Travel Guide to Sausalito and Its 5 Best Attractions
Travelers thinking of visiting Sausalito should take a look at our spotlight, as Hopper has collected the town's top 5 attractions, restaurants and hotels.
Hopper Editors - Thu Oct 26 2017
Half an hour’s drive from San Francisco, just over the Golden Gate Bridge, is the quiet, scenic city of Sausalito. A popular residential area, this waterside city famously has a large number of striking houseboats. Being surrounded by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, travelers will find an abundance of wildlife and outdoorsy activities, including boating, kayaking, hiking and biking. Not only is Sausalito close to San Francisco, it’s also near the scenic north coast and "Wine Country," for those who’d like to tie in their visit with a few other attractions. There are numerous tours and excursions on offer that are unique to the local area, many of which being based around the water. There are two famed attractions here too, the Marine Mammal Center and the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Visit the rescued animals at the Marine Mammal Center
Photo by Mike Baird via Flickr
Being one of the largest wild animal hospitals in the world, this center is a real must-see for visitors to Sausalito, as they can get close looks at the animals as they’re nursed back to health in preparation for their re-release into the wild. The center is very family friendly and visitors can enjoy the exhibits as well as take part in educational classes.
Learn about the coastal life with the Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour
Photo by Trey Pitsenberger via Flickr
The Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour takes visitors on walking tours of the Sausalito waterfront and to its famed houseboat communities. Other stops include historic vessels, WWII liberty shipyards, floating art studios and the Spaulding Wooden Boat Center. There are a variety of tours lasting different lengths of time, from the aforementioned wooden boat tour, which lasts one and a half hours, to a three-hour walking tour. Some of the other things on offer are nautical history tours and treasure hunts.
Get some super-fresh seafood at Fish
Photo by Far Out City via Flickr
This local restaurant is dedicated to serving up only the freshest, organic, locally fished and sustainable seafood they can get their hands on. The fish is then grilled over a wood fire for that extra authentic flavor. Choose from their daily fish grill, pasta, fish tacos and more. One particularly popular dish is their New England white clam chowder, with clams, bacon, potatoes, onion, celery and their own secret blend of herbs.
Alternatively, dine with a panoramic view at The Spinnaker
Perched on stilts out on the water, The Spinnaker makes the most of its surroundings. The panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline are breathtaking, and the restaurant even claims they have the best view in the San Francisco Bay Area! Patrons who can tear themselves away from the views long enough to look at the menu will find plenty of seafood options, like clam chowder and crab cakes, as well as heartier options like pasta and steak.
Check into The Inn Above Tide for a room with a view
There are 29 rooms and suites at this inn, all of which are directly over the water and offer fantastic views of the San Francisco city skyline. Couples will love the hotel, as they can sit by the fireplace in their room, or perhaps in their spa tub, or they can step out to watch some sea lions from their private balcony. The inn is located just minutes from the galleries, restaurants and shops of Sausalito.