If you thought this charming town near San Francisco was the best place to escape city life, wait until you take a quick trip across the bay and find yourself in the quaint, Marin village of Sausalito. This area was once home to the Coast Miwok, until the Spanish came through in 1775. Since, it evolved into a bustling transportation hub and became a hot spot for wealthy San Franciscans and expatriates to build lavish Victorians, as well as working-class merchants, fishermen, and railroad workers.
After World War II, Sausalito started attracting a more bohemian crowd of artists, writers, and musicians (like Shel Silverstein and Otis Redding, who wrote "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" here), a vibe that still exists today, making for a lovely day trip from San Francisco.
Grab your bike (or rent one) and head across the Golden Gate Bridge. After crossing, enjoy the leisurely downhill ride into the town of Sausalito. From Fisherman's Wharf, it's about an 8-mile ride. And you can always take the ferry back to San Francisco.
You can also catch a ferry from the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf (at Pier 41) via Golden Gate Ferry and Blue & Gold Fleet. It's a quick, relaxing ride that offers some pretty spectacular views around he San Francisco Bay.
However you get there, you'll first want to take a stroll along the waterfront, on the main drag of Bridgeway for cute boutiques, unique art galleries, excellent restaurants, and more incredible views.
Fuel up on coffee and Danish fare at The Lighthouse Café.
Head on over to the northern end of town to explore the over 500 houseboats floating on the bay.
Visit the Bay Model (admission is free!), a 2-acre model of the water environment of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta System that tracks real tides and currents.
If you have children, explore the interactive exhibits at the Bay Area Discovery Museum near the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Explore the grounds of Cavallo Point, a former U.S. Army post turned luxury hotel. Then, indulge in a massage, get an herbal or nutrition consultation, or alleviate stress through energy healing at the Healing Arts Center & Spa.
End your day at the historic waterfront haunt The Trident, where Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia and other artists used to hang out. You can even request Janis' favorite booth.
For more adventures outside the city, check out these 11 unique day trips from San Francisco.
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