Sausalito Stroll from the Bay Model
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: On Marinship Way down the ramp from 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Starting Point: US Army Corp of Engineers Bay Model Visitor Center
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Bay Model Visitor Center information link (US Army Corp of Engineers):
https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center/
Bay Model Visitor Center information link (Our Sausalito):
https://www.oursausalito.com/fun-sausalito-activities/bay-model.html
Sausalito ferry link (Blue and Gold Fleet):
https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/sausalito/
Distance:
The road distance from the Bay Model to the end of the main shopping stretch of Bridgeway is about 1.2 miles. Taking the smaller roads that amble closer to the water and walking around small beaches and parks as we did would make that about 1.5 miles out, for a 3-mile round trip.
Considerations:
• The Bay Model is noted as being at 2100 Bridgeway, but the parking lot is actually down a ramp from Bridgeway to Marinship Way. Watch for Bay Model signs.
• Toilet facilities are available in the round building outside the main Bay Model building. There are numerous visitor information signs along the main Sausalito road Bridgeway, indicating other toilet facilities.
• The Bay Model was free admission (with donations appreciated) on our most recent visit. Check their website above for current visiting times and policies.
• This is a town walk rather than a trail walk. Other than small beach and park options, this walk is on paved paths and sidewalks.
• Sausalito is a popular visiting spot, so on weekends and holidays, parking, eating spots and shops may get crowded.
The trail:
The Bay Model has been part of our family life since our kids were little, and is a popular school trip destination. There are information videos and exhibits in addition to a huge scale model of the regional bays and how they interact. It also makes for a great start to a walk in and out of Sausalito. There is a kayaking and paddle board rental operation from this location as well, for those who’d like to try a paddle around Richardson Bay (see Richardson Bay Kayaking Hike Notes).
Instead of walking the entire walk along Bridgeway, we took bayside paths. After enjoying a visit to the Bay Model, we took the path that passes in front of the Bay Model and then walked along Liberty Ship Way, which splits at one point. We walked along the branch of Liberty Ship Way that follows the shore, and ambled along the small but charming Schoonmaker Point Marina Beach, which is noted as Sausalito Beach on a map app. One of Sausalito’s waterside walk charms is the many boats to look at along the numerous marina areas.
We continued along the path after Schoonmaer Point Marina Beach to Bridgeway, which offered an especially photogenic set of boats and a happily posing egret as we walked by. Once on Bridgeway, we immediately turned in to check out Dunphy Park, which has a charming gazebo and great views. We walked along the edge of Dunphy Park to reconnect to Bridgeway.
From here, walkers can enjoy checking out the various shops and eateries along Bridgeway, which become more densely packed as walkers reach Vina del Mark Park, marked by elephant statues at the front. Shopping, ice cream, wine, and a variety of food options are just some of the things to check out here. Bridgeway continues along the bay with stunning views of the San Francisco cityscape.
We stopped for the view at the small Yee Tock Chee Park, then turned around and window shopped along the other side of Bridgeway before turning in at Vina del Mark Park to catch the view from Sausalito Point. We then cut back onto Bridgeway to make our way back to the Bay Model where we started.
What seemed like it would be a short easy stroll ended up including various stops along the way (including for some very tasty gelato), and ended up being a longer, more tiring outing than we expected. We probably ended up walking four miles instead of what could be less than three miles round trip, but it was a nice day’s outing.
(Sausalito Stroll from the Bay Model Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Quirky Bird” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: On Marinship Way down the ramp from 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Starting Point: US Army Corp of Engineers Bay Model Visitor Center
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Bay Model Visitor Center information link (US Army Corp of Engineers):
https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center/
Bay Model Visitor Center information link (Our Sausalito):
https://www.oursausalito.com/fun-sausalito-activities/bay-model.html
Sausalito ferry link (Blue and Gold Fleet):
https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/ferry/sausalito/
Distance:
The road distance from the Bay Model to the end of the main shopping stretch of Bridgeway is about 1.2 miles. Taking the smaller roads that amble closer to the water and walking around small beaches and parks as we did would make that about 1.5 miles out, for a 3-mile round trip.
Considerations:
• The Bay Model is noted as being at 2100 Bridgeway, but the parking lot is actually down a ramp from Bridgeway to Marinship Way. Watch for Bay Model signs.
• Toilet facilities are available in the round building outside the main Bay Model building. There are numerous visitor information signs along the main Sausalito road Bridgeway, indicating other toilet facilities.
• The Bay Model was free admission (with donations appreciated) on our most recent visit. Check their website above for current visiting times and policies.
• This is a town walk rather than a trail walk. Other than small beach and park options, this walk is on paved paths and sidewalks.
• Sausalito is a popular visiting spot, so on weekends and holidays, parking, eating spots and shops may get crowded.
The trail:
The Bay Model has been part of our family life since our kids were little, and is a popular school trip destination. There are information videos and exhibits in addition to a huge scale model of the regional bays and how they interact. It also makes for a great start to a walk in and out of Sausalito. There is a kayaking and paddle board rental operation from this location as well, for those who’d like to try a paddle around Richardson Bay (see Richardson Bay Kayaking Hike Notes).
Instead of walking the entire walk along Bridgeway, we took bayside paths. After enjoying a visit to the Bay Model, we took the path that passes in front of the Bay Model and then walked along Liberty Ship Way, which splits at one point. We walked along the branch of Liberty Ship Way that follows the shore, and ambled along the small but charming Schoonmaker Point Marina Beach, which is noted as Sausalito Beach on a map app. One of Sausalito’s waterside walk charms is the many boats to look at along the numerous marina areas.
We continued along the path after Schoonmaer Point Marina Beach to Bridgeway, which offered an especially photogenic set of boats and a happily posing egret as we walked by. Once on Bridgeway, we immediately turned in to check out Dunphy Park, which has a charming gazebo and great views. We walked along the edge of Dunphy Park to reconnect to Bridgeway.
From here, walkers can enjoy checking out the various shops and eateries along Bridgeway, which become more densely packed as walkers reach Vina del Mark Park, marked by elephant statues at the front. Shopping, ice cream, wine, and a variety of food options are just some of the things to check out here. Bridgeway continues along the bay with stunning views of the San Francisco cityscape.
We stopped for the view at the small Yee Tock Chee Park, then turned around and window shopped along the other side of Bridgeway before turning in at Vina del Mark Park to catch the view from Sausalito Point. We then cut back onto Bridgeway to make our way back to the Bay Model where we started.
What seemed like it would be a short easy stroll ended up including various stops along the way (including for some very tasty gelato), and ended up being a longer, more tiring outing than we expected. We probably ended up walking four miles instead of what could be less than three miles round trip, but it was a nice day’s outing.
(Sausalito Stroll from the Bay Model Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Quirky Bird” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
