Things to Do

A Guide to the Best Sausalito Parks
(All 15 of Them!)

Hilly, waterfront Sausalito is known for its marine vistas and gorgeous weather. But it – like neighboring San Francisco – has some amazing green spaces too. There are actually 15 Sausalito parks, stretching along the waterfront and dotted on the hills.

Over the course of living in Sausalito, I’ve explored all of the parks in town. I love the diversity of public spaces available for locals and visitors to enjoy.

If you’re planning to visit Sausalito and want to have a picnic or relax outdoors, it helps to know the differences between each park and where they are. Below, you’ll find a map as well as descriptions of each park. I’ve organized my list of parks from south to north, rather than ranking them in a different order. After reading, you’ll know all about which Sausalito parks are the most scenic, easy for visitors to enjoy, and other reasons to add visiting at least one Sausalito park to your itinerary.

Sausalito Parks Map
Click here to access the map!

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 explore Native Land.

Southview Park

Sausalito Parks - Southside Park

If you’re looking for a great place to bring kids and want some incredible views of both Sausalito and the San Francisco Bay and skyline, Southview Park is a bit of a local secret that many visitors miss. You’ll need to climb a few hills to get here, but it’s worth it, as you can see!

This park was completely redeveloped in 2020-2021, so it’s got a brand new play area, sports courts, and seating areas. It’s a real gem and definitely a good spot to visit for views and to burn off some kiddo energy.

Tiffany Park

Sausalito Parks - Tiffany Park

Tiffany Park is easy to miss; it’s a narrow park opposite the Bridgeway Promenade sidewalk. Most people walk right by without realizing this little botanical heaven is public property. There are benches where you can sit in the shade and enjoy the smell of flowers and views of the San Francisco Bay between the trees.

Even if you don’t plan to visit any other parks, walking around in Sausalito will likely take you past Tiffany Park, so stop for a few minutes of calm and people-watching.

Cloudview Park

Sausalito Parks - Cloudview Park

Cloudview Park is definitely the most “locals” park on the list so far. This park is way up the hills and focuses more on providing a small green space for families in the area to let kids play and for dogs to get their paws muddy. If you do make the trek up to Cloudview Park, you will have some pretty great views of Tiburon in this verdant oasis.

Yee Tock Chee Park

Yee Tock Chee Park, named for the grocer who once owned a market on this spot, is arguably the most photographed spot in Sausalito. It’s a short walking distance from the Ferry Terminal; many people stop here to take photos and selfies with the San Francisco skyline in the background.

This park is a bit more hectic and urban than others on the list but a good photo opp if you need to keep your Instagram followers up to date on your Sausalito adventures.

Viña del Mar Park

Sausalito Parks - Viña del Mar Park

Another picturesque spot, Viña del Mar Park is named for Sausalito’s Chilean sister city. It’s a combination of lawn, landscaping, and stone; it’s also where you can see the iconic Sausalito elephant statues that the city uses as part of its visual identity. There’s also a beautiful fountain.

This is the best park to grab a bench and enjoy your Lappert’s ice cream while you wait to ride the San Francisco Ferry back to the city. Lappert’s is the best spot for the best spot for ice cream in Sausalito so it’s worth any line that froms!

Gabrielson Park

Sausalito Parks - Public Shore

Speaking of the Ferry Terminal, there’s another park near the ferry: Gabrielson Park. It’s popular for locals and visitors to sit and look out over the water. This green space has park benches and picnic tables, as well as some stretches of grass and trails to stroll.

Cazneau Park

Sausalito Parks - Cazneau Park

I discovered this pocket park near where I live. I say pocket park because I think it used to be a private land lot that was purchased by the City of Sausalito and converted into a small green space for locals.

Initially, Cazneau Park was called “Cazneau Playground” and had a few seating areas and a small play structure. Today, it’s just an open green space with few amenities; the city says it’s “open for redevelopment.”

Robin Sweeny Park

Sausalito Parks - Robin Sweeny Park

Robin Sweeny Park is located on Caledonia Road and sits in the shadow of the Sausalito City Hall, Library, and Parks & Recreation Department. In addition to a sprawling green space, there are basketball courts and a nice, modern playground for those who want to be a bit more active here.

Dunphy Park

Sausalito Beaches - Dunphy Park

After several years of redevelopment, Dunphy Park re-opened to the public in 2020. It has become a crown jewel of the Sausalito park system. While the land was previously more bohemian in use – allowing free parking and few developed amenities – today it has green lawns, a nice trail, bocce courts, and volleyball courts. There’s also a small beach at Dunphy Park where you can dip your toes in Richardson Bay.

Langendorf Park

Sausalito Parks - Langendorf Park

Another hillside park, Langendorf Park is primarily used by locals to play and relax. This terraced park has a few play areas for kids and seating options, as well as a dirt trail back into the trees. It’s not common for visitors to find their way here because of its greater distance (and it has no real views to speak of). If you want to escape the crowds it’s a great option.

Marinship Park

Sausalito Parks - Marinship Park

Marinship Park is a bit in flux currently; in mid-2021, the City of Sausalito was granted legal permission to relocate a homeless encampment in Dunphy Park to Marinship Park. This means that the photo you see above (taken in April 2021) is likely not accurate anymore, and the park may not be particularly worth visiting.

However, if you walk the shore trail all the way to Waldo Point, you’ll probably pass Marinship Park. It was once the site of the Sausalito Arts Festival and will hopefully someday return to its former glory.

Marina Plaza Harbor Park

Sausalito Waterfront Parks - Marina Plaza

As I mentioned in my guide to Sausalito beaches and waterfront parks, Marina Plaza Harbor Park is a nice little green space that isn’t an officially named cit park but welcomes the public. This small grass area bisected by the shore trail looks out over the Modern Sailing marina and is perfect for a picnic.

Martin Luther King Jr Park

Sausalito Parks - MLK Jr Park

Sausalito’s biggest park is one of its furthest from the top tourist sites; it is primarily used by locals to get active. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is bordered by several education buildings; schools use it for playfields and to burn off youthful energy. My favorite use for this park is circling it on the 0.33-mile trail around the park’s boundary.

Remington Dog Park

Sausalito Parks - Remington Dog Park

If you’re visiting Sausalito with your favorite four-legged friend, Remington Dog Park is a great spot to make time to visit. This is an off-leash dog park where you can let Fluffy or Fido run free; then you can hit up one of Sausalito’s other dog-friendly spots.

Clipper Yacht Harbor Park

Sasualito Waterfront Parks - Clipper Yacht Harbor

Last, but certainly not least, I wanted to include the small green space in Clipper Yacht Harbor. This is also not an official city park, but it’s a nice space to rest your feet if you’re walking the Shore Path to Waldo Point. There’s a nice trail that goes out onto the point; you can sit and watch the boats coming in and out of the harbor. It’s also a good spot to work off a meal at Fish. if you decide to eat there during your Sausalito visit.

Have any questions about these Sausalito parks? Which one(s) will you try and visit? Let me know in the comments!

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Valerie fell in love with Sausalito after her very first visit; she and her husband then moved there in 2019. It's one of her favorite places in the Bay Area and she's excited to show you the best parts of her city.

3 Comments

  • Ivan

    Beautiful pleace I use to live in Newport Beach where I coached US Olympic Kayak Team I am looking to rent a small one bedroom or studio or even just a room on the water on one of the house boats in Sausalito so I can kayak. I spend majority of time on the road and in Europe but I always loved Sausalito.
    I was wondering if You may have advice for me or recommend someone who may want to rent the place there.

    Thank You very much !

    Ivan

  • Sophia

    I was browsing for places to roller skate with a view around SF and Marin, and came across this post. I will check out a few of these places! I have a friend at Issaquah who I’m wondering if you guys know 🙂

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      Valerie & Jacob

      Fun, Sophia! I hope you have a great time no matter where you go. Sausalito has lots of hills if you’re up for that adventure – Martin Luther King Jr Park is great for a big paved loop if that’s what you’re looking for. We aren’t over on Issaquah, but it’s a cool area for sure!

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