“The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding is arguably one of the greatest pop songs ever written. The song is filled with emotion: peace, awe, and a little loneliness. In the summer of 1967, Redding was on a houseboat at Waldo Point in Sausalito, California, when he first began penning the lyrics to “Dock of the Bay.” The first line he wrote down was, “Watching the ships come in and then I watch ‘em roll away again,” after being inspired by the sights and sounds of the San Francisco Bay. Sausalito will do that to you.
Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge or step off the ferry from San Francisco into Sausalito, and you’ll swear you’ve landed in a quaint European city. The boutiques, art galleries, scenic waterfront walks, homes perched on the sides of the hills, and boat-filled marinas give off Italian coast vibes. It’s the perfect destination for a short family vacation or a romantic adults-only getaway (in which case you have permission to skip the Discovery Museum!).
WHERE TO STAY
There are a variety of options for lodging in Sausalito. The family-friendly Cavallo Point is within walking distance of the Bay Area Discovery Museum and offers grand views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Most Sausalito hotels are of the boutique variety, so if it’s a national chain you’re looking for, you’ll have better luck in Corte Madera (10-minute drive) or San Rafael (20-minute drive).
WHAT TO DO
While you can easily enjoy a couple of days in Sausalito without anything more pressing on your schedule than strolling the town and sitting by the bay, here are a few places you may want to explore:
Bay Area Discovery Museum. Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge on 7.5 acres of National Parkland, BADM features exhibition spaces and daily programs for children six months to 10 years. A long, wide pathway is centered between the two rows of exhibition rooms so kids can roam from one space to another. There are outdoor play spaces, including BADM Beach, which is surrounded by comfy Adirondack chairs. Parents can relax and take in the gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge while the kids play with the sand toys.
Our family favorite was the bubble garden. Giant tubs of bubbles and various wands, including shovels with dozens of holes, are available for kids to fill the air with bubbles.
Advanced ticket reservations are required due to limited capacity.
San Francisco Bay Model. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model is a working hydraulic scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta System. While the Bay Model is still operational, it is no longer used for scientific research but is instead open to the public alongside educational exhibits.
The Army Corps of Engineers built the Bay Model in 1956-57 to demonstrate what would happen if the South Bay were dammed (as had been proposed). Using simulated tidal action, the Corps proved that the results would be disastrous for the bay environment, and the plan was shelved.
The model is approximately 320 by 400 feet long. It is constructed out of 286 five-ton concrete slabs joined together like a jigsaw puzzle. Features that affect the water flow of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are reproduced, including ship channels, rivers, creeks, sloughs, the canals in the Delta, fills, major wharves, piers, slips, dikes, bridges, and breakwaters.
The model is located in the Bay Model Visitor Center at 2100 Bridgeway Blvd. in Sausalito.
Sausalito Boardwalk. Sausalito is a town made for walking, and there’s no better place for a stroll than the Sausalito Boardwalk. The term “Sausalito Boardwalk” is generally used to refer to three different places in the town (only two of which have wooden sidewalks.)
The Bridgeway Promenade is not specifically a boardwalk but a road that runs through town. You’ll use Bridgeway to get almost anywhere in Sausalito by car, but it’s nice to take a walk or bike ride to check out the many locally-owned boutiques and art galleries.
The Southern Boardwalk is near Sausalito’s Old Town. This is the spot where you’ll have spectacular views across the bay to San Francisco that will be the backdrop for a gorgeous photo or ten. You’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. The Northern Boardwalk stretches along the yacht harbors near downtown.
Schoonmaker Beach. This tiny beach is tucked away from the tourist part of Sausalito and is perfect for safe wading and fun sand play. You can even launch a paddleboard–it’s a great, protected spot for learning! This little hidden beach has a bathroom and easy, free parking.
Pick up takeout and have a beach picnic or step across the parking lot to Le Garage, a French bistro housed in a renovated garage for lunch. Open Tuesday through Friday at 11:30 am, you’ll find indoor-outdoor seating and tables overlooking the water. The food is delicious, the wine list expansive, and they have a children’s menu.
Vista Point. Each year the Golden Gate Bridge attracts more than 10 million visitors to its 746-foot tall towers, sweeping main cables, and signature orange color. There isn’t a more Instagram-worthy photo than one of the bridge with the San Francisco skyline behind it, fog swirling around the base. The perfect place to take that photo is Vista Point.
Right after you exit the bridge from San Francisco into Marin, you’ll find the turn-off. Parking is usually readily available even if you have to circle once or twice. Time your stop for late morning, and you may be able to catch the fog burning off against blue skies. Later in the afternoon, you may luck into spectacular sunset skies.
While we can’t promise Sausalito will inspire you to write a legendary song, we can promise that you’ll fall in love with this lovely little city by the bay. Whether it’s your first visit or one of many, it’s a great choice for a laid-back weekend visit –hopefully soon.