Welcome to Sausalito
Sausalito is one of the most storied waterfront towns in the Bay Area, a hillside village of pastel Victorian and Mediterranean-style homes overlooking a working harbor, with the San Francisco skyline rising across the water.
Part art colony and part historic port town, Sausalito has drawn writers, artists, sea captains, and Hollywood stars for well over a century. That layered history is still visible on nearly every street.
The Sarkissian Bullock Team has represented buyers and sellers across Sausalito for a combined 80 years, including The Valhalla 1893, one of the town’s most historically significant waterfront estates.
Those considering a move to the area will find an impressive selection of waterfront residences, hillside homes, historic estates, condominiums, and distinctive floating homes. The median home price in Sausalito was $2,275,000 in 2025, according to the Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Annual Market Report.
Sausalito at a Glance
- Population: approximately 7,150
- Median home price: $2,275,000 in 2025
- School district: Sausalito Marin City School District and Tamalpais Union High School District
- Commute to San Francisco: approximately 15 minutes by car or a scenic ride via the Sausalito Ferry
- Zip code: 94965
What to Love
- Dramatic waterfront and hillside views of San Francisco, Angel Island, Belvedere, and the Bay Bridge
- A walkable downtown filled with restaurants, galleries, and independent boutiques
- A scenic ferry commute and convenient access to San Francisco
- A rich maritime, artistic, and architectural history
- Distinct neighborhoods and one of the country’s most iconic floating home communities
Why Buyers Choose Sausalito
Sausalito offers something few Bay Area towns can match: genuine small-town charm paired with some of the most dramatic waterfront and hillside views anywhere in Marin. Homes climb the hillside in tiers above downtown, many with sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, Belvedere, and the Bay Bridge, while homes closer to the water place residents just steps from the harbor.
The town’s character comes from its history as much as its views. Sausalito began as a port town and shipyard community, home to sea captains, bootleggers during Prohibition, and later a thriving art colony. That eclectic and independent spirit continues to define the community.
Buyers are drawn to Sausalito for its walkable downtown, ferry commute, sunny weather, and strong sense of individuality. The community attracts young professionals, downsizers looking to simplify without leaving Marin, and buyers who simply fall in love with the idea of living in Sausalito itself.
Sausalito Neighborhoods
Sausalito is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character. Key areas include:
- Banana Belt
- Sausalito Flats
- Prospect and Cloud View
- Monte Mar
- New Town
- Marinship
- Paradise Cay
- Downtown
- Hurricane Gulch
- Waldo Point Harbor
No Sausalito guide would be complete without mentioning its iconic floating homes. Waldo Point Harbor and the surrounding docks are home to one of the largest and most storied floating home communities in the country.
These residences range from rustic, artist-built structures to fully modern floating homes. Although the floating home market is a specialized market of its own, it remains an essential part of what makes Sausalito’s housing landscape unlike anywhere else in Marin.
People & Lifestyle
Life in Sausalito moves at its own pace. Downtown’s Bridgeway waterfront is lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, all just steps from the harbor. The town’s art colony roots remain visible in its many working artist studios.
A strong sailing culture runs through daily life, with yacht clubs, sailing schools, marinas, and a harbor filled with boats of every size. Residents enjoy genuine small-town charm while remaining within an easy commute of San Francisco.
Sausalito also has a storied cast of past residents and visitors. Sally Stanford, a colorful San Francisco figure who later became Sausalito’s mayor, ran the legendary Valhalla restaurant for decades.
The restaurant welcomed guests including President John F. Kennedy, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, and Marlon Brando. Her legacy remains visible around town, including a fountain near the ferry terminal that reads, “Have a Drink on Sally.”
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Bridgeway and the surrounding downtown streets are lined with independent boutiques, galleries, cafés, and waterfront restaurants. Sausalito residents can enjoy many of the community’s best-known shopping and dining destinations without leaving town.
Local dining favorites include
Sushi Ran,
Bar Bocce,
Fish,
Le Garage,
Poggio,
The Spinnaker,
Barrel House Tavern,
Copita,
Sandrino,
No Name Bar, and
Salito’s Crab House.
Golden Gate Market is a longtime local favorite known for some of the best sandwiches in town.
For coffee and something sweet, residents head to Philz Coffee and Lappert’s Ice Cream. Farley Bar at Cavallo Point is a favorite for a scenic cocktail, while Heath Ceramics’ Sausalito studio and store is a destination in its own right.
Things to Do
Sausalito’s waterfront defines much of daily life in the community. Dunphy Park offers bocce ball and volleyball courts, waterfront access, and proximity to the members-only Sausalito Cruising Club.
The Sausalito Cruising Club offers kayaks, paddleboards, laser sailboats, and live music in a casual and welcoming setting.
A year-round farmers market is held at Dunphy Park every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, rain or shine.
Nearby beaches include Swede’s Beach, a hidden gem below Second Street, and Schoonmaker Beach near Le Garage, which offers calm, shallow water that is ideal for families with young children.
Gabrielson Park sits beside the Ferry Landing, and the nearby Sausalito Yacht Club hosts its popular Jazz by the Bay series on Friday evenings during the summer. The club also offers youth and adult sailing classes.
Other neighborhood favorites include the playground and tennis courts at Southview Park, the playground and basketball courts at Robin Sweeny Park, and the Bay Model Visitor Center.
The Bay Model Visitor Center features a massive hydraulic scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Delta built by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Fjord floating sauna and cold plunge experience is another distinctive addition to Sausalito’s waterfront.
Outdoor enthusiasts can rent kayaks and paddleboards from Sea Trek, take sailing lessons through Modern Sailing Academy, or launch their own kayak or paddleboard from the Turney Street boat ramp.
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Baker offers the parade grounds at Cavallo Point, a popular spot for children and dogs, along with the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Schools
Sausalito is served by the Sausalito Marin City School District for elementary and middle school and the Tamalpais Union High School District for high school.
- Bayside Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, grades K-8
- Tamalpais High School, grades 9-12
Getting to San Francisco
Sausalito offers one of Marin County’s most convenient commutes to San Francisco. The drive takes approximately 15 minutes via Highway 101 and the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on traffic.
The Sausalito Ferry also provides a scenic and direct ride into the city, making it a popular option for both commuters and visitors.
Sausalito Market Snapshot
The median home price in Sausalito was $2,275,000 in 2025, according to the Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Annual Market Report.
Featured Listing
One of Sausalito’s most historically significant properties is The Valhalla 1893 at 201 Bridgeway. This historic waterfront compound offers more than 10,000 square feet across its main residence and guest house.
The property was once home to Sally Stanford and the legendary Valhalla restaurant. It is currently listed at $24,950,000.
Recent Sausalito Sales
- 40 Alexander Avenue, Sausalito, sold for $4,995,000
- 362 Eden Roc, Sausalito, condo sold for $470,000
Featured in the Press
The Valhalla 1893 has drawn national attention. The Real Deal reported on The Wall Street Journal’s coverage of the property’s transformation into a one-of-a-kind waterfront estate.
Robb Report featured the property’s history as a former restaurant that welcomed President John F. Kennedy, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, and Marlon Brando, along with its origins as a German beer garden built in 1893.
WHYTT Magazine also featured the property, describing it as a Riviera-style home in one of the Bay Area’s most beloved destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Sausalito, CA?
The median home price in Sausalito was $2,275,000 in 2025, according to the Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Annual Market Report.
Is Sausalito a good place to live?
Yes. Sausalito offers a rare combination of waterfront and hillside living, a walkable downtown, a genuine sense of history and community, and one of the most convenient commutes to San Francisco in Marin County.
What are the best neighborhoods in Sausalito?
Sausalito includes Banana Belt, Sausalito Flats, Prospect and Cloud View, Monte Mar, New Town, Marinship, Paradise Cay, Downtown, Hurricane Gulch, and Waldo Point Harbor.
How is the commute from Sausalito to San Francisco?
Sausalito is approximately 15 minutes from San Francisco by car via the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Sausalito Ferry offers a scenic, direct alternative into the city.
What are the schools like in Sausalito?
Sausalito is served by the Sausalito Marin City School District for elementary and middle school, while high school students attend Tamalpais High School through the Tamalpais Union High School District.
Explore Nearby Marin Communities
Sausalito is one of several close-knit communities that represent the best of Marin County living. Nearby areas include:
- Tiburon
- Belvedere
- Mill Valley
- Larkspur
- Corte Madera
- San Francisco
Considering a move to Sausalito or wondering what your Sausalito property could be worth? Contact the Sarkissian Bullock Team for a personal conversation about buying or selling in one of Marin County’s most historic waterfront communities.
