$28 Ferry Ride to Sausalito: A Perfect Half-Day Escape from San Francisco

Visiting Sausalito on the public ferry is one of the best travel deals in San Francisco.

The round-trip cost is $28. Since I am a senior, I only paid $16.

If you only have three days in San Francisco, I still recommend you dedicate half a day to this adventure.

Why? There is something timeless about approaching Sausalito by water. The town was never meant to be seen from a highway first. It was meant to rise slowly into view — white boats rocking in the harbor, hillside homes stacked like a Mediterranean postcard, and sunlight glinting off the bay. I swear I thought I was docking at a Cinque Terre village in Italy.

Historic Sausalito

Before Sausalito became a weekend escape for San Franciscans, it was a working waterfront with grit. During World War II, the town transformed almost overnight into a major shipbuilding center.

The Marinship Corporation constructed Liberty ships here at astonishing speed, employing thousands of workers — including women and minorities who were newly entering industrial jobs. The population surged as laborers poured in to support the war effort. Temporary housing filled the hillsides. The waterfront hummed with welding torches and steel hulls.

When the war ended, the shipyards closed, and the jobs disappeared. Artists and writers moved into abandoned waterfront structures and houseboats. What had been a wartime boomtown gradually evolved into a creative enclave.

Today, Sausalito is home to just over 7,000 full-time residents, yet its influence stretches far beyond its size. Its close connection to San Francisco — just a short ferry ride across the bay — has always shaped its identity. It feels separate yet deeply linked.

And the best way to experience that connection is still by ferry.

The Ferry Building

The Ferry Building itself is part of the ritual. Built in 1898 in the Beaux-Arts style, its clock tower has long served as a gateway to the bay. I loved walking through its vaulted marketplace before boarding.

Stop and look at the decorative mosaic tiles that adorn the walls. They were installed in the early 2000s as part of the Ferry Building’s restoration. The images symbolize San Francisco’s waterfront history and food culture.

I photographed the tiles of the crab, quail, and fish. Naturally, the crab references natives’ love affair with the Dungeness crab. The quail points to Bay Area wildlife. And the fish medallion is a nod to the Ferry Building’s original purpose as a transport and food hub.

Purchasing A Ferry Ticket to Sausalito

I walk through the Ferry Building to get to the ticket outlet for the public Golden Gate Ferry that runs between San Francisco and Sausalito. You can purchase tickets with cash, debit, or credit cards at the self-service machines. A helpful employee helps me get the senior discount by pushing a few buttons.

Tip: You can use your “Clipper” transit card to buy the ticket. Tap your Clipper card when you board (and tap off when returning from Sausalito). It usually gives you a cheaper fare than buying paper tickets.

I line up at Pier B to board the ferry. It isn’t a long wait as ferries run daily to Sausalito, typically every hour during the peak midday hours. (Tip: Grab a café latte at the café for your journey.)

Scenic Voyage to Sausalito

My ferry glides out past the Embarcadero, offering views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on the route. You definitely want to sit on top so you can see all the views. I think it is one of the most scenic ways to experience the Bay,

You can sit inside (protected from wind) or outside on deck for unobstructed views. My choice is to sit outdoors to get the most panoramic views of San Francisco. I ask a fellow passenger to take a photo of me. My hair swirls in my face due to the high winds. The fog is dense.

Within 30 minutes, the mood shifts. The wind softens. The pace slows. Sausalito appeared ahead, the hillside homes looking like a watercolor painting.

Sausalito Ferry Landing

Stepping off the ferry, I immediately sense that this town faces the water first and everything else second. The harbor curves gently around the shoreline. Sailboats tilt in their slips. The air carries salt and sunlight.

Sausalito’s charm is not accidental. Its narrow streets follow the natural slope of the hill. Its homes were built to maximize light and bay views. The town’s scale is intimate. This is Small Town USA.

Three unhurried hours are enough to explore the waterfront, absorb the history, and eat a leisurely lunch at a café.

Sausalito History Museum

Just steps from the ferry landing, it is a short walk to the Sausalito History Museum, housed in a former school building. Inside, exhibits tell the story of the Marinship shipyards and the dramatic wartime boom that reshaped the town. Photographs show rows of Liberty ships under construction, and workers crowded into hastily built housing.

The museum also explores the postwar houseboat community, when artists and nonconformists claimed the waterfront. This creative chapter defined Sausalito’s modern bohemian personality. Residents are deeply connected to the sea.

Yachts in Harbor

Walking along the Bridgeway, I see Sausalito’s present-day lifestyle on full display. The Yacht Harbor is lined with sailboats and polished vessels. I am sure Silicon Valley’s tech barons own a few of these yachts. The promenade offers open views back toward San Francisco, reminding me how close the two communities remain.

This stretch is ideal for slow wandering. Benches invite you to sit. The quality of light on the water changes by the minute. I stop to talk with several owners walking their dogs. At times like this, I miss my Golden Retriever horribly!

Historic Ark Row

Ark Row is one of Sausalito’s most distinctive neighborhoods because of its architecture. The brightly painted wooden structures were originally houseboats built from salvaged materials after the 1906 earthquake. Over time, they were pulled ashore and converted into shops and galleries.

Today, the historic Ark Row buildings retain their maritime character. Weathered wood siding, compact footprints, and nautical details hint at their floating origins.

I stare at the white and grey wooden building named “Ark Angel.” The sign includes a photo of an angel blowing a celestial horn. Ark Angel is a single-story, historic home available for rent. I wish I could stay overnight to experience Sausalito at night, when the tourists go home.

Dunphy Park

Continuing north along the waterfront, the path opens into Dunphy Park, where wide bay views stretch unobstructed. I sit down at a picnic table to talk to a resident who is training her 1-year-old puppy. We both laugh as the 8-pound dog tries to jump on me. He weighs less than my Siamese cats at home.

The nearby Cass Marina reflects the town’s quieter boating culture. These areas feel more local than tourist-driven. Parents push baby strollers. Cyclists pass along the Bay Trail. Runners complete their morning run.

Napa Street

After I turn off the “Bridgeway,” I see an abstract sculpture. It sits in a small public plaza at the triangle formed by Bridgeway, Caledonia Street, and Napa Street.

It looks like a steel sail mounted to the cement base. The name of the sculpture is Bolinar (Close to the Wind). It perfectly suits this corner of the town.

Instead of heading down Caledonia Street, I decide to climb Napa Street and take photos of the homes. They are stacked up along the hillside with eyes (windows) focused on the water. I see a mix of bungalows and boxy modern houses.

The little yellow bungalow nestles on the hill, partially hidden by a boxwood hedge. The front porch faces the road. I can picture myself sipping a cup of coffee at 6 am on the rooftop of my house while I watch the town wake up.

After I reach the top of the steep road, I look back down. The view below dazzles me. I see the sailboats lined up on the water. On the other side of the bay sits “Fog City.”

Caledonia Street

Turning inland toward Caledonia Street reveals a different side of Sausalito. Here, cafés and small businesses cater more to residents than visitors. The street feels like a neighborhood corridor rather than a postcard.

It offers a glimpse into daily life beyond the harbor views. You can find local services such as barbershops, salons, and dry cleaners. Plus, if a town has a hardware store, you know actual people live here.  

Casa Madrone Hotel & Spa

I continue my walk until I reach 801 Bridgeway. Perched above the waterfront, Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa began as a grand private hillside mansion in 1885.

Its architecture reflects the prosperity of Sausalito’s early years, when wealthy San Franciscans built hillside retreats across the bay. The property’s elevated position captures sweeping views of the harbor.

“From its glamorous past as a celebrity hideaway to its near-demolition—and restoration—in the 1970s, the property’s spirit and charm was preserved across the decades.”

The main building reflects Victorian and Italianate influences with its ornate verandas, porticos, and cornices that evoke the leisurely villas of Italy’s Tuscan countryside. Later expansions introduced complementary structures—such as hillside cottages and contemporary guest wings—while preserving the historic mansion’s architectural character.

In 2024, Casa Madrona was inducted into Historic Hotels of America®. 

Bay Trail

After I leave the hotel, I pass more restaurants and art galleries. But soon I reach an open stretch with a path parallel to the water. Bicyclists fly by me on the road.

Sausalito forms part of the larger Bay Trail network, connecting communities around the water. Cyclists frequently arrive from the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also rent a bike for a cycle adventure. Yee Tock Chee Park offers a final panoramic view back toward San Francisco.

Walk Along the Bay

Just beyond the Trident Restaurant, the polished harbor gives way to a more rugged edge of Sausalito. The path narrows and becomes rocky underfoot, hugging the water rather than rising above it. Here, the bay feels closer and more elemental.

Waves lap against the stones, seabirds skim low over the surface, and the town briefly fades behind me. This section of the walk feels less curated. I watch a mom and her toddler who are reading a book on a bench.

Along this stretch, a blue fish sculpture rises near the shoreline. Benches are positioned to face directly toward San Francisco, offering one of the clearest views of the foggy city skyline across the bay.

From here, the Ferry Building clock tower and downtown towers line up squarely. Sitting here, I feel both the closeness and the separation that define Sausalito’s relationship with San Francisco.

Hillside Staircase

Directly across the street from the rocky waterfront path, a steep concrete staircase climbs sharply into the hillside. It draws me upward into one of Sausalito’s most striking residential enclaves. The ascent is steep, bordered by lantern-style lights.

When I look down the stairs, I turn to see dense greenery that slowly opens to reveal breathtaking views of the bay below. As I climb, the harbor recedes, and the panorama widens, framing San Francisco across the water.

At the top, I find myself nestled among grand hillside mansions. I am afraid to trespass by climbing another short flight of stairs, so I remain at this level. Standing here, I feel slightly breathless but content. The climb back down is much easier.

Lunch at Sausalito Bakery & Cafe

I walk back along the Bridgeway, which is the main waterfront street. I could choose between several expensive restaurants with expansive bay views. But I chose the Sausalito Bakery & Café. From my sidewalk table, I can happily eat my Nicoise salad while I watch the power boats zoom around on the water.

Since my ferry doesn’t depart until 1:30 pm, I treat myself to an apple tart for dessert. While I sip my café latte, I think about Sausalito and its history as a working seaport during WWII and then a haven for artists.

A Perfect City Escape

Sausalito embodies the idea that adventure can be simple. The logistics are easy. The walkability is excellent. The ferry ride itself is part of the joy. History, architecture, maritime culture, and scenic beauty coexist within a compact footprint.

It is not a dramatic expedition. It is something better — a reminder that transformation sometimes requires only 30 minutes across the bay.

And then, just as gently as I arrived, I glide back toward San Francisco, the skyline reappearing ahead. There’s still time to visit a museum along the Pier.