Forgive me for being obvious here, but one of the most wonderful things about Sausalito is its waterfront. Whether you’re visiting on a day trip, spending the weekend, considering a relocation (which may happen as a result of a day or weekend trip…), or sailing in, Sausalito’s waterfront is a central element in the city’s structure and appeal.
All along that waterfront are Sausalito marinas you might be curious about: whose boats are those? Can I walk the docks? Can I put my boat in one of Sausalito’s beautiful marinas and live the dream here?
In this post, I’ll be detailing all of the marinas in Sausalito and waterfront communities that give the city its seaside charm. I’ll also answer some of the top questions about the various Sausalito marinas and how to visit or use them. After reading, you’ll understand all about the wide variety of marinas in Sausalito and know which ones you want to visit or tie your boat up.
Sausalito is the traditional lands of the Graton Rancheria, Miwok, and Me-Wuk (Coast Miwok) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation to the past and present stewards of these lands. To learn more, I invite you to exploreNative Land.
Table of Contents
Map of All Marinas in Sausalito
Before jumping into the list of Sausalito marinas, I wanted to start with a map to help you get oriented. This shows you all 13 marinas in Sausalito, and you can click the map to zoom in and out and learn more about each one.
1. Sausalito Yacht Club
- Open to the Public: Unknown (but unlikely)
- Moorage: Short Term Available for Members
Located a stone’s throw – literally –from the Sausalito Ferry, Sausalito Yacht Club has a small mooring area, as well as several anchoring buoys a bit further out in Richardson Bay. As you might guess, the Sausalito Yacht Club is open only for members, and that includes – as far as I can tell –moorage options.
However, if you live in Sausalito or will be in town for a while, becoming a member may be well worth it; in addition to moorage and monthly activities, the Yacht Club has a bar/galley with an unparalleled view of the Bay and San Francisco Skyline.
2. Sausalito Yacht Harbor
- Open to the Public: Unknown (but unlikely)
- Moorage: Unknown
The most central and one of the largest marinas in Sausalito, Sausalito Yacht Harbor is a privately owned marina where most boats are using long-term moorage. This is a fascinating marina to explore the docks (as that part is open to the public) and by kayak if you’re out on a water adventure while visiting Sausalito.
Some of the biggest, splashiest, and most luxurious boats are moored in Sausalito Yacht Harbor; there is no daily/short-term moorage as far as my research suggests.
3. Pelican Harbour
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly Only (Rates Unknown)
Immediately north of Sausalito Yacht Harbor, Pelican Harbour is small but slightly more accessible for boaters in the Sausalito area. As far as I know, there is no daily moorage available but there are often monthly (non-live aboard) slips available for those seeking that service.
The docks are not open to the public, but you can view boats in the marina from the public docks and parking area nearby.
4. Bridgeway Marina
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly Only (Rates Unknown)
Bridgeway Marina is the marina I called home when living in Sausalito! This marina is very different from other marinas in Sausalito; it has a much higher percentage of live-aboard slips than basically any other marina in the entire Bay Area. As such, it has a much more ‘lived in’ vibe and needs more maintenance than most.
That said, Bridgeway Marina does offer monthly moorage when slips are available, and is potentially expanding the number of slips in years to come.
5. Sausalito Cruising Club
- Open to the Public: Unknown (but unlikely)
- Moorage: Short and Long Term available for Members
One of the most fun places to hang out when events are happening, Sausalito Cruising Club is a funky feature of the Sausalito waterfront. This converted US government munitions barge is the club’s headquarters, and the hub from which members can attend events, rent kayaks and SUPs, and even take advantage of a few moorage spots.
I’m not totally sure about the details for securing moorage as I’m not a member – but if you’re in Sausalito for a while, I strongly recommend considering the investment as you’ll get both social and nautical benefits.
6. Galilee Harbor Marina
- Open to the Public: No
- Moorage: None
While Galilee Harbor Marina is not open to the public and offers no moorage options, I wanted to include it (as well as Waldo Point Harbor) as people visiting Sausalito might be curious about this small, funky community.
Galilee Harbor Marina is a 100% liveaboard community, and features a combination of traditional houseboats and floating homes. It is a members’ co-op, so everyone who lives there must apply and contribute to the community. Historically, the docks have been open to the public but during the pandemic they requested no visitors beyond residents.
7. Schoonmaker Point Marina
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly (from $21.80/foot) & Daily ($2-$4 per foot, depending on length)
Schoonmaker Point Marina is one of Sausalito’s two big marinas (the other being Clipper Yacht Harbor). It’s where most of the biggest yachts pull in on relocation passages or during the off-season (if they don’t just anchor out temporarily).
Schoonmaker Point has loads of berths available for both monthly and daily use, which is another aspect makes that makes it unique, since most marinas aren’t open to the public or offer short-term moorage. The docks are also secure, which is great for helping keep your boat safe, whether you’re parked long-term or short.
This is one that you should put on your list if you’re planning to sail to Sausalito and want somewhere to put your boat while here!
8. Blue Water Yacht Harbor
- Open to the Public: No
- Moorage: Monthly (from $12.25/foot)
Nestled in behind Schoonmaker Point Marina in the Marinship, Blue Water Yacht Harbor is a smaller Sausalito marina that offers monthly moorage, as well as liveaboard moorage –though it is highly unlikely any liveaboard mooring spots are (or will become) available due to the Bay Area’s stringent limits on liveaboard slips.
9. Liberty Ship Marina
- Open to the Public: No
- Moorage: Unknown, but reported at $10/foot (source)
Neighboring both Blue Water and Schoonmaker Point, Liberty Ship Marina is easy to miss; it also seems to be part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marina, but it’s not! Liberty Ship Marina is a separate small marina offering (what I can only assume) is monthly moorage at their 50 slips. Once while kayaking, I saw a sign with information about their rates and slips; I can’t be sure if that was up-to-date and there is no website to confirm.
10. Marina Plaza Harbor
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly & Daily (rates unknown)
With 94 slips, Marina Plaza Harbor is bigger than it appears! They too lack a website, but the State of California reports that they offer both monthly and daily/tie-up moorage. One really nice thing about Marina Plaza Harbor is that it’s located next to one of the great waterfront Sausalito parks and has a dedicated parking area that’s not too busy on weekends.
11. Clipper Yacht Harbor
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly ($13-$28 per foot) and Daily ($2-$3) per foot
Clipper Yacht Harbor is the biggest of the Sausalito marinas – and has pretty much everything you need in a marina whether you’re storing your boat long-term or sailing up for the day. In addition to plenty of slips for daily and monthly use, Clipper Yacht Harbor has dry storage, a fuel dock, marina facilities, and a convenience store – plus it’s right next to Fish. which is one of the best restaurants in town!
If you’re sailing into Sausalito, I’d start by looking for moorage here at Clipper Yacht Harbor, with Schoonmaker Point Marina as a second choice.
12. Waldo Point Harbor
- Open to the Public: No
- Moorage: Unknown (but unlikely)
Waldo Point Harbor is technically a marina, but it’s not one you’re ever likely to visit by boat. That’s because it’s where all of Sausalito’s most beautiful floating homes are located and is a residential area more akin to a neighborhood than a marina.
While you won’t be tying up here for the day, you can explore the docks of Waldo Point which are generally open to the public. However, it goes without saying that you should be respectful of the residents and any of their belongings that you see on the docks while visiting.
13. Richardson Bay Marina
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Moorage: Monthly Only ($14.50 per foot)
Last, but certainly not least, Richardson Bay Marina –formerly Kappas Marina– is located at the far north end of the Sausalito waterfront, beyond the last of the Waldo Point Harbor docks and homes.
Richardson Bay Marina offers monthly moorage to the boating public, but docks are secure and not open to the public strolling by. They also offer a number of other services, and I believe there may be liveaboard slips here, but I can’t confirm and it’s highly unlikely that any will become available anytime soon.
Other FAQ About the Marinas in Sausalito
In addition to detailing the various Sausalito marinas, I wanted to answer a few other important questions you might have.
Can I walk the docks of the marinas in Sausalito?
If there is no locked gate, you can generally explore the docks at any Sausalito marina. Please remember that you’re in an area with other people’s property and respect their privacy.
Can I kayak in the Sausalito marinas?
If you’ve rented a kayak – or brought your own – you can paddle into any of the marinas. Be aware of bigger boats moving around though, and stick to the sides of the waterways to avoid any maritime traffic concerns.
What’s the best Sausalito marina for day use?
For daily tie-ups, I recommend Schoonmaker Point Marina as their rates are reasonable and they’re closer to downtown Sausalito. For overnight moorage on a short-term basis recommend Clipper Yacht Harbor since they have all the amenities you need at slightly lower rates (especially for larger boats).
What’s the best Sausalito marina for monthly use?
It depends on the type and size of your boat, so I recommend reaching out to each of the marinas that offer monthly moorage (Pelican Harbour, Bridgeway, Schoonmaker Point, Blue Water, Liberty Shipper, Clipper Yacht, and Richardson Bay) to get a quote from them.
I need a liveaboard slip in Sausalito; how can I get one?
Your odds are very slim if you need a liveaboard slip in Sausalito. Most marinas are capped at 10% and have a multi-year waiting list for liveaboard slips. I recommend reaching out to each of the marinas that do/may offer liveaboard slips to inquire. The marinas I’m fairly certain have some liveaboard slips already are Bridgeway, Blue Water, Liberty Ship, and possibly Richardson Bay.
Best of luck on your boating adventures in the Sausalito area! Let me know any questions in the comments.
