economie

I paid $8 to take a ferry to a small coastal town near San Francisco. The cute shops and Mediterranean vibes make it the perfect day trip.

September 24, 20240
I arrived at the San Francisco Ferry Building to begin my journey.

Sharon McDonnell

I took a streetcar to the San Francisco Ferry Building, which is accessible via public transit.

This building is along the Embarcadero, a roadway next to the waterfront. However, it’s not just a ferry terminal — it’s also the city’s famous food hall and marketplace, complete with Cambodian, Arab, Chinese, French, and seafood restaurants.

I paid for my trip with a discount-fare card called Clipper.
I waited for the ferry at Gate B.

Sharon McDonnell

I arrived at the gate 10 minutes early, since it closes one minute before departure.

Once the ferry arrived, I tapped my Clipper card at the fare gate and boarded the vessel.

I enjoyed the scenic yet windy ride on the upper deck.
I didn’t buy anything from the snack bar, but there were plenty of items for sale.

Sharon McDonnell

The ferry also had a snack bar on board. When I walked over, I saw items like wine, beer, soda, chips, pretzels, and peanuts for sale.

However, I didn’t buy any food, as the ride was just a mere half-hour long.

Back outside, I saw beautiful Bay Area landmarks.
Sausalito had beautiful statues and landscaping.

Sharon McDonnell

The ferry arrived at a dock near the heart of Sausalito, at Humboldt Avenue and Anchor Street.

As I disembarked, I passed dozens of people with bikes waiting to board — the ferry can accommodate bikes on a first-come, first-served basis. Biking over the Golden Gate Bridge and then taking the ferry back to San Francisco is a popular activity.

As I walked through town, I saw a Portuguese-style mosaic sidewalk, palm trees, and elephant sculptures.

I also came across two plaques about Cascais and Viña del Mar, seaside resort towns in Portugal and Chile, respectively. Turns out, they’re sister cities to Sausalito, which means the California town maintains relationships with these cities to foster cross-cultural relationships and education.

These small landmarks gave Sausalito a coastal vibe and, having been to Chile and Portugal, conjured up fond memories for me.

I enjoyed looking at painted mailboxes and walking around the shops in Sausalito.
I love the views on the ferry and can’t wait to take it again.

Sharon McDonnell

Though I’ve been to Sausalito dozens of times, it never gets old. Taking the ferry to the seaside town is simple, and I always enjoy exploring the area.

I plan to keep taking day trips to Sausalito, as the ferry ride is inexpensive and fairly short. But next time, maybe I’ll bring a cap to tuck my hair under.