Living in Sausalito, California
Hillside views, houseboats and the ferry, right at the north end of the Golden Gate
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
The closest Marin town to San Francisco
Sausalito is the first town you reach after the Golden Gate Bridge, and for a lot of city buyers it’s the easiest transition. You can take the ferry to the Ferry Building, drive into the city in minutes outside of rush hour, and come home to a view of the Bay, Angel Island and the city skyline. About 7,300 people live here, on steep hillsides above the water and in one of the most famous houseboat communities in the country.
I love Sausalito’s funky houseboats. Some of them are over-the-top fun, and they’re a big part of why people here say “Keep Sausalito Salty.” It’s the perfect motto for this town.
Sausalito neighborhoods
- Old Town and Bridgeway. Historic homes and the waterfront, close to the ferry.
- The Hill and Hurricane Gulch. Steep streets with big views of the city and the Bay.
- New Town and Spring Street Valley. Easier access and a mix of homes and condos.
- Marinship and the houseboat docks. More than 400 houseboats in communities along Richardson Bay. Buying one is a different process, with berth fees and specialized financing.
Schools
Sausalito and Marin City are served by the Sausalito Marin City School District, which runs MLK Jr. Academy for preschool through 8th grade. Its two campuses were consolidated in 2021 under an agreement with the California Attorney General. High schoolers attend Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, ranked #2 among Marin public high schools by Niche for 2026.
Commuting
The Golden Gate Ferry runs from downtown Sausalito to the San Francisco Ferry Building in about 30 minutes. (Blue & Gold’s separate Sausalito route to Fisherman’s Wharf has been suspended in 2026.) For the full picture, see my Marin to San Francisco commute guide. As of July 2026 the Golden Gate Ferry fare is $8.50 with Clipper. Driving, the bridge is just minutes away, although weekday morning traffic into the city can make the trip much longer.
Life on the water
- Marinas: Clipper Yacht Harbor (about 700 slips), Schoonmaker Point, Richardson Bay Marina and others. Sausalito has more slip options than anywhere else in Marin.
- Sausalito Yacht Club. You don’t need to own a boat to join.
- Modern Sailing School & Club. Learn to sail and charter without owning a boat.
- Sea Trek at the Bay Model. Kayak and paddleboard rentals and tours on Richardson Bay.
Where to eat
- Sushi Ran, listed in the MICHELIN Guide
- Le Garage, Fish, Avatar’s, Poggio and The Spinnaker, all local favorites
Outdoors
The Marin Headlands are five minutes from downtown: Point Bonita Lighthouse, Hawk Hill, Rodeo Beach and miles of trails, many of them dog-friendly.
Sausalito home prices
Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.54 million in Sausalito in August 2026. That median mixes condos, hillside homes and view estates, so prices on individual streets vary widely. Waterfront and big-view homes can trade far higher.
What buyers should know
- Steep lots and stairs. Check parking, access and the number of steps, especially if you’re planning to stay long term.
- Flood zones near the waterfront and in Marinship.
- Houseboats need specialized inspection, insurance and financing.
Financing in Marin. Many Sausalito homes need jumbo financing, though some condos fit under Marin’s 2026 conforming limit of $1,249,125. With 20% down, homes above about $1.56 million usually mean a jumbo loan. My husband Michael DiVita is a mortgage broker and owner of DiVita Home Finance, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders, and he’s a great resource for jumbo and bank-statement loans. Learn more at mycahomeloan.com.
Disclosure: Michael DiVita is my husband. You are free to choose any lender; using DiVita Home Finance is never required, and I receive no referral fee.
Honest trade-offs: is Sausalito right for you?
Sausalito is a great fit if you:
- Want to be the closest you can get to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, with a ferry downtown.
- Love the waterfront, the marinas, the houseboats and the views.
- Want the Marin Headlands and Rodeo Beach minutes away.
Think twice if you:
- Need summer sun. Sausalito sits next to the Golden Gate fog, though the upper hillsides are often above it.
- Don’t like wind. Old Town is nicknamed “Hurricane Gulch” for its afternoon winds.
- Want flat streets. Much of Sausalito is steep hillside, so check the stairs, the parking and the drive.
- Are looking right on the waterfront. King tides and storms flood low spots; in January 2026 they closed the Highway 1 off-ramp.
More in my Marin microclimates guide, and if you’re selling, see what Sausalito requires at sale.
A year in Sausalito
Sausalito’s calendar is built around the waterfront.
- Sausalito Cruising Club: a yacht club with no pretense, housed in a surplus WWII munitions barge tied up at Dunphy Park for more than 55 years. More in my On the Water guide.
- Jazz & Blues by the Bay (Fridays, June to September): free concerts at Gabrielson Park since 1996.
- Fourth of July: some of my best Sausalito memories. The parade starts at 10 a.m., the marching bands come down Caledonia Street, and, appropriately, the band marches right into Smitty’s, the classic dive bar. It’s hilarious. Then everyone heads to Dunphy Park for a picnic that turns into a day-long party, and Sausalito has its own fireworks over the water that night.
- Chili Cook-Off (mid-September): chili teams, music and a pepper-eating contest at Dunphy Park.
- Winterfest Lighted Boat Parade (second Saturday in December): dozens of lit boats along the waterfront, then fireworks.
- Farmers market: Sundays at Dunphy Park.
The famous Sausalito Art Festival has been on hold since 2021. For nights out, the No Name Bar has been pouring since 1959, and Cultivar opened on Bridgeway in 2026. And the Marin Headlands, one of the best places to ride and hike in the Bay Area, are five minutes away.
For every town’s traditions in one place, see my Marin events calendar, plus my nightlife, outdoors and clubs guides.
Sausalito real estate FAQ
How long is the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco?
About 30 minutes. The Golden Gate Ferry runs from downtown Sausalito to the San Francisco Ferry Building, and as of July 2026 the Golden Gate Ferry fare is $8.50 with Clipper. By car the Golden Gate Bridge is only minutes away, but weekday morning traffic into the city can make that drive much longer than it looks on a map. For a lot of city buyers, having both options is what makes Sausalito the easiest first move.
What schools serve Sausalito?
Sausalito and Marin City are served by the Sausalito Marin City School District, which runs MLK Jr. Academy for preschool through 8th grade. The district’s two campuses were consolidated in 2021 under an agreement with the California Attorney General. High schoolers go to Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, which Niche ranked #2 among Marin public high schools for 2026.
Can you buy a houseboat in Sausalito?
Yes. There are more than 400 houseboats in communities along Richardson Bay, mostly around Marinship, and it’s one of the best-known houseboat communities in the country. Buying one is a different process from buying a house, though. You’ll pay berth fees, and you need specialized inspection, insurance and financing. Line those up before you make an offer.
How much do homes cost in Sausalito?
Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.54 million in Sausalito in August 2026. That number mixes condos, hillside homes and view estates, so individual streets vary a lot, and waterfront and big-view homes can trade far higher. Before you buy on the hill, count the steps and check the parking and access, especially if you plan to stay for the long term.
More questions about Marin? See my Marin real estate FAQ, or ask me directly.
Working with a Sausalito realtor
Sausalito mixes hillside homes, condos and one of the country’s best-known houseboat communities. Each needs a different approach to value, inspection and financing. I’m a fourth-generation Marin native and have been in real estate since 2003, starting at Hill & Co. in San Francisco. Today I’m with Compass in Tiburon.
What I focus on when buying or selling in Sausalito:
- Stairs, parking and access on the hills
- Views of the city, the bridge and Angel Island
- Houseboats: berth fees, specialized inspections and loans
- Flood zones near the waterfront and Marinship
Selling in Sausalito? Start with a free, local home valuation. Buying? Read how to choose a Marin realtor and whether you need a buyer’s agent.
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Thinking about Sausalito?
Send me a note through my contact form. I’ll show you the streets with the views and the ones that are easy to live on day to day.