Located in scenic Marin County, Sausalito has something for everyone. Looking for historical sites? From former forts to hydraulic models that once saved the whole San Francisco Bay, there’s a ton of rich history to be found in Sausalito.

Got an artistic soul? You’ll feel right at home in the city’s many art galleries and be surrounded by fellow artists who call the colorful Richardson Bay houseboats home. Want to take in some natural beauty? Sausalito is home to tons of hiking, biking, and walking trails, many of which feature some of the best views of San Francisco around.

With so many things to see and do, where should you start? Well, we’ve compiled our list of the absolute must-do things to do in Sausalito to help you plan your dream trip – from family-friendly museums to tours of the iconic houseboats. Add these unique activities to your Sausalito bucket list, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this stunning coastal California city!

The Top 15 Things to do in Sausalito

1. Take a Seaplane Tour

Departing from nearby Mill Valley, Seaplane Adventures offers one of the most unique things to do in Sausalito. Seaplane tours provide an exciting, one-of-a-kind view of the Bay Area and beyond. And with so many tour options, you’ll have a different experience every time you take to the sky.

Tours range in time from just 15 minutes to six hours. Depending on which tour you take, you may fly over the Golden Gate Bridge, see just why Alcatraz is called “The Rock,” spend the morning soaring over the natural beauty of Marin County, or enjoy the view of the San Francisco coast. 

One of our favorite options is the Sunset Champagne Tour, an incredibly romantic way to end a day in Sausalito. You’ll fly over some of the best sights to be found in the Bay Area as the sun makes its descent and bathes the sky in rich reds and oranges. And while you enjoy the view, you’ll also enjoy sipping champagne in the sky!

2. Explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is one of the best things to do in Sausalito if you’re visiting with children. This children’s museum is fun for the whole family, filled with interactive exhibits that’ll expand your imagination. 

Plus, it’s got one heck of a view. It’s located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, right at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge!

The museum houses 10 exhibits that will encourage your child to see the world in different ways. Study simulations of the ports of San Francisco and Oakland in Bay Hall, play in the sand with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge at BADM Beach, or build a skyline all your own at Cardboard City.

In addition to free playing in the exhibits, your kids can also participate in daily programs that are influenced by research-backed learning goals. Take part in the Building Challenge, navigate through a path of large-scale instruments in the Instrument Walk, build your own soft playground in the Imagination Playground, and so much more.

3. Tour the Art Galleries

Sausalito is quite an artistic town. It’s filled with artists of all kinds, and if you’re looking for things to do in Sausalito, popping into the city’s many art galleries is always a fun idea. 

Over on the Bridgeway Promenade, you’ll find some of the area’s best art galleries. Explore surrealism at Bubble Street Gallery, where you’ll find the work of Daniel Merriam and other select artists. 

Housed in the historic Princess Theater, Galerie Elektra features international fine art oil paintings and sculptures. Kokopelli Gallery shines a spotlight on Native American arts and jewelry from America’s southwest. 

If you’re looking for collectibles from Hollywood, music, and beyond, you’ll find them at the Millionaire Gallery. And if you’re on the hunt for handcrafted souvenirs from local artisans, head to Studio 33. 

Beyond the Bridgeway Promenade, other top spots for galleries include Princess Street and Caledonia Street. Caledonia is home to a second Studio 33, which functions as a co-working space for artists, as well as several other galleries. Princess is where you’ll find the beloved and quirky Scrimshaw Gallery, which focuses on nautical artwork.

4. See the Animals at the Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center is one of the most unique things to do in Sausalito because it goes beyond what you see in an aquarium. This non-profit is all about learning about the sea creatures just beyond our shores and restoring ill, injured, or abandoned ones back to health. Visiting here is one of the must-do things in Sausalito if you’re an animal or science lover.

Functioning as both a research and rehabilitation center, the Marine Mammal Center invites you to meet with animal care experts to gain a deeper understanding of these stunning creatures. Learn about what it takes to release an abandoned sea lion back to the wild, step into the “kitchen” to see how this center feeds the animals it’s caring for, and get a look at how these animals came into the center’s care. 

The Marine Mammal Center has several options for exploring its exhibits. You can venture around on your own, or you can take a tour. The Guided Tour option is led by an expert docent, who will tell you about the inner workings of the hospital and the animals within its care. 

The Behind-the-Scenes Tour will provide you with stories of the hospital’s lifesaving care, as well as a look at the innovative technology being used to make saving these animals possible. 

The second and fourth Sunday of each month is when you’ll find the Marine Science Sunday Interactive Programs, presentations by award-winning educators that focus on a variety of marine science topics. Whether you’re coming to the Marine Mammal Center to explore on your own or participate in a program, you must book your tickets online ahead of time.

5. Hike through Muir Woods National Monument

Located in nearby Mill Valley, the Muir Woods National Monument is one of the coolest Sausalito attractions if you love being in nature. When you walk through the famous old-growth redwoods, you’ll feel like you were transported to another planet – it’s truly out-of-this-world beautiful.

Muir Woods contains six miles of hiking trails, ranging from just half-hour loops to hours-long trails that extend into Mount Tamalpais State Park, so there’s a trail that’s perfect for every hiker. The Main Trail is often the busiest, but if you arrive early in the day, you can beat the crowds and soak in the beauty of the redwoods. 

For one of the best views, head up from the Dipsea Trail to the Sun Trail, a narrow path that goes high above Muir Woods. Take in the panoramic views, and then continue over to Lost Trail and Fern Creek, which head into the canyon and include a gorgeous redwood grove by a peaceful creek.

6. Explore Fort Cronkhite

Fort Cronkhite, located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Center, is a former WWII military base that’s now filled with trails that make for a beautiful day of exploring. However, it still has preserved barracks, mess halls, and other artifacts, making it one of the best Sausalito activities if you’re a nature lover or history buff.

Many of the buildings in Fort Cronkhite have been repurposed for the National Parks Service’s use, as well as the use of other non-profits. The Marine Mammal Center, for instance, is located inside the fort, as well as the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory and the Headlands Center for the Arts. You could spend a whole day here exploring the many scientific centers.

In addition to eye-opening attractions, you’ll also want to visit the fort’s miles of coastal trails. These trails provide breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and much more.

7. Tour Sausalito’s Iconic Houseboats

Visiting the famous Richardson Bay houseboats should be at the top of your Sausalito bucket list! Sausalito’s floating homes have a rich history dating back over 60 years. Today, many Sausalito residents still call the houseboats home.

You can take a self-guided walking tour of the houseboats at any time. Just remember to be respectful. People do live here, and it’s important to give their homes some space. You wouldn’t want someone trying to peek into your windows, so avoid doing it to someone else.

However, there is one time of the year when these colorful homes are more open to exploration. Every September, the Floating Homes Association offers an annual open-house tour, where visitors can see all there is to know about the floating home lifestyle. In addition to the tour, this event often includes live music and more entertainment.

8. Take a Food and Wine Tour

When you think of wine tours in California, you likely picture Napa or Sonoma. But Sausalito is a great place to go on a wine tour. And since the city is also filled with amazing restaurants, taking a food and wine tour is easily one of the best things to do in Sausalito!

Gourmet Food & Wine Tours offers you the ability to get your drink on while enjoying incredible cuisine. Taking place on the Bridgeway Promenade, this tour allows you to explore Sausalito’s downtown on a guided walk, where you’ll enjoy foods from renowned restaurants, bits of local history, and optional wine pairings.

Four sit-down restaurant experiences are included, as well as a stop at an organic coffee shop. At each sit-down, you’ll have farm-to-table and sea-to-table dishes paired with Napa or Italian varietals. And through it all, you’ll take in stunning views of Tiburon, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay.

9. Kayak to the Golden Gate Bridge

Sausalito is surrounded by so much natural beauty, and one of the best ways to see it all is by getting out on the water. You can opt to rent a kayak, but we recommend booking a tour instead. That way, you’ll have an experienced guide who can take you on adventures you may not be able to do on your own.

Sea Trek offers several different types of kayak trips. These tours range from being a great fit for beginners to requiring some previous kayaking experience. But even the beginner trips will allow you to see some incredible sights.

On the Scenic Sausalito Kayak Tour, you’ll kayak along the waterfront and take in both the local wildlife and the local culture when you kayak around the colorful floating neighborhoods. On the Angel Island Kayak Crossing Tour, you’ll kayak from Sausalito to Angel Island, where you’ll have lunch on a secluded beach.

But perhaps the coolest trip available is the Paddle the Gate Kayak Tour. On this trip, you’ll kayak under the iconic Golden Gate Bride and explore the north coast. If you’re visiting the Bay Area, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge is a must-do thing, but how many people can say that they kayaked under the famous landmark? 

10. Take a Sunset Sail

Taking a sail on the Schooner Freda B is one of the coolest things to do in Sausalito. This 80-foot sailboat is berthed in Downtown Sausalito and regularly runs both public and private sails. When you hop aboard for a sail, you’ll be taken to see many of the Bay Area’s famous sights, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge to Angel Island and Alcatraz.

Public sails vary depending on the day.  Wildlife and Ecology Sails take you on an ecology-themed tour of the Marin Headlands out to Point Bonita Lighthouse, where you’ll spot local wildlife and enjoy the views. Full Moon Sails take you out for a panorama of the San Francisco skyline and much more as you observe the moonrise from the deck. 

The ship also offers special Holiday Sails, which include trips during Veteran’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and the Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade. Or you can book a trip on a Sunset Sail, where you’ll watch the sun descend as you take in views of the San Francisco Bay.

11. Take a Trip Over to Angel Island

Known as the “Ellis Island of the West,” the Angel Island Immigration Station served as an essential immigration port from 1910 to 1940. Over 500,000 immigrants have come through Angel Island. Today, it’s a perfect place to spend a day of hiking and exploring the historic sites.

One of the best ways to see Angel Island is by taking the perimeter road, a 5-mile paved road that rings around the top historic locations. You can also take a guided tram tour on this road.

Then, take a tour of the immigration station. As the immigration station was used to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the tours don’t sugarcoat the history here. If you appreciate an honest look at a troubling time in our national history, you’ll appreciate the in-depth information offered at this historic site. 

If you’re looking for more views than history lessons, head to Fort Reynolds, where you’ll find a lovely beach with a panorama of Tiburon and the Golden Gate Bridge. Or head up Mount Livermore for views of the island and the cities beyond.

12. Spend a Day at the Beach

Sausalito has tons of opportunities for ocean views, but it also has places for you to get in the water yourself. If you’re a beach fan, spending a day frolicking in the sun and surf should definitely be on your Sausalito bucket list. 

Over in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you’ll find the lovely Stinson Beach. The beautiful white sand invites you to walk for miles as you take in scenic views. It’s a favorite surfing spot, but it’s also a great place to go for a swim, have a picnic, or play some volleyball.

Also in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is Rodeo Beach, a pebbly beach with a gorgeous lagoon. Another top surfing spot, Rodeo Beach is also an awesome spot for some bird-watching and being at one with nature.

13. Explore the Bridgeway Promenade

Visiting the Bridgeway Promenade is one of the must-do things in Sausalito if you want the full Sausalito experience. Here you’ll find some of the best views around, where you can take in sweeping vistas of San Francisco, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. You may also spot some otters playing in the water below!

In addition to beautiful views, you’ll also spot art galleries with works by talented local, national, and international artists. The Bridgeway Promenade also offers some of the best dining in Sausalito, often featuring views while you eat. 

Find some shade in the secluded Tiffany Park, or take in the views from Yee Tock Chee Park. Don’t forget to look for the hidden famous sea lion statue, which you can only see at low tide.

14. Take a Walk through the Marin Headlands

Located in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Marin Headlands offers one of the best places for some Sausalito sightseeing. On this hilly peninsula, you’ll find cliffs of oceanic rock giving way to stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. This fog-swept area is a picturesque landscape and truly a sight to behold. 

The headlands have a huge network of trails, so whatever your hiking level is, there’s a road for you to take. If you’re up for it, try Hill 88. It’s a challenging hike, but when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views of San Francisco.

For even more enticing views, take a walk to the Point Bonita Lighthouse. This still-active lighthouse is a beautiful and historic landmark. Making this trek is always lovely, but for an even more unique adventure, join the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for a night hike to the lighthouse on the full moon. 

15. Check out the Bay Model

Checking out the Bay Model is one of the coolest things to do in Sausalito if you’re a nature and history lover. The Bay Model essentially saved the Bay Area from environmental and economic disaster! 

This model of the San Francisco Bay Area was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers and includes a fascinating working hydraulic model of the bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Systems.

This highly accurate model allows scientists, educators, and visitors to see the entire bay with realistic tides and currents. It’s not your typical model. In fact, it’s two acres in size! 

Today, it’s a great teaching tool and an awesome attraction for science lovers. But in the 1950s, when it was built, it was a necessary tool to demonstrate just how bad a potential real estate expansion was going to be. 

The plan called for filling in the bay to make more land for developers, diverting water to Los Angeles, and increasing property values for real estate speculators. The so-called Reber Plan would have turned the northern and southern parts of the bay into evaporation ponds and made the central part lose its supply of fresh water. The idea would have destroyed the bay, and the Bay Model proved it.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Sausalito. What’s your favorite thing to do?

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