Major city · United States
Sausalito
Go as a half-day or one night from San Francisco: ferry over, walk Bridgeway to Caledonia, ferry back. Skip the car — parking is scarce and pricey.
Sausalito is a small bayside town of about 7,300 people on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge, 25–35 minutes by ferry from San Francisco. The waterfront strip is walkable in an afternoon; the reason to sleep here is the view back across the bay and easy access to the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods. Most visitors come for a few hours, not a week.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Sep–Oct (clearest bay views); May–Jun also good
- avoid Dec–Feb (rain, grey); summer weekend afternoons (crowds, fog)
- Airports
- SFO · OAK · SJC
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sausalito911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sausalito, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a town this size; the real issues are petty car break-ins in waterfront lots, fast traffic on Bridgeway, and cold water…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSFO San Francisco International (About 30–45 min by car via US 101; no direct rail link to Sausalito).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range$25–45
- Street or quick mealBreakfast or brunch main$15–25
- BeerDraught beer or glass of wine$8–16
- Museum or sight ticketBay Model Visitor Center entryFree
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SFO San Francisco International (About 30–45 min by car via US 101; no direct rail link to Sausalito) · OAK Oakland International (About 40–60 min by car; longer by transit) · SJC San José Mineta International (About 1 h 15 min–1 h 45 min by car; the least convenient of the three)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sausalito: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The ferry landing, Bridgeway and Caledonia Street are all within about 15 minutes on foot. Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit buses link to San Rafael, Mill Valley and Bolinas; the Mill Valley–Sausalito Pathway is a bike-and-foot trail. A car is useful only for the Marin Headlands, Muir Woods and points north.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25–35 min on the water
Golden Gate Ferry from the Sausalito terminal to the Ferry Building, or Blue & Gold Fleet to Pier 41
The ferry is the point of the trip; sit on the upper deck for the bridge and skyline.
Mill Valley
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Marin Transit route 17, or the Mill Valley–Sausalito Pathway by bike or on foot
Gateway to Mt. Tamalpais trails; a good half-day pairing.
Tiburon
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min by car
Drive or bike around the bay; no direct ferry between the two
Waterfront lunch and a short walk; easy to combine with a Marin loop.
San Rafael
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Marin Transit route 17 or Golden Gate Transit route 130
Bigger downtown for a rainy day: shops, food, transit hub.
Muir Woods
cautionDoor to door: About 25–35 min by car
Car via CA-1 and Muir Woods Road; shuttle in season
Parking and entry are by reservation — book ahead or take the shuttle.
Bolinas
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Marin Transit route 61
Check the timetable; service is infrequent and the town is small.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bridgeway waterfront
Hotels and inns facing Richardson Bay; walk to the ferry in minutes. Priciest.
Caledonia Street
One block back from the water; cafés, shops and quieter streets. Still walkable to the ferry.
Marinship / north end
Near the Bay Model and boat docks; fewer beds, more parking, 15–25 min walk to the ferry.
Fort Baker / Cavallo Point
Below the bridge's north end, about 10 min by car from downtown; parkland setting.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$300 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Golden Gate Ferry, Sausalito ↔ San Francisco, both ways2 × US$16 | US$32 |
| Blue & Gold Fleet, Sausalito ↔ Pier 41, both ways2 × US$22 | US$44 |
| Bike hire in San Francisco, one day2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$77 |
| Trip total≈ US$422 per person per day, bed included | US$843 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout, tips not included. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Breakfast or brunch main | $15–25 |
| Casual lunch main | $18–30 |
| Dinner main, mid-range | $25–45 |
| Draught beer or glass of wine | $8–16 |
| Ferry to San Francisco, one way | $8–11 |
| Bay Model Visitor Center entry | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferries fill up late in the day, especially weekends; board early if you need seats or bike space.
- Parking near the ferry and Bridgeway is limited and metered; check posted limits before leaving the car.
- Fog can sit over the bay even when inland Marin is sunny — bring a layer.
- Some waterfront restaurants are aimed at day-trippers: check the menu and prices before sitting.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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SausalitoSausalito
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Sausalito; consulates-general are in San Francisco (most countries).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Golden Gate Ferry, Sausalito → San Francisco Ferry Building: about $8 one way, 25 min
- Blue & Gold Fleet, Sausalito → Pier 41: about $11 one way, 30–35 min
- Taxi or rideshare, Sausalito → downtown San Francisco: $45–70, 20–35 min depending on traffic (check)
Say or show
- Where is the ferry terminal? — Where is the ferry terminal?
- One ticket to San Francisco, please — One ticket to San Francisco, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- The check, please — The check, please
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sausalito. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Oct (clearest bay views); May–Jun also good · avoid Dec–Feb (rain, grey); summer weekend afternoons (crowds, fog) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry timetable fixture: last departures to San Francisco field-checked, with a taxi and bus fallback rung.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: ferry landing and Bridgeway, Caledonia Street, Marinship and the Bay Model.
- Place pages with verified hours (Bay Model, Bay Area Discovery Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Reservation fixtures for Muir Woods parking and shuttle so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Sausalito — official site
- officialGolden Gate Ferry — Sausalito service
- officialBlue & Gold Fleet — Sausalito service
- officialUS Army Corps of Engineers — Bay Model Visitor Center
- officialBay Area Discovery Museum
- officialMarin Transit — routes and timetables
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sausalito, revision 5242957 (CC BY-SA 4.0)