Hurray! Spring has sprung and Sausalito has as well. Wait a minute…I hope you don’t get the wrong idea from that statement. It doesn’t matter really what you might imagine…rumors abound! It’s all good….really! What I mean to say is Spring is Here and Sausalito is ready to shed a few layers, break out the sunblock and swing into the Spring of things. There is plenty to do in Sausalito whether you’re a water baby or landlubber, hiker, biker or just plain spectator. And, there is so much to say about Spring in Sausalito.
By Rob Franco
Published: April, 2002
Hurray! Spring has sprung and Sausalito has as well. Wait a minute…I hope you don’t get the wrong idea from that statement. It doesn’t matter really what you might imagine…rumors abound! It’s all good….really! What I mean to say is Spring is Here and Sausalito is ready to shed a few layers, break out the sunblock and swing into the Spring of things. There is plenty to do in Sausalito whether you’re a water baby or landlubber, hiker, biker or just plain spectator. And, there is so much to say about Spring in Sausalito. I hardly know where to start. So, I’ll sit outside here, under the eave of Caffe Trieste, while I ponder what to write, and savor my Croissant and Cappuccino along with all the other fresh smells and sights to behold as Spring in Sausalito unfolds. For those of you that enjoy doing nothing, there is plenty of nothing to do in Sausalito and plenty local color to spectate.
Those of you who know, know that Spring in the North Bay, especially Sausalito is not to be missed. It is positively scintillating. The entire area is lush with greenery. And flower blossoms are sprouting from every tree. So whether you come by automobile, bus, bike or ferry, you owe it to yourself to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of Sausalito and the North Bay. You can’t go wrong if you simply want to hop on the Golden Gate Ferry or the Blue & Gold. Kick back with a cup-a-joe or glass of wine and just let it all unfold around you. Of course, when you look out at all there is to see on the Bay, it’s a symphony of sensory stimuli as you cross to great waters. You could as easily be coming into Porto Fino or Monte Carlo as it were, but without the jet lag or language problem.
Then you can leap into a wide assortment of activities and entertainment. Or, you can take a leisurely stroll around the waterfront downtown and up along the marinas to the North. Or walk up to Sausalito’s best-kept secret, Caledonia Street where the locals can be found as well as a number of top restaurants like Sushi Ran, Sweet Ginger, Arawan Thai, and cafes like Sartaj and Caffe Divino. There are also clothing boutiques like Green Apples, specialty shops like Pine Street Papery and a number of local services. There is even a terrific hardware store on Caledonia, Waterstreet Hardware, which has the reputation for having everything. People say, “dont let the size fool you, they’ll have what you need and more.” They have a lot of gadgets and gift items as well. A stroll along Caledonia is never a disappointment. You can even get a massage there as well or just a nice long soak at one of Sausalito’s great Spas in the area including Remede Spa & Salon at the North end of Caledonia or Rituals at 108 Caledonia.
Every Spring I like to pile the gang into the car and take a ride up to Napa and through the Sonoma Valley. The beauty of the hills all along the journey are indescribable. As you know, or may not know. There are places to eat along the way and delicious wineries too. But the drive and the scenery is special… Then, if you still have some energy left or get hungry on the trip back, you can stop in Sausalito and sample some of the best cuisine in the West.
One more special surprise that has sprung forth recently. The Famous and infamous Valhalla Restaurant has reopened in Sausalito. Located at 201 Bridgeway, the Valhalla offers food in the bistro tradition that emphasizes the western influences and respect for seasonal ingredients that defines Bay Area cuisine. Seafood is featured, including swordfish, sole, sand dabs, eastern lobsters, Maine sea scallops, Hawaiian white shrimp, tropical tuna and local catches. But there is also a fine selection of meat, poultry, and vegetarian dishes. Come to the Valhalla and welcome Director of Operations & Managing Partner, Rick Jones, Master Sommelier Nunzio Alioto and Executive Chef, Jeffrey Freburg to the North Bay, Sausalito and the Valhalla. The restaurant is open seven days a week: Lounge from 3:00pm and Dinner starting at 5:00pm.
Vallet parking is available and the Valhalla will soon be open for lunch as well.
Again, I want to wish you all a delicious Spring, full of new adventure and pleasurable experiences. Ciao.
