TO COME IS TO ENJOY!
Published: October, 2001
By Rob Franco, Executive Director of Sausalito Chamber of Commerce.
GIVE ME A REASON! If you need a reason to come to Sausalito, I can provide you with a list as long as both our arms. Or, you can make a list of your own. And, you no doubt will, once you have spent some time here. So, what do you want to do? Where do you want to go? There is much to choose from. In addition to a yearlong calendar of events that happen all over the City, there are things you can do any day or night of the week, throughout the year. Sausalito is also said to be the best beginning or end to any day excursion to Muir Woods or up to the wine country of Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.
First-time visitors usually take in some of the main points of interest, probably covered elsewhere in this issue. Newcomers may want to visit some of the many fine art galleries and boutiques along Bridgeway and Princess Street, a historic walking tour of Sausalito. They may travel up to the Army Corps working Bay Model, peruse the houseboat/floating home community or hike in the Headlands.
But, after a busy work week, who wants to think too much about anything. Let’s take a Friday evening stroll. Work up a good appetite. And then eat at one of Sausalito’s many fine restaurants. The hardest work there may be, is having to choose one. Where will you eat? There is every kind of cuisine in Sausalito. If you want delicious Italian food, there are a number of restaurants that feature dishes from almost every province of Italy. You can go to Angelino’s at 621 Bridgeway or stroll up to Vicino, which is at the corner of 2nd and Valley. There are also many fine fish and continental style dinner houses in Sausalito. There is the famed Scoma’s, which has a fine selection of fresh fish every night as does the Spinnaker Restaurant. Both restaurants are right over the Bay with spectacular views of San Francisco. Winships on Bridgeway is a classic with excellent food fare and a full bar. The four-star Ondine and Horizons are two more fine restaurants located right on the water, just off Bridgeway. If you’re in the mood for Sushi or other fine Japanese dishes, Sushi Ran at 107 Caledonia is as good as it gets anywhere on the planet…better! There are several other excellent Japanese restaurants as well.
You can also get a terrific steak, or burger, at a number of places, if you want something less formal. And, if you are looking for a lighter more casual atmosphere, there are several great cafes and laid back eateries in Sausalito from which to choose. At Caffe Trieste you can get the best pizza or panini sandwiches in the North Bay. They have a great selection of beer and wine and the best Cappucino east of Bridgeway. The Trieste also has entertainment on weekend evenings. On warm nights, they fold back the windows so that patrons can sit inside or outside and enjoy your meal while you listen to the music. Then there is Caffe Tutti on El Portal. Or, you can stroll over to Caffe Divino on Caledonia. They have the best cappuccino West of Bridgeway and several mouth watering dishes and desserts. There is even a Starbucks at the corner of Bridgeway and Princess Street, if you’re not willing to venture away from what you can find almost anywhere. The Venice Gourmet deli is a landmark on Bridgeway and has an excellent selection of sandwiches, salads, meats, cheeses, and breads and wines if you are thinking picnic, hike or nosh.
There are other fine cafes and restaurants as you travel north along Bridgeway. You can grab a taxi, use Golden Gate Transit busses, or you can take SALLY (Sausalito Area Local Land Yacht), a cute little shuttle bus which runs in 15 minute loops around town, seven days a week during the summer and weekends from October to May. The Kiosk, which is located at the Ferry Terminal and the Visitor Center, which is located another half a block up Bridgeway, have ferry schedule information, SALLY schedules and a wealth of brochures and maps available.
If you don’t have a plan in mind, you just might want to catch a movie or take in some of the great entertainment that is available around town. The Marin Theater on Caledonia is a triplex and always has three great first run movies to choose from. They often run International award winning hits. But, they have lighter movies as well. Or, if you want to be more adventurous, you can stroll over to The Bar With No Name (referred to as simply The No Name) and catch the best jazz in the North Bay. Michael Aragon is one of the Bay Area’s finest jazz drummers and he has a hot band that plays the No Name just about every Friday night. The Water Street Grill, which has quite an extensive menu of delicious dishes, has music on weekends. It’s always cooking at Water Street and they are thinking of extending the entertainment throughout the week. Gatsby’s, a landmark restaurant in Sausalito, also on Caledonia Street, has music on weekends. Let it all hang out, and slide over to Smitty’s, a colorful locals bar at 214 Caledonia, where just the people watching is entertaining enough. Or, you can play some pool one of Smitty’s three regulation pool tables. Further North on Bridgeway and down at the end of Harbor Drive, you can find Saylor’s Landing. Saylor’s is also a favorite for locals and has a hefty food menu and full bar. They also have entertainment on weekends and you can sit outside, weather permitting. For further information about all of the above, feel free to contact the Chamber at (415) 331-7262 or go to our website at www.sausalito.org.
Whatever you do in Sausalito, you are bound to be satisfied and take with you a most memorable experience. There is no place on the planet quite like Sausalito. Just ask any local resident. By and large, we are a happy and fun loving people. We encourage you to visit. Bring your significant other…your kids…aunts and uncles…grandparents. Bring your dog. Just clean up any souvenirs your dog may attempt to share with our local pet population. Most of all, bring yourself and mix it up a little…introduce yourselves. Engage! We look forward to meeting you. Until then, hang in there…
