A lot of people head over to Sausalito, not exactly sure of where they should go. They take the ferry or drive over the bridge and head to the main street downtown. There's a lot more to it than bad food and overpriced tsotchkes.
I'm not completely against the main portion of Bridgeway in Sausalito, though I do think that it's very touristy and that there could be more emphasis on real local touches as opposed to overpriced bad food and bad art in stores. Some of my favorite stops include
*The hole in the wall that does not have a name but simply serves hamburgers - these are some of the best hamburgers I've had (fresh high quality beef fired up on a grill). Always a long line. Eat them on a nice day in front of the fountain.
*Lappert's Ice Cream - it's not really local, but it's damn good. Lappert's is from Kauai, but they opened up a factory in Richmond (across the Bay) and so the ice cream is very fresh. Grab a cone and pretend you're a tourist.
*The candy store - I don't know the name, but I like the candy store. They have bins set up - old school style - where you can pick and choose which candy you want. They don't really mind you sampling a piece here and there. They have very good salt-water taffy.
I'm not completely against the main portion of Bridgeway in Sausalito, though I do think that it's very touristy and that there could be more emphasis on real local touches as opposed to overpriced bad food and bad art in stores. Some of my favorite stops include
*The hole in the wall that does not have a name but simply serves hamburgers - these are some of the best hamburgers I've had (fresh high quality beef fired up on a grill). Always a long line. Eat them on a nice day in front of the fountain.
*Lappert's Ice Cream - it's not really local, but it's damn good. Lappert's is from Kauai, but they opened up a factory in Richmond (across the Bay) and so the ice cream is very fresh. Grab a cone and pretend you're a tourist.
*The candy store - I don't know the name, but I like the candy store. They have bins set up - old school style - where you can pick and choose which candy you want. They don't really mind you sampling a piece here and there. They have very good salt-water taffy.
*The Philipino guy balancing rocks - I always stop by to watch the Philipino guy balance rocks along the water. He's pretty cool.
Caledonia Street - most tourists stay on Bridgeway and along the water. Locals and SFers-in-the-know head one street back. If you're not in the mood for sushi, there's a great Italian place with live music, a tasty Thai restaurant, and an Indian restaurant as well. In addition, there's a movie theater that usually shows independent movies plus shops and art galleries. An organic-focused health and grocery store is located here too.
Sushi Ran - one of the best sushi restaurants in the entire Bay Area, and located on Caledonia. The restaurant side has a (slightly) longer menu, but you need reservatons. The more boisterous, relaxed cafe side does not need reservations. Besides the fresj sashimi and sushi, they have excellent, inventive cooked dishes.
Caffe Trieste - while I prefer the Caffe Trieste in North Beach (the original), this Caffe Trieste is really friendly and laid back. They have jazz some nights and it's a spot where locals, tourists, and bikers converge. Years ago, it changed hands and became an Italian restaurant. When it became a Caffe Trieste again, they kept the wood-burning oven so their pizzas are pretty good.
Bike trail to Tiburon & Mike's Bikes - Mike's Bikes is a great place to buy a bike and you can also rent them here. It's a good place to start the trail, which will wend its way through wetlands, cross over the 101 and then through Blackie's Pasture and end up in Tiburon. If you feel agressive, continue it all the way along Paradise Road and back. Otherwise, turn around and come back same way you came - end up at Caffe Trieste for a snack or a drink.
Fish - see my post yesterday.
Hiking trail at the top of Donahue Street - This hiking trail (and popular dog walking spot) runs along the top of a hill in the Marin Headlands. You have spectacular views over the water towards Tiburon. To get there: take the 101 and take the latter exit into Sausalito, continue past Marin City (home of Tupac!) and the shopping center, up to the top of Donahue Street.
Drive through the Marin Headlands to Rodeo Beach - This is probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. You're on 101 and heading back to SF. Before you cross the GG Bridge, take a right for some amazing views through the GG Bridge back across to San Francisco. There's pullouts along the way. Continue on to Hawk Hill (look over at the birds flying south gathering up the courage to cross the SF Bay) and then plunge down a one-way road that hugs the side of the headlands. You can continue on to Point Bonita Lighthouse or turn inland a bit, along a lagoon and over to a black sandy beach to either surf (or watch the surfers surf). Climb up the hill for beautiful sunsets.
Caledonia Street - most tourists stay on Bridgeway and along the water. Locals and SFers-in-the-know head one street back. If you're not in the mood for sushi, there's a great Italian place with live music, a tasty Thai restaurant, and an Indian restaurant as well. In addition, there's a movie theater that usually shows independent movies plus shops and art galleries. An organic-focused health and grocery store is located here too.
Sushi Ran - one of the best sushi restaurants in the entire Bay Area, and located on Caledonia. The restaurant side has a (slightly) longer menu, but you need reservatons. The more boisterous, relaxed cafe side does not need reservations. Besides the fresj sashimi and sushi, they have excellent, inventive cooked dishes.
Caffe Trieste - while I prefer the Caffe Trieste in North Beach (the original), this Caffe Trieste is really friendly and laid back. They have jazz some nights and it's a spot where locals, tourists, and bikers converge. Years ago, it changed hands and became an Italian restaurant. When it became a Caffe Trieste again, they kept the wood-burning oven so their pizzas are pretty good.
Bike trail to Tiburon & Mike's Bikes - Mike's Bikes is a great place to buy a bike and you can also rent them here. It's a good place to start the trail, which will wend its way through wetlands, cross over the 101 and then through Blackie's Pasture and end up in Tiburon. If you feel agressive, continue it all the way along Paradise Road and back. Otherwise, turn around and come back same way you came - end up at Caffe Trieste for a snack or a drink.
Fish - see my post yesterday.
Hiking trail at the top of Donahue Street - This hiking trail (and popular dog walking spot) runs along the top of a hill in the Marin Headlands. You have spectacular views over the water towards Tiburon. To get there: take the 101 and take the latter exit into Sausalito, continue past Marin City (home of Tupac!) and the shopping center, up to the top of Donahue Street.
Drive through the Marin Headlands to Rodeo Beach - This is probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. You're on 101 and heading back to SF. Before you cross the GG Bridge, take a right for some amazing views through the GG Bridge back across to San Francisco. There's pullouts along the way. Continue on to Hawk Hill (look over at the birds flying south gathering up the courage to cross the SF Bay) and then plunge down a one-way road that hugs the side of the headlands. You can continue on to Point Bonita Lighthouse or turn inland a bit, along a lagoon and over to a black sandy beach to either surf (or watch the surfers surf). Climb up the hill for beautiful sunsets.
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