Sausalito
Sausalito is a city in Marin County, California with a land area of 1.9 square miles and a population of 7,330. It lies at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, opposite San Francisco. Before the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito was the site of an auto ferry running from Hyde Street pier in San Francisco and the continuation point of old US Highway 101.
Sausalito’s history began in 1838, when William Richardson, an Englishman by birth and a Mexican by choice, received a Mexican land grant in the Marin Headlands. He took possession of it and christened it Rancho del Sausalito (a Spanish term, meaning Ranch of the Little Willow Grove). The area was originally inhabited by the Umien Tribe of Native Americans, but by Richardson’s time, they were already decimated by European ignorance, neglect, and exploitation.
Richardson wasn’t interested in starting a town. He wanted to create his own empire by exploiting the resources around him to its full potential. He wanted his ranch to be unlike any other and took full advantage of everything within as long as it would bring him control, power, and wealth. However, the gold rush brought problems he wasn’t prepared to handle. He could not exercise control over the unruly mob that trampled over and squatted on his land; his cattle were stolen, and his cove was bypassed. He was forced to concede defeat and sold most of his beloved ranch. He died a broken and disillusioned man.
After the gold rush mellowed down and Richardson buried, the hottest trend around San Francisco Bay was creating new towns. Land developers came by large numbers, envisioning new metropolises. The Bay Area became one of the hottest development areas in California.
Sausalito Information
After a series of failed attempts to develop Sausalito; first, as a ranch, then, as a cove; a group of businessman came to develop the area. Calling themselves the Sausalito Land and Ferry Company, they initially planned a series of summer vacation cabins, but were persuaded to build a real town with real homes and real shops. However, nothing came out of their endeavor. The Sausalito Land and Ferry Company was saddled with an enormous debt for a decade.
A breakthrough came in 1871, when the Sausalito Land and Ferry Company cut a deal with the North Pacific Coast Railroad to extend their tracks to Sausalito. With its strategic location along the Golden Gate and its rail connection to the north, Sausalito, at last, began to grow. New residents came in slow but steady flow. Succeeding events brought a trend that still exists today – the wealthy lived on the hillsides while the workers lived on the lowlands.
Today, Sausalito receives a steady stream of visitors who both travel over the Golden Gate Bridge or use the ferry service from San Francisco. It retains one of the few remaining ungated marinas in the Bay Area that attracts a large number of visitors. Sausalito has also been a hotbed of progressive activity, whether it be in arts, politics, or science. It is the home of “Savings and Clone,” a company involved in the cloning of pets.
Things to do in Sausalito
Things to do in Sausalito
Where is Sausalito California
Sausalito is located on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Heading north on US-101 after crossing the bridge, take the first exit at Alexander Ave. and follow the road 1.5 miles until you reach the heart of downtown Sausalito. From Marin County and wine country, head south on US-101 to the Sausalito/Marin City exit and follow the signs to Sausalito - roughly 3 miles of businesses and merchants traverse Bridgeway – leading you to downtown Sausalito.
Many people also enjoy visiting Sausalito by means of the Blue & Gold ferry boat from Fisherman’s Wharf and from the Golden Gate’s ferry terminal in San Francisco.