THE FUN NEVER STOPS! You can have fun in Sausalito without having to do anything. Just sitting on the deck of one of Sausalito’s fine restaurants or cafes, looking out at the water or across the Bay at San Francisco is fun enough. However, if you want to be active, you can be plenty active in Sausalito. There is much to do and there are a number of special events happening all the time that you will enjoy.
By Rob Franco, Executive Director of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce
Published: September, 2001
THE FUN NEVER STOPS! You can have fun in Sausalito without having to do anything. Just sitting on the deck of one of Sausalito’s fine restaurants or cafes, looking out at the water or across the Bay at San Francisco is fun enough. However, if you want to be active, you can be plenty active in Sausalito. There is much to do and there are a number of special events happening all the time that you will enjoy
As I mentioned in last month’s column, the Sausalito Cultural Arts Foundation is about to hold its 49th Annual Sausalito Art Festival over Labor Day Weekend, September 1, 2 and 3. On Friday, August 31st, there is, or was, depending on when you read this, a Gala Premiere of the Festival, at the site, that features gourmet food, top-notch entertainment, a hosted bar and all sorts of surprises. It is considered by all previous attendees to be the best party of the year in the North Bay. If you are in the area over Labor Day, the Art Festival is a great experience. And, you may take home some of the finest original art exhibited anywhere in the Bay Area. There are 270 artists that have been selected to exhibit and sell at this years three-day juried event. Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $7 for seniors and $5 for juniors ages 5-12. Children under 5 free. For advance Blue & Gold ferry and Festival tickets, call (415) 705-5555.
And, if that is not enough, how about Art Festival at Sea? On October 12, 2001, art lovers, or just plain lovers, and some of the Artists who are exhibiting at this year’s Art Festival, will sail under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset for a most delicious experience. You can spend five nights aboard Holland America’s Five Star SS Veendam, landing in Acapulco on October 17th. The first two days on the ship, your hosts will take over the ship’s meeting rooms for an intimate Mini Art Festival. The third day is spent in Cabo San Lucas, with shore excursions available and a number of other activities. If you can’t make this trip, they re already planning another Art Festival at Sea for Spring 2002. For further information, please telephone (415) 332-3555. Or email artfestone@aol.com.
Let’s move on to other activities and events you can expect this month. On September 11th there is the Annual Chili Cook-off at Dunphy Park. You don’t want to miss this event! There will be loads of refreshment, live entertainment and some of the best chili west of the Mason-Dixon line. Chefs and any other daring entrée in the area will be facing-off with the recipe that 1.) contributes the most to global warming and 2.) deserves to wear the crown and blue ribbon for the best godzanginest chili in the West. This is always a fun and festive event. Call (415) 289-4140 for more details.
On September 30th, you can enjoy the Annual Floating Homes Showcase Tour. If you are not aware of the houseboat community we have here in Sausalito, this is a great opportunity to see some of the most unique living quarters anywhere in the world. Artists, craftspeople, builders and designers are amply represented in this colorful feast for the eyes. The Floating Home Association represents over 400 houseboats in five floating home marinas on Richardson Bay. You will find the floating home/houseboat community at the North end of Sausalito. For additional information about this Showcase tour call: (415) 332-1916. Or for group tours call: (415) 461-8087.
Remember, there is a Farmers Market in Downtown Sausalito every Friday night along Tracy Way, just off the water and walking distance from the Ferry. And, as I mentioned to you before, you can now take SALLY (Sausalito Area Local Land Yacht), our mini-shuttle bus, from one end of Sausalito to the other. The shuttle runs from the Ferry Landing to the North End of town. And makes the loop every 15 minutes with reasonable traffic conditions. But, SALLY is a great way to get somewhere in Sausalito without have to use your car or find parking. It’s also a terrific way just to see the sights in all parts of Sausalito. The shuttle travels along Caledonia Street on the return leg of the loop. As I have previously mentioned, Caledonia is considered the best kept secret in Sausalito because it is the old main street and is considered mostly resident serving. However, any night of the week you can enjoy a delicious meal in one of a number of fine restaurants. Or, you just might want to take in a movie or catch some live music one night, all of which you will find along Caledonia.
Last, but not least, mark your calendars for one of the most unique events that Sausalito has ever had. From October 6th to the 13th, there will be Opera By The Bay, a celebration of Opera and a competition where students of Opera can compete for scholarships and other awards that are just part of the festivities. On October 10th there will be a major opera concert in Marinship Park that will feature the world famous diva, Marilyn Horne, who will sing choice arias, backed by a full orchestra. In addition there will be food and refreshments served throughout the festivities. Whether you are an opera fan or just want to enjoy the experience, Opera By The Bay will prove to be a momentous occasion. For tickets and information, call (415) 332-7000. See you there!
Sandi Smith
General Manager, Scoma’s Restaurant, Sausalito
I’m the General Manager and bookkeeper. My empire consists of a 31 year-old, intimate restaurant just steps away from the Sausalito Ferry dock. I have 55 employees and I guess my job is just taking care of this whole thing. I have a great chef who’s name is "Sam" - his real name being Agia Samana.
Scoma’s in Sausalito is owned by Scoma’s in San Francisco and the Gotti Brothers of the original Ernie’s restaurant. Victor and Roland Gotti are retired now but you can still find Al Scoma running his original Scoma’s. They’ve all been friends for years, and while at lunch one day in 1969 at the old Trident, they got their first look at the funky little red building next door and bought it!
In those days it was known as The Gladhand, which was pretty famous in it’s day. Of course, we have improved it quite a bit, but we still have the original dining room with curved windows overlooking San Francisco and the Bay.
In the late 1800’s Pop Lange ran "Lange’s Launches". The ferry would pull up to this very building, bring the mail, newspapers and supplies for Sausalito. Pop also sold bait and tackle for sports fisherman, and eventually he started to make sandwiches to sell. That is how it got started as a restaurant.
I’ve worked for the company since 1979, starting at Scoma’s in Larkspur Landing, and I came to Sausalito in 1989. I’m usually here about 5:45 in the morning. Boy I hate it too, but I do love the commute from Novato at that time... The early start is sort of a tradition that my mother started, because there was no person to receive the food or whatever. Mom came to work in 1970 and worked here for 21 years when she retired at the young age of 71. She was their bookkeeper, which was my original job too.
We come from San Francisco, part of a Sicilian-Italian fishing family from North Beach. Bramante was my mother’s maiden name, and both of my parents are from there. They grew up with Al Scoma and his brothers and sisters. They all go back a long way. One of my uncles, Uncle Tots, was Al’s original buyer. So it’s sort of like a family within a family working for a family.
Though I lost my husband almost two years ago to cancer, I keep pretty busy, besides my job, with my four grown children and five grandchildren. Right now, I am only "thinking" improvements to the building that will last about 10 years because I really don’t think I will be here until I’m 71!
Scoma’s Sausalito, to paint a word picture for a visitor, sits out on piers over the water with a breathtaking view of San Francisco. The setting is a romantic, Victorian building with windows all around giving great views from any direction.
I love this building and Sausalito. It is truly a pleasure to work here. Between the changing tide and weather and our customers, there is never a dull moment!
