July 17, 2006

Things to do in Sausalito

Posted in California, San Francisco at 12:22 am by Mariella

Earlier this year, I applied to be in the Lonely Planet writer’s pool, and for my application I wrote about Sausalito. Here, for your leisure-time pleasure are some excerpts for what to do there. (By the way, my application was accepted and I’m now in the writer’s pool — although I’m still wading somewhere in the shallow end).

Bay Model (tel 415-332-3871; www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc; 2100 Bridgeway Ave; open 9am-4pm Tues-Sat; summer hours 9am-4pm Tues-Fri and 10am-5pm Sat-Sun; admission free)
Take the entire Bay Area and shrink it down to fit onto two football fields and you’ve got the Bay Model, a three-dimensional hydraulic model built to simulate tides and currents for the edification of the Corps of Engineers. You might learn just a little more than you want to know about tidal patterns and brackish water, but science types can geek out to their heart’s content.

Bay Area Discovery Museum (tel 415-339-3900; www.baykidsmuseum.org; 557 McReynolds Road; open 9am-4pm Tues-Fri and 10am-5pm Sat-Sun; adult/child $8.50/$7.50)
Located in a cluster of retired military buildings, this isn’t one of those children’s museums that adults love, too. It’s a little like watching a toddler playing in a cardboard box: the appeal isn’t immediately obvious, but you’re glad they’re having fun.

Sausalito Ferry
The cheapest boat ride in town is the Golden Gate Ferry (tel 415-455-2000; www.goldengateferry.org; $6.45 each way). Enjoy the view of Sausalito trickling down the hill from Highway 1 (particularly enchanting at dusk) as well as a hit-parade of views that includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline.

Hiking
Right on the water and ensconced in eucalyptus trees, decommissioned military base Fort Baker is a heck of a place to hike, as is nearby Mt. Tamalpais (don’t even try to pronounce it — just say Mt. Tam and go about your business). Ask for maps at the Sausalito Visitor’s Center.

Kayaking
One of the best ways to explore the deep end of Sausalito is with the Sea Trek Ocean Kayaking Center (tel 415-488-1000; ww.seatrekkayak.com; Schoonmaker Point Marina; S/D kayak rental $15/$25 per hour). Make like a harbor seal and paddle amongst the houseboats, out to Angel Island or under the Golden Gate Bridge.

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