By Rob Franco, Executive Director of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce

What could be more fun in the North Bay than Summer in Sausalito? In addition to the magnificent beauty and panoramic views of San Francisco, Tiburon, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Mt. Tamalpias, etc., there are land and water fantasies to delight every interest and passion."

Let’s start on land. There are places for picnics everywhere in and around Sausalito. Numerous parks and points of interest are here to enjoy, including: the Discovery Museum in the East Fort. Baker area, Vista Point, which overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which includes Fort Barry and Fort Cronkite, both featuring spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and the Pacific Ocean. Then there is the Bay Model, which is a replica of the entire Bay, Bay Delta and estuary system, showing tides, salt and freshwater eco-systems that are unmatched anywhere in the world. The Bay Model also has a gallery of pictures and information about Sausalito when it was a working waterfront, where Liberty Ships were built during the war. It is an excellent historical, science and educational activity for the entire family.

For those of you who are interested in architecture and design, visit Sausalito’s unique houseboat colony on the North end of town. There, you will find over a hundred individually designed houseboats, all with distinctive character and personality. You can take a hike or rent a bike. Find out about a hundred other land based activities and pursuits that are available. Brochures are available from the Chamber and at the Visitors Center, a short walk from the ferry landing or at the various hotels throughout the City.

As for the water, you can enjoy a variety of activities. Spend the day kayaking, or sailing on the bay with a number of different rental and charter companies that can fulfill almost every pirates dream. You may even find a sunken treasure as part of the adventure…especially at low tide. You can take scuba lessons or learn to sail from some of the most seaworthy among us. There are a number of fishing charters for hire. Seaplane rides that give flying tours of the Bay Area are available for charter as well.

It is quite easy to get to Sausalito. There are tour busses from a number of different companies. Golden Gate Transit Busses have routes and schedules that can bring you back and forth throughout the day and night. Ferry service through the Blue & Gold Fleet and Golden Gate Ferries offer frequent service from Pier 39 and 41 as well as Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building. Throughout the summer, from May 25 to August 31, Blue & Gold offer late night Friday service between San Francisco, Sausalito and Tiburon. This new run offers riders an opportunity to depart San Francisco as late as 11pm from the Ferry Building and depart Sausalito, back to San Francisco, as late as 12 midnight. So, you can party late in Sausalito, not have to worry about parking or traffic and take a worry-free leisure cruise back to San Francisco.

Starting July 1st, there will be a local free shuttle called SALLY (Sausalito Area Local Land Yacht) to take you from one end of Sausalito to the other…with frequent loops to all points of interest in and around the City. SALLY Schedules and additional information will soon be available either at the Visitor’s KIOSK, from the Chamber or at City Hall. Schedule information will also be printed in all the local newspapers.

Now, let’s talk events of the Summer. Every Friday night through the summer, you can enjoy Jazz & Blues By The Bay, a weekly event hosted by the Sausalito Parks & Recreation Department. Bring a basket of goodies to nibble and/or share, a fine bottle of Chardonnay or Merlot and a blanket to Gabrielson Park. You can relax beside the bay waters, enjoy spectacular views of Angel Island, San Francisco and the setting sun while you listen to some of the best jazz and blues music West of Oakland. Also there is plenty of food on hand from sponsoring vendors or from one of Sausalito’s great cafés, delis, specialty food stores and restaurants. Come and mix among some of the most interesting people on the planet. All weekend long, you can enjoy live music in a number of local cafés and watering holes. Caffé Trieste, Gatsby’s and The Bar With No Name (affectionately shortened to the No Name) boast a stunning array of fine Bay Area musical talent. Enjoy a variety of tastes, atmospheres and music stylings while you are here.

Once again, the Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department is busy with plans for a spectacular 4th of July Celebration, capped by a fantastic fireworks display over the Bay. The 4th of July Parade begins at 10:00am and all-day festivities begin in Dunphy Park at noon. There will be music all day long with food, dancing, raffle prizes and family games prior to the evening fireworks.

One more way the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce serves the community and it’s membership is by disseminating a large volume of information through the mail, in person and over the phone when people call from around the world with questions about what to do while visiting the Bay Area. We urge you to call us anytime during business hours (9am to 5pm PDT) if you are interested in any other information about any of the services and fun outings previously mentioned in this article. Our phone number is (415) 331-7262. Or visit our website at www.sausalito.org. We are here to help you have a good time while you are visiting Sausalito or just passing through. Have a wonderful summer and we hope to see you soon.