Hillside town with houses overlooking a bay and pier

Sausalito

Sausalito is a small waterfront town in Marin County with houseboats, wooden boatyards and hillside walks above Richardson Bay, a ferry ride from San Francisco.

Find a room in Sausalito Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Sausalito

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Sausalito is a small city in Marin County, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and about 4 miles (6 km) from San Francisco. The name is Spanish for a small willow grove, a nod to a freshwater spring early settlers used. The town sits on steep wooded hillsides above Richardson Bay, part of San Francisco Bay, with tidal flats along the shore.

Visitors come for the boatbuilding history, the artist studios and the houseboats at the north end, more than 400 of them, about two miles from downtown. Spaulding Wooden Boat Center lets you watch restoration of historic wooden sailing vessels. Much of the town's edge is Golden Gate National Recreation Area land, good for hiking and bay views. Passenger ferries run from downtown to the San Francisco Ferry Building and Pier 39. The downtown is compact and walkable. Expect cooler air off the bay, even on sunny days.

Sausalito in five

Take the Golden Gate Ferry from San FranciscoThe ferry links the San Francisco Ferry Building with the Sausalito Ferry Landing in about 30 minutes. An adult one-way fare is $8.50 with Clipper or a contactless card, or $14 with a paper ticket.Ferry fares
Check the last boat before you lingerSailings between the two terminals are limited, not every few minutes, and the timetable changes by date. Look up the last departure from Sausalito before you book dinner.Ferry timetable
Reserve Muir Woods parking or the shuttle firstMuir Woods needs a parking or shuttle reservation for every vehicle and shuttle rider, plus a separate $15 entrance pass for visitors 16 and over. Book both on GoMuirWoods.com before you set out.Muir Woods fees
Treat Sausalito as a half day, or stay for the quietA waterfront walk and a meal fit a half day from San Francisco. Stay overnight only if you want the town to yourself after the commuter and day-trip crowds leave.San Francisco
Landing at SFO? Check your ESTA before the ferry dayMost visitors reach Sausalito from San Francisco. If you are visa exempt, the ESTA must be approved before you board a flight to the US.ESTA explained

Things to do in Sausalito

See all attractions in Sausalito

Landmark · SausalitoBay Model Visitor Center

white and brown concrete building beside river during daytime

Sight · SausalitoSausalito Houseboats

Park · SausalitoViña del Mar Park

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SausalitoPut the places you like in Sausalito on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: San Francisco (SFO), across the bay
Getting there: Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building, about 30 minutes
Ferry fare: Adult one way: $8.50 Clipper or contactless, $14 paper ticket
Getting around: Walkable waterfront, with hills behind the main street
Time needed: Half a day; a full day with Muir Woods

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain11 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Mild, wet
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, wet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Spring green
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, clear
MayClear2 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°May Gray
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°June Gloom
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Fog, cool breeze
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Fog, busy
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Warm, clear
OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, clear
NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, quiet
DecemberRain10 rainy daysHigh13°Low9°Mild, holidays

Average daily high and low in Sausalito, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Sausalito

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 13°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 1 km/h
Chance of rain: 1%

Sausalito

12:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-8

Today19°9°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 1%.
Tue17°11°70%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 70%.
Wed19°11°6%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
Thu22°13°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri22°13°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat23°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun23°14°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 1%.

Updated 09:11 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Sausalito

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JunSan Francisco PrideSan Francisco, a day trip
OctCastro Street FairSan Francisco, a day trip

Day trips by train

Muir Woodsshort drive; reservation requiredA redwood national monument with a separate parking or shuttle booking and an entrance pass.
San Franciscoabout 30 minutes by ferryBack across the bay to the Ferry Building, the easiest way to build a city day around the crossing.Read the guide
Napa Valleya long day by carWine country north of the bay, best with an early start and a driver who is not tasting.Read the guide

Before you go to Sausalito

Car for Muir Woods or NapaMuir Woods needs a parking bookingCompare cars

Muir Woods and wine-country toursGuided trips without a parking huntCompare tours

eSIM for SausalitoReservation and ferry apps on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for the Bay AreaCover for theft and missed bookingsRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Sausalito, checked

Golden Gate Ferry to Sausalito, adult one way: $8.50 with Clipper or a contactless card, $14 paper ticket; youth and seniors $7; ages 4 and under free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
From Sausalito, tickets and payments are collected on arrival in San Francisco; terminal ticket machines are open 24 hours daily.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Muir Woods: parking or shuttle reservations are required for all vehicles and shuttle riders; entrance is $15 per person aged 16 and over, under 16 free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Sausalito

All of the USA

Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors

Read the guide San Francisco

The Ferry Building end of the crossing

Read the guide Napa Valley

Wine country, a long day north by car

Read the guide Plan transport

Ferries, cars and getting around the Bay Area

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Muir Woods and wine-country trips to compare

Read the guide

Sausalito FAQ

How do you get from San Francisco to Sausalito?

Take the Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building, about 30 minutes each way. An adult one-way fare is $8.50 with Clipper or a contactless card, or $14 for a paper ticket. Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge is the alternative.

Is the ferry to Sausalito worth it?

Yes for a half day. You cross the bay by boat instead of driving, then walk the waterfront. Sailings are limited, so check the timetable for your date and the last boat back.

Do you need a reservation for Muir Woods?

Yes for any vehicle or shuttle ride: the National Park Service requires a parking or shuttle reservation, booked on GoMuirWoods.com. Visitors 16 and over also pay a $15 entrance pass, which is separate from the reservation fee.

How long do you need in Sausalito?

Half a day covers the waterfront and a meal. A full day adds a bike ride or Muir Woods. Stay overnight only if you want quieter evenings than San Francisco offers.

Can you visit Sausalito and Muir Woods in one day?

Yes, but plan around the Muir Woods reservation and the last ferry. Go to the park first with a booked parking or shuttle slot, then spend the afternoon on the waterfront and take the ferry back.