WALKING DOWN THE STREET OF SAUSALITO

SAUSALITO BAYFRONT DAY TOUR 
By Henry Libo-on


Introduction 

There are so many things to do in San Francisco that my three days are not enough to discover what this city by the bay is all about. I once lived in a nearby Daly City which is about 15 minutes ride to downtown San Francisco but even that did not give me extra time to move around the city. Now that I am here, I will try to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to the neighboring Sausalito City. 


How To Get There 

Together with my daughter Kristina and her Beau Curtis, we left the house in South San Francisco and followed our planned "road trip" to Sausalito City in Marin County. But first, we had a walking tour of Embarcadero Street in San Francisco to check on architectural styles of buildings both new and old as well as the historical sites along the road. 

After a few hours of the walking tour along the Embarcadero Street, we decided to have lunch at Sausalito City across the Golden Gate Bridge.  

We use GPS throughout our trip.  Curtis identified the area where we are going to go to Sausalito and work on the GPS to guide us there.  

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.  

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, enabled me to see the San Francisco Bay where a Ferry glided towards an unknown destination.  I guess she was loaded with tourists who want a cruise of the bay.  At a distance is the famous Alcatraz Island which, once upon a time, was the most guarded Jailhouse of the most notorious criminals in the United States. One of them was the youngest criminal Clarence Victor Carnes a.k.a. Choctaw Kid. A separate blog will be written about Alcatraz. 

It took us a few minutes to cross the bridge and soon our car maneuvered its final "touchdown" on the concrete road after the steel bridge. We continued driving towards Alexander Avenue, Vista Point, passed the tunnel and onwards to the Exit for Sausalito. 

Upon arrival in Sausalito's Bayfront, we looked for a parking spot in a nearby park.


A few facts about Sausalito.  According to the website of Sausalito, the City of Sausalito is located in Marin County, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and was incorporated on September 4, 1893. The City of Sausalito is 2.257 square miles in area and is home to 7,125 people, according to the US Census (2016).
Source: https://www.sausalito.gov/our-city/about-the-city-of-sausalito

Sausalito is the home of the Sausalito Yacht Club. Because of its proximity to San Francisco, many tourists go to Sausalito to experience what is it like to be in another city across the Golden Gate Bridge. Some tourists like me wanted to experience crossing the GG Bridge, spend a few minutes at Vista Point, and go shopping for souvenirs if not go dining at Sausalito. Some visitors take the boat from San Francisco and spend a few hours in Sausalito to enjoy the sceneries of the city or experience dining in several restaurants by the Bayfront.  Some adventure seekers, go to Sausalito to rent a boat and explore the Richardson Bay fronting Sausalito and Marin County to as far as the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Because of its more than a century old history, Sausalito is the place to find old houses and historical sites.  

When I saw these stairs, I remember that I visited Sausalito in 2006.  That was a long time ago and I forgot about the place.  This visit made me concentrate on what Sausalito has to offer for the visitors, the tourists, and travelers. 

This is one of the main streets in Sausalito where I saw the hillside residential area, the commercial district, and the Bayfront merge as one showcase that offer so many choices for tourists and adventurers. 

This is The Inn Above the Tide. As you can see in the picture above, this hotel is overlooking the Richardson Bay and offers a breathtaking view of the whole bay area as well as the skyline of San Francisco. According to its website, "it is a luxury hotel with 33 rooms and suites in a magnificent location for a uniquely inspiring retreat". 

After our walking tour of this Bayfront Sausalito, we decided to have lunch at The Trident. My first choice was The Spinnaker but hunger struck when we were almost at the end of Bridgeway Street, I guess. When we entered the restaurant, I saw a vacant table outside the "veranda" that faces the Richardson Bay. The breeze was cool. I saw a few birds flying at the distance. The sound of speedboats created a feeling of urgency and excitement. I did not see my daughter Tin2 for almost two years which made us exchange notes with "gusto". This made me forget that I want to eat Lobster....haha. 

Still inside The Trident.

This street near the park, right, is where you can find the Hotel Sausalito.

A view of the residential area on the hilltop and overlooking the Richardson Bay, Sausalito.  The photo was taken from the main road - Bridgeway Street. 

Sausalito's Plaza Vina del Mar Fountain and Park. Here, you can also find the parking area. 

  

This shop reminded me of the Psychoanalyst Dr. Eric Berne's book entitled "Games People Play".

A street going to the hillside.  Along the way, there are more shops. 

The Bayfront park. 

A restaurant by the bay, the Spinnaker pictured here, above and hereunder. 

This sculpture was done by an artist named Castillo. 

There is a Ferry service between the wharf at Sausalito and San Francisco. 

 I earlier planned to ride the ferry or the bus from San Francisco to Sausalito but I went on a "running tour" with my daughter Tin2 and Curtis from Embarcadero to Sausalito passing the Golden Gate Bridge. 

After lunch at The Trident, we went around to investigate what is sold in the shops along Bridgeway Street. Curtis saw this ice cream parlor and told me this is famous among tourists so I decided to investigate. Do you think the ice cream is yummy?

 A picture of the Golden Gate Bridge. I took a photo of the bridge but it is not good and I have a video but it is not of good quality so I did not post them. This photo was sourced from Google Earth.  This view is heading towards Alexander Avenue and Vista Point. (Photo captured from Google Earth.)

Things To Do in Sausalito

1.   Cross the Golden Gate Bridge

2.  Stay awhile at the Vista Point to see the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Skyline of San Francisco from this point.  

3.  Explore the Marin Headlands

4.  Visit the Bay Area Discovery Museum

5.  Stroll along the Sausalito Boardwalk.  

6.  The Muir Woods and enjoy the sight of Redwood trees and other flora and fauna in the area.  

7.  Discover Battery Spencer. It is also a Lookout to see the panoramic view of the bay and the Bridge. 

Where To Eat in Sausalito?

There are a lot of restaurants along Bridgeway Street, the main of Sausalito that is along the Bayfront. Please locate them on the Map following the list. On your walking tour of the Bayfront, you can choose which restaurant you will go to for a meal.  There are hamburgers and ice cream parlors along Bridgeway Street too. 

1.  The Trident
2.  Fish & Chips of Sausalito
3.  Thai Tanic Street food
4.  Taste of Rome
5.  Napa Valley Burger
6. Seafood Peddler, and 
7. The Spinnaker

Where To Stay in Sausalito? 

There are several hotels in Sausalito and the nearby Mill Valley area, and downtown San Francisco.  

In Sausalito, I passed by the Hotel Sausalito which is located near the restaurant where we had lunch, The Trident and another one located along Bridgeway Road is The Inn Above Tide.  It is located on the Bayfront and overlooking the Richardson Bay. 

My Tips

On this half-day tour of the Bayfront of Sausalito, there is nothing much that I can share on how you should go about your visit to Sausalito.  My experience taught me one thing - to stay in Sausalito for two days and one night so I can explore more places. Moreover, to enjoy the place, you must love boating because if you do, the place is perfect for you. There are islets that can be explored as well as go fishing in areas where fishing is allowed.  The cruising by Richardson Bay and San Francisco Bay can be an exciting experience for one who loves boating and sailing, so to speak.  

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I hope this blog gives you some hints on how to explore Sausalito in a half-day time. Please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this story with your friends.  Thanks.   

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Source: www.youtube.com

By PassportHeavy

Disclaimer: We do not own this video. Ownership belongs to PassportHeavy as it is shared through YouTube. 

Thank you Passport Heavy. 

November 23, 2019.
Updated on April 3, 2020. 

Reviewed on August 27, 2022. 

Reviewed on March 17, 2023.