted there. The park now has Cavallo Point and the Institute at the Golden Gate after it was changed.
The park has more than 25 old army buildings grouped around a main parade ground. It also has a harbor with a jetty for safety, several old gun emplacements, walks, and wooded areas that rise up from San Francisco Bay.
There are many fun things to do in Sausalito, and the park is one of them. You can fish, hike, have lunch, and go kayaking, among other things.
The address is 94965 Sausalito, CA.
5. Richardson Bay Marina
You should not leave Sausalito without going to Richardson Bay Marina. The Richardson Bay Marina is famous for its Mediterranean style and stunning views. It is located in the waterfront town of Sausalito.
There are more than 220 slips at the port where you and your boat can dock. It also has some of the newest and best features. At the port, you can find a great spot for day sailing in the Bay or for cruising and fishing out to sea.
One of the unique things to do in Sausalito is to rent a kayak and paddle in the quiet bay. From the kayak, you can see the houseboat community, birds, and sea creatures. The address is 100 Gate 6 Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965.
6. Sausalito Historical Society
Want to do something fun in Sausalito, CA? Then go back in time at the Sausalito Historical Society, which has a lot of interesting things about Sausalito’s past.
The Sausalito Historical Society gathers and protects works of art, artifacts, photographs, and printed materials that show the past of Sausalito. The collection can also be used for study by the public and academics.
Their detailed displays tell stories about the town’s history, from the Miwok tribes that lived there before to how it became a shipbuilding hub during World War II. You can take a guided tour of this historic center to learn more about the town’s past and how it changed.
This is the address: 420 Litho St, Sausalito, CA 94965
7. Sausalito Ferry Ride
Taking a boat from Sausalito to see the beauty of San Francisco Bay is one of the best things to do today in Sausalito.
Take the boat from Sausalito to the San Francisco Bay. It will take about 30 minutes. The trip gives you stunning views of the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. There are several area ferry companies. So look at their schedule and make plans for your trip based on that.
The address is 94965 Sausalito, CA.
8. Gabrielson Park
Visit Gabrielson Park in Sausalito. It’s a fun thing to do with pets. The 36-acre park is right next to the Sausalito Ferry Pier and has some of the best views of Angel Island and the Bay Bridge.
There are many outdoor activities to do at the park, such as a small open lunch shelter, a 10-acre lake for making wishes, an enclosed shelter house for events, and a beach area for swimming. The well-known band Jazz and Blues by the Bay also plays in the park.
So if you go to the park at night, you might be able to see the band play live.
Harbor Street and Humboldt Avenue, Sausalito, CA 94965
9. The Marin Headlands
The Marin Headlands are a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County. They are just outside of Sausalito. People love going to the Marin Headlands because they have such beautiful views of the Bay Area, especially the Golden Gate Bridge.
There are miles of hiking trails in the Headlands that have great views of the city, the bay, and the ocean. Wildlife and birds of many kinds live in this area as well.
The 920-foot Hawk Hill, which is in the middle of the Marin Headlands skyline, is where you can see the biggest known flight of daytime raptors in the Pacific states. There are many beautiful places to visit near Sausalito, California. This is one of the best.
The address is Sausalito, CA 94965
10. Point Bonita Lighthouse
A walk to the Point Bonita Lighthouse is one of the unique things to do in Sausalito. The lighthouse is at Point Bonita, which is in the Marin Headlands and forms the entrance to San Francisco Bay. It has a beautiful view of the bay and the ocean waves nearby.
The lighthouse is taken care of by the US Coast Guard and is a popular spot for history buffs and people wanting to take pictures.
The Point Bonita Lighthouse is only open to the public two days a week during certain hours. So make sure you stick to your plans for the trip and remember to bring water and glasses to see the sea life.
The address is San Francisco Bay entry in the Marin Headlands, 94965 Sausalito, CA.
11. Battery Spencer
Battery Spencer has some of the most beautiful views in Sausalito, and you can enjoy them for free. At about 500 feet above the bay, this high cliff-top lookout point has great views. When the army was here, it was a great place for big coastal defense guns.
You can check out the view and the old, empty buildings that are still standing from when the battery was a military base, though many of them are locked up right now.
The address is Conzelman Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965.
12. Downtown Sausalito
If you’re going to Sausalito, you have to check out Downtown Sausalito. There are many different kinds of shops and restaurants in downtown Sausalito.
There are a lot of unique, locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and brew pubs along the sidewalks of Downtown Sausalito, making it a special place to visit. Locals and tourists alike like to hang out at shops and places like Real Napa, Le Garage, Claire’s Attic, and Paul and Shark.
The address is Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965.
13. Angel Island
Going to Angel Island is one of the best things to do near Sausalito, California. Angel Island is fun, exciting, and full of American history. It is known as the “Ellis Island of the West.”
Some of the best views of the Bay Area can be found on the Island, which is the second biggest island in San Francisco Bay. It also has a lot of outdoor activities for fun, like climbing, boating, camping, biking, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
San Francisco Bay is the address.
14. The Bay Model Visitor Center
One place in Sausalito, California that is good for families is the Bay Model Visitor Center. Also called the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model, the middle shows a scale model of the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta System that works.
The 1.5-acre model is the only one of its kind in the world, and it can simulate waves and currents. You should go to the model and see how the 3D model test works as part of your plan. The Bay Model Visitor Center is one of the free things to do in Sausalito because anyone can go there for free.
The address is 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965.
15. Rodeo Beach
Rodeo Beach has beautiful pebbly sand that both locals and tourists love. It’s dark, and the small rocks on the beach are brown, red, green, and blue.
Rodeo Beach is a fun spot close to San Francisco. You can surf and lay out in the sun at the beach. It also has a lot of features, such as free entry, public restrooms that are available to wheelchair users, showers, picnic tables, and barbecues right there.
If you want to do something in Sausalito with your dog, this beach is a good choice.
The address is 94965 Sausalito, CA.
16. Plaza Viña Del Mar Park
The Plaza Viña del Mar Park is a fun place to be outside and do things. The popular fountain, along with beautiful landscaping and elephant statues, can be found in Downtown Sausalito.
Willaim Faville, a builder, made the fountain that stands in the middle of the Viña Del Mar Plaza. Within the park, there are seats, a lawn, and lovely plants and landscaping.
When you’re just visiting the city, check out Plaza Viña del Mar Fountain and Park and enjoy the well-kept grounds.
This is the address: 2-98 Excelsior Ln, Sausalito, CA 94965
17. The Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center has been around since 1975 and takes in injured marine mammals until they are healthy enough to go back to their native habitat.
The Marin Mammal Center is at Fort Cronkhite in the Marin Headlands. It is open to the public and has tours and educational programs for all ages.
You will get to see how sea animals like harbor seals and sea lions are cared for during your visit. You can get in for free and take self-guided walks, but you have to make a reservation ahead of time.
2000 Bunker Rd, Sausalito, CA 94965
18. Waldo Point Harbor
In Sausalito, the Waldon Point Harbor is one of the best places to visit. It is a privately owned 245-berth floating home harbor, also known as.
The floating houses are privately owned and are at the northern end of Richardson Bay. Each one has a lease with the harbor for its berth.
Today, one of the free things to do in Sausalito is to go to Waldo Point Harbor and look at the floating houses and the dock.
The address is 1 Gate 5 Rd C, Sausalito, CA 94965.
19. Bridgeway Promenade
Taking a walk along the Bridgeway Promenade is a fun thing to do outside in Sausalito. In the south, the Bridgeway goes from the corner of Richardson Street and Bridgeway to Yee Tock Chee Park. It is 0.4 miles long.
Some people say that the Bridgeway Promenade is the best part of the Sausalito waterfront. There is a beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay and the city skyline from there.
It can get crowded here in the summer, but it’s still one of the best spots in Sausalito to visit.
The address is 94965 Sausalito, CA.
20. Muir Woods
Want to find fun things to do near Sausalito? Then go to Muir Woods National Monument for the day. The Muir Woods, which is close by in Mill Valley, is one of the best places for nature lovers to visit.
You’ll be amazed at how beautiful it is to walk through the famous old-growth redwoods and see their roots cool off in the freshwater of Redwood Creek.
There are six miles of hiking trails in the woods. The trails range from short runs that only take thirty minutes to long trails that go into Mount Tamalpais State Park and last all day.
Mill Valley, CA 94941
21. Trip To San Francisco
Going to San Francisco is a fun thing to do near Sausalito. The city is only a few minutes away from Sausalito and is known for its sparkling, windy, artistic, and culturally rich capital.
Also, one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in California is San Francisco. There are lots of fun things to do in the city, as well as historic sites and small shops. Take a trip here and have fun in San Francisco.
22. Have A Fancy Diner
Going out to eat at one of the restaurants in Sausalito, CA is one of the most lovely things for two people to do there. If you want to try southern food, there are many places in the city.
Visit one of these places with your partner while you’re in the city and see what they have to offer. Le Garage, Cavallo Point, Scoma’s of Sausalito, Napa Valley Burger Company, and Sushi Ran are some of the best places to eat in Sausalito.
Ideas for Things to Do in Sausalito
Sausalito, California, has a beautiful beach location, a rich past, a lively art scene, and world-class restaurants. There are many things to see and do there. Sausalito has something for everyone, whether they want to relax, go on a journey, or learn about other cultures. Have a safe trip!