This Bay Area City Is Known as ‘California’s Riviera’

The sun-kissed shores, blue waters, and colorful architecture of the Italian Riviera have attracted tourists for millennia. But in California’s Bay Area, you can enjoy a little slice of la dolce vita without having to grab your passport (or fork over the big bucks).

The small city of Sausalito, California, promises a Mediterranean escape minutes from one of the nation’s biggest metropolises, San Francisco. Located less than 10 miles from The City by the Bay, it doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to figure out why Sausalito is often called “California’s Italian Riviera”—charming shops and restaurants line the streets in pastel shades, cottages climb into the forested hills, and ocean breezes roll in from the water.

Sausalito also enjoys a reputation as a haven for artistic types. For example, poet and cartoonist Shel Silverstein lived in the city for 14 years. Known for works like “The Giving Tree” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” Silverstein spent more than a decade living at 8 Liberty Dock on a 1,200-square-foot houseboat nicknamed the “Evil Eye.” The converted World War II balloon barge served as a home and creative space for Silverstein inside Sausalito’s Waldo Point Harbor floating community.

Today, visitors still stroll by the boat to pay homage to the beloved artist. Though you can’t come aboard since it’s a private residence, you may be able to spot the Evil Eye’s namesake stained glass window from the marina’s public walkways. However, Evil Eye is just one of many unique, colorful houseboats in Waldo Point, so save some time to marvel at the other vessels docked nearby.

Back on land, you’ll find plenty of other attractions calling your name. While the many destinations of San Francisco are a short drive or ferry ride away, Sausalito has plenty of its own entertainment. Just across the Marin Headlands lies The Marine Mammal Center, an animal rehabilitation center and hospital that offers free entry to view native wildlife like elephant seals, fur seals, and otters as they recover. In Sausalito proper, you can also learn more about the Bay Area at the Bay Model Visitor Center, which features a fully functional, 1.5-acre hydraulic model of the local river and tides system. 

From the Bay Model Visitor Center, it’s a short walk to the shopping and dining options of downtown Sausalito and the Bridgeway Promenade. With all of those ocean views around you, trying some fresh seafood is a must—dining options like Scoma’s of Sausalito and Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib dish up locally gathered shellfish and fish right on the water. To embrace the town’s Italian vibes, meanwhile, snag a table at Bocce Bar and chow down on wood-fired pizzas topped with everything from gorgonzola and sausage to pear and candied walnuts.

After a day of exploring Sausalito, you have ample lodging options to choose from. The lavishly renovated Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is housed in a mansion originally built in 1885 and features guest rooms with plush, Victorian-inspired furnishings. And if you want to stay as close to the ocean as possible, The Inn Above Tide is a fantastic choice. The 33 rooms and suites—some of which have private bay view balconies—are perfect for romantic getaways and family vacations alike.