Navier, the electric “flying water taxi” company whose pollution-free hydrofoils enable them to zip almost silently across bodies of water, wants to eliminate one of the most stressful voyages of all: the drive to the airport.
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Sausalito is the kind of place that happens to you Daryl Niemerow – Special to Marin IJ 8/25/24
I fell in love with Sausalito when I was a kid. I remember taking the ferry ride from Pier 39 in San Francisco across the bay and into Sausalito. My first stop was always to visit my aunt at her jewelry store. Then, I would explore from the top of Bridgeway to the end of Caledonia Street to see all the shops in between, from the souvenir shops to the candy shops — I loved them all.
Sausalito happens to many of us— some visit and come back, some choose to live here, some build businesses, dock their boats here, or meet friends for a meal — but when it happens, it’s undeniable. The beauty of the town is complemented by the local artisans and craftsmen who run the fun and eclectic shops, which highlight locally made jewelry, unique gifts, hilarious socks, clothing and T-shirts emblazoned with Sausalito, so you always remember the moment.
Today, Sausalito is the center of a robust and burgeoning culinary destination for people from around the world to visit and dine on food from Italy, France, the Mediterranean, Japan, India, Mexico and more, which spotlights the incredibly talented local chefs and their cuisine.
Twenty years later, I followed an opportunity to return to the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce as their new CEO. I jumped at the chance to join this unique community of passionate entrepreneurs and businesses to advocate for economic growth and celebrate this new chapter.
Sausalito has always been a community of smalltown resilience and a bastion of creativity. It has a heart and soul that has rolled through economic upswings and downturns, always maintaining its character and preserving its “salty” personality. The pandemic opened a field of opportunity and revealed our community’s strength and resilience. With a decline in tourism and revenue comes an opportunity for the renaissance occurring in our community today, and we are reinvigorated as we continue to reinvent ourselves to build a new path forward in this ever-changing environment.
From summers filled with visitors for Jazz and Blues by the Bay to the Sausalito Holiday Boat Parade, A Toast of Sausalito and Restaurant Week, we are hopeful for increased foot traffic and filled parking spaces. Sausalito is optimistic about the future and I am looking forward to seeing you on the bay.
Daryl Niemerow is president and CEO of the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce.
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Marin City supermarket prepares to launch – Marin IJ Giuseppe Ricapito 3/4/24
A new store opening in Marin City will bring a neighborhood supermarket to a community that has long lacked one. The store at 150 Donahue St. will open at 7 a.m. Thursday, said Chantha Vath, one of the local owners. She said she hopes for 1,000 customers on opening day. Employees have been stocking the store with non-perishable dry goods, health items and pet food. Beginning Monday, perishable produce, meat and deli items will arrive. The couple used to own a Grocery Outlet in Fairfield but sold it when they moved to Marin City in May.
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Holiday magic: Tour 28 gingerbread houses in Sausalito – Marin IJ PJ Bremier 12/22/23
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How To Savor A Weekend Getaway In The Bay Area’s Picturesque Sausalito – Forbes,
Whether a local or visiting from out of town, Sausalito is a must-see destination offering an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Northern California's coastal charm. Here’s a culinary-driven weekend guide to Sausalito for those looking to getaway for the weekend. Read more>>
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16 things to do in Sausalito, CA that capture its quaint seaside vibe – SF Gate Emily Price, Kelly O'Mara,
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Sushi Ran hits four decades - Leanne Batalle, Marin IJ 4/22/26
Sushi Ran in Sausalito, one of Marin’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, is commemorating 40 years in business with a $40 menu featuring A5 wagyu shigure-ni, agedashi tomato and eggplant with cold dashi broth and bincho maguro poke, along with two limited-edition anniversary wines for $40 a bottle. The restaurant will also host a food, wine and sake dinner for 30 guests at 6 p.m. May 6 and 7 ($225, including tax and gratuity).
It’s a long way from the unassuming 24-seat sushi bar that Yoshimori “Yoshi” Tome took over in 1986. Originally from Okinawa, Japan, he came to the U.S. in 1981 for a six-month teacher exchange program and quickly became attached to the area, working for a few years at what was then Sushi Gen in the same Caledonia Street space. When it closed, he and the former chef were given the opportunity to take over.
Sushi Ran was at first mostly sushi, but after enlarging the restaurant in 1994 and again in 2000, the kitchen expanded its repertoire with an izakaya-style menu incorporating cooked fish, meat and seasonal vegetable dishes, and word spread.
“The restaurant business is about good food, service and the love and support of the locals,” Tome said. “We have many regulars who come in two to three times a week, and then they bring friends, family and everyone else.”
He added that he gives back to that community by supporting local schools and organizations.
Tome credits his chefs over the years, many of whom have gone on to open their own successful ventures, including Marin native Scott Whitman, owner and executive chef of Village Sake in Fairfax, and Takatoshi Toshi of Masa’s Sushi in Novato. But he is quick to note that one great chef can’t make a restaurant.
“It’s everyone from the line cooks, sushi chefs, dishwasher and the front of the house,” he said. “It’s because of them that I’m here today and thriving.”
Sushi Ran is open from noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 107 Caledonia St. in Sausalito. Find menus, reserve a table or order takeout or delivery at sushiran.com.
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Meet Suzette, Sausalito’s newest bayside bistro – Marin IJ Leanne Battelle 5/8/24
Marin restaurateurs Olivier and Susannah Souvestre bring a slice of France to Sausalito’s Bridgeway Promenade with last month’s opening of Suzette Cafe & Bistro, their second restaurant in town and a move that takes them from Caledonia Street out to the waterfront.
Chef Souvestre is familiar in local dining circles for his French cuisine at Le Garage in Sausalito that he stepped away from in 2019, San Anselmo’s L’Appart Resto that closed in 2010 and the Frenchified American comfort food at Fast Food Francais (F3) that the couple transitioned to Mediterranean-inspired Zalta in 2021.
The Suzette brunch/lunch and dinner menus focus on the classic French dishes that reinspired Olivier Souvestre during his recent travel to old-school bistros in France. Read more>>
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The Absolute Best Restaurant Dishes We Ate In 2023 – Tasting Table, 11/12/23
The Sunrise Scallop roll is a celebration of the subtle interplay between sweet and savory, rich and refreshing. Read more>>
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Where to Eat and Drink While Catching Some Rays in Sunny Sausalito – A guide to dining and drinking in this bayside town – Eater SF Lauren Saria and Eater Staff
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Well Traveled: A Vibrant Getaway to Sausalito, California – DMagazine 2/16/24
The Golden Gate Bridge connects this charming waterside town to the Dallas Mavericks CEO’s old stomping grounds of San Francisco.Few places in the world offer the vast diversity of experiences one can find in the Bay Area. On a September trip to San Francisco, we spent the night in the city after watching the Giants beat the Dodgers at Oracle Park. The next morning, we hopped in the car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Read more>>
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Bay Area Travel: A holiday weekend getaway to Sausalito – The Mercury News, Ben Davidson 12/11/23
Craving an escape from the holiday hoopla — the hustle, the bustle, the endless to-do lists? Just over the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito may just be the most charming village on San Francisco Bay, and the perfect destination for a holiday day trip, winter weekend jaunt or destination for out-of-town guests. Read more>>
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Kirby Cove hike offers unique views of Golden Gate Bridge, plus a coveted campsite – SF Gate Eric Brooks April 17, 2023
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Sweetest Small Towns in California" – AFAR Magazine (April 11, 2023 by Michelle Konstantinovsky)
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16 Beautiful Coastal Towns Around the World Find your escape in one of these seaside communities – Travel + Leisure Heather Eng March 25, 2023
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The Most Charming Small Towns in California, From Tranquil Seaside Villages to LGBTQ-Friendly Mountain Communities – Conde Nast Traveler October 7, 2022
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Explore this quaint town that’s just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco – Visit California
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Sausalito Marin City School District trustee to exit - Keri Brenner Marin IJ 4/21/26
A Sausalito Marin City School District trustee plans to step down less than halfway through her four-year term.
Rebecca Lytle, a retired educator living in Sausalito, said she is leaving for personal reasons. The resignation will take effect May 5.
“Serving on the board has been an honor and a privilege,” Lytle said in her April 2 resignation letter. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success and well-being of our students, staff and community.”
“Due to personal and family commitments, I am no longer able to give my full attention to the role,” the letter said. “I believe it is in the best interest of the district to allow for a transition that ensures continued strong leadership and support for district needs.”
Lytle was elected as a trustee in November 2024.“She’s been an amazing board member,” said LaResha Huffman, the district superintendent. “Her focus has been on equity and on keeping students at the center of every decision.”
Huffman said Lytle also has been adept at “listening to both sides” of issues.
“She has been a strong thought partner to me,” Huffman said. “I’m extremely heartbroken that she is leaving.”
Trustee Bonnie Hough said, “I am very sad that Rebecca will be leaving the board.”
“She has been incredibly hard working and thoughtful, bringing her years of experience in education to our deliberations,” Hough said.
Board members agreed to seek candidates to serve in a provisional appointment to fill Lytle’s seat until the Nov. 3 elections. The district will accept applications for the provisional appointment through May 6.
The district plans to post information about applying for the seat at its website at smcsd.org.
The board is required to appoint a qualified candidate by June 14, or within 60 days from Lytle’s notification to the Marin County superintendent of schools, according to state election code.
Lytle’s seat and three other board seats will be up for election on Nov. 3. Hough, Lauren Walters and Caroline Tiziani have not yet stated whether they will seek new terms. The other trustee, Danielle Diego, was elected to a four-year term in November 2024.
The Sausalito Marin City School District serves about 260 students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in Sausalito.
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5/5/24
Governor Gavin Newsom and Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta just broke the news that California still retains the largest market share of tourism in the entire United States. According to new data released today, travel spending in the Golden State reached a record high of $150.4 billion in 2023, outstripping the previous record amount of $144.9 billion seen in 2019.
“From our world-renowned coastline, to the world’s tallest trees, to our iconic cities and theme parks, California is the nation’s coming attraction," Newsom said. "Visitors from all over the world are coming here to experience the wonder of the Golden State, boosting our economy and creating good-paying jobs for years to come.” Read more>>
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Take a tour of Sausalito’s million-dollar houseboats – SF Standard George Kelly 5/5/24
In the serene waters of Waldo Point Harbor, Sausalito's eclectic houseboat community enjoys everything from impromptu float-in concert performances by local musicians to informal fresh fish or ceviche sales from commercial fishermen—all set to the ever-present cries of seagulls and the gentle lapping of waves.
Among the 400-plus floating homes along the marinas' docks are luxurious multilevel vessels with sweeping water views, decks hovering just above Richardson Bay's surface and price tags surpassing $1 million. It's a far cry from the community's counterculture roots in the 1960s when artists and writers, tinkerers and other fringe-dwellers claimed abandoned wartime ships as alternative living spaces. Read more>>
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They call it the “Venice of the west.” It’s a quasi-sensical moniker, well-suited to the neighborhood of roughly 400 floating houses in Sausalito, California. The community was first established in the late 1800s by fishermen and San Franciscans looking for a budget-friendly getaway (because the homes weren’t on land, they weren’t regulated by taxes and the like), but it was the beatniks and hippies of the 1950s and ’60s who made it a cultural fixture. Read more>>
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A study by the Transportation Authority of Marin about rising sea levels has identified 19 areas of concern – Marin IJ Krissy Waite 3/1/24
Mikaela Hiatt, a planner for the agency, updated its board of commissioners on the sea-level rise adaptation plan and study at their meeting on Feb. 28. It is about halfway complete. The key focus areas are Bel Marin Keys; Belvedere and Tiburon; Bolinas; the Hamilton Wetlands; Inverness; Marin City; Manzanita and Tamalpais Junction; Mill Valley, downtown and western Novato; Santa Venetia; Sausalito; Stinson Beach; Highway 37; Highway 101; San Rafael; Kentfield; Corte Madera; Terra Linda; and Larkspur. Read more>>
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Sausalito grants rent reprieve for arts nonprofit – Marin IJ Krissy Waite 2/24/24
Sausalito will keep the rent low for its tenant, the Sausalito Center for the Arts — for now. The nonprofit rents a city-owned building at 750 Bridgeway, where the rent was set to rise from $4,029 to $11,095 per month in March. The center asked the City Council to amend the lease to keep rent the same. When the lease was negotiated in 2022, the initial rent was set around $11,000. City leaders cut the center a break for 18 months so it could raise more funds and get set up. Read more>>
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Caltrans proposes southern Marin flood control project – Marin IJ Adrian Rodriguez 2/13/24
A notoriously flood-prone section of southern Marin could soon get its own defense against sea-level rise.
Caltrans is proposing protections for the area along Richardson Bay between Marin City and Tamalpais Valley. The project would include the Manzanita Park and Ride lot and the Highway 101 interchanges at Shoreline Highway and Donahue Street. Read more>>
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This Electric ‘Flying Water Taxi’ Might Soon Be Ferrying You to SFO – The San Francisco Standard Astrid Kane 1/18/24
The 4-year-old company (pronounced “NAV-ee-ay”) which builds its boats in Maine, has secured landing rights to Coyote Point Recreation Area, a park with a marina just south of San Francisco International Airport. From there, shuttles would drive passengers roughly 5 miles to the airport, addressing what’s known as the “last-mile problem.”
Navier is working to procure docking space from several points of origin in Marin County and the East Bay, focusing on waterfront areas that are far from a direct transit connection to SFO already.
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FHA Looks at Changes to AB252 – Floating Homes Association
The Legal Action Committee (LAC) of the Floating Homes Association recently held a series of dock meetings to gather community input on possible changes to AB252, the floating home rent control law that was enacted at the beginning of 2023. Read more>>
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Sausalito swears in 1st LGBTQ+ police chief: Meet Officer Stacie Gregory- ABC News 7 1/14/24 ByTara Campbell
'There are many female chiefs before me and currently in the state of California that are lesbians and I'm just honored to be on that list." The Napa native gave her mother and father the honor of pinning her badge.
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Sausalito promotes police veteran to chief position – Marin IJ Cameron Macdonald 1/5/24
Sausalito officials have selected Stacie Gregory, a longtime member of the police department, as its next chief, City Manager Chris Zapata announced Friday. Gregory has been acting police chief since June 2022, when her predecessor, John Rohrbacher, went on medical leave. He retired on Christmas Eve. Gregory will assume her new role on Sunday, leading a department of about two dozen police employees and an annual budget of about $5 million. She has worked for the department for 26 years, including periods as lieutenant and captain. Read more>>
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Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for CA Lt. Governor - Bay Area Reporter, Matthew S. Bajko, Assistant Editor, 12/13/23
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U.S. Grants $22M To Upgrade Ferry Systems in San Francisco, Alameda, Sausalito – Associated Press 12/1/23
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Sausalito considers options for parking management – Marin IJ Giuseppe Ricapito Sept. 30, 2023