There are certain blocks in the Bay Area that are ripe for adventure. Each weekend, we'll highlight a stretch of pavement where you could spend an entire day and night. This week: Bridgeway, Sausalito.
Breakfast and Coffee
Head to Cibo for coffee in the morning, or an afternoon latte between stores – they're serving Blue Bottle, but it's easily the best coffee in town, and you won't regret picking up a pastry along the way. A 120-year old building houses the modern, airy space where you'll see locals and tourists alike chatting with friends, or working on laptops. If you're here for breakfast grab the homemade poptart – a menu staple – made with polenta and filled with a different flavor depending on the season. For lunch opt for the wild mushroom panini. Sit outside on the patio for prime people watching and to get a vibe for what Sausalito is all about.
Shop
Edith Heath of Heath Ceramics' original factory is still producing gorgeous tile and ceramics in Sausalito. It's where their dinnerware and tableware accessories are still made today, by a team of 40 craftspeople, and you can take a factory tour on Fridays - Sunday if that suits your fancy. You should really head here, however, for the over stock. You can find discounted seconds of anything from mugs to plates to vases in near perfect condition. They also have an overstock tile room. They host various workshops and events throughout the month, so check out the events calendar before your visit.
Lunch
Grab lunch at Le Garage, a steel and concrete warehouse with two open doors offering views of docked boats and the San Francisco Bay. The menu is definitely French, but moderately priced, and the staff isn't in an hurry to have you leave. Seafood may seem like the right choice, since you're sitting on the water, but you can't go wrong with goat cheese ravioli or the duck confit. Head here on a leisurely Sunday for the best brunching around.
Happy Hour
If you've ever wanted to hang out with Janis Joplin, David Crosby, Clint Eastwood, or Jerry Garcia head to The Trident – one of Sausalito's landmarks from the '60s and '70s – for the next best thing (Robin Williams even worked here as a bus boy!) David Crosby called the Trident, "Ground Zero for Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll," so request Janis Joplin's favorite booth, order a drink or two, and imagine the bar in its heyday.
More Drinking
If you're looking for a classic dive bar in Sausalito, you'll have to head to Smitty's. Founded in 1938, this is your friendly neighborhood bar, with pool tables, shuffleboard, a great juke box, and Tvs to watch the game. There's karaoke on the first and third Monday of every month at 9:00 p.m. or just sit down and chat with the locals.
Dinner
Voted Best Mexican Restaurant in the Bay Area in 2014 Eat + Drink Awards, Copita is your best bet for delicious eats in Sausalito. Many of the fresh and seasonal ingredients are harvested in their own backyard, in their organic garden and then translated into tasty Mexican flavors. The menu includes slow-cooked carnitas, killer chilaquiles, and fried oyster tacos. There's also an expansive tequila selection, and the prettiest margaritas you've ever seen.
Hike
in the mood for a lovely seven mile hike? Start high atop Sausalito’s Wolfback Ridge, heading onto the Alta Trail, and climbing to the hike’s highpoint at one thousand feet. Then descend around the Northwest rim of Gerbode Valley into neighboring Rodeo Valley for a spirited climb back up to the ridge. You'll climb 1600 vertical feet in total, but you're in for sweeping views of Marin Headlands, Mt. Tamalpais, lovely Gerbode Valley and, on clear day, faraway Pt. Reyes and the Farallon Islands. Check out the entire ridge hike here.
For more one-stop adventure ideas, check out all our Weekend Warriors.
