5 Fun Things to Do in Sausalito at Night

If you’ve ever been to Sausalito, you’ve probably thought: man, this place is great. I’d love to come back and spend more time here – maybe even stay the night! That’s certainly how I felt after my first visit, before we moved to Sausalito back in 2019.

To be completely honest though, Sausalito kind of shuts down at night: there are noise ordinances across the city which means most things shut down by 10pm to comply and keep things peaceful and quiet. One good thing about this is that if you choose to stay the night in Sausalito, you’ll definitely get a peaceful night’s rest… One bad thing is that it means it’s not a place for late-night revelry, in any form you might enjoy.

That’s not to say there are no things to do in Sausalito at night: you just need to get creative and work with what we have. Though your night might end early because you’re in Sausalito, you can certainly enjoy great cocktails, live music, and even a sweet treat and nighttime stroll with San Francisco skyline views… sounds pretty good, right?

Okay, let’s go through your options for nighttime things to do in Sausalito, so you can get a better sense of how to plan your evening.

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.

Celebrate Happy Hour

Unwinding with a cocktail in your hand is one of the best things to do in Sausalito at night. Let’s say you’ve been exploring the town all day and need to relax. Or maybe, you just got off work across the bridge in San Francisco and need a change of scenery.

Either way, Sausalito has excellent Happy Hours to kick off the evening. Some bars and restaurants offer a great selection of drinks and delicious nibbles so you can get in the mood to keep exploring the Sausalito nightlife. You can check out our guide to Sausalito happy hours so you don’t miss the best specials.

Visit a Local Watering Hole

If you’re one of those travelers who love to explore the local lifestyle, watering holes are a great alternative to do just that: mingle with the locals. Sausalito isn’t home to many bars, but the ones it has boast a wonderful atmosphere.

No Name Bar and Smitty’s Bar are two legit dive bars that locals frequent in Sausalito at night. As soon as you go in, you’ll see people from all walks of life laughing and chatting, friendly bartenders waiting to pour a drink to newcomers, and even local bands playing good ol’ tunes.

Enjoy Live Music

Music and nightlife are meant to be together. The same bars we mentioned above and a few restaurants often invite local bands to fill the air with good music. Whether you want to explore the local music scene or you simply want to relax with a drink, pop into a venue and enjoy.

Also, it’s not (just) because I love Sausalito, but few things are as pleasant as listening to a good band on a breezy night.

Have a Sweet Snack

If your idea of a good night means no risk of a hangover the next morning, there are options for you too. Sausalito’s ice cream spots generally stay open late enough for you to grab a tasty treat after dinner and before enjoying one or more of these other nighttime Sausalito activities.

Lappert’s stays open until 7-8pm depending on the day of the week, as is Ice Cream and Yogurt, and Sausalito Sweets is open until 9pm.

Stroll the Bridgeway Promenade

If you happen to be in town with your special someone, taking a walk along Bridgeway Promenade is one of the most romantic things to do in Sausalito at night.

Bridgeway Promenade is Sausalito’s main waterfront street and right next to the water side of the street, there’s a picturesque sidewalk. The promenade offers some of the best views of the Bay and San Francisco skyline.

There are tons of photogenic spots to capture the moment, but my favorites are Yee Tock Chee Park and the Sea Lion Sculpture. (The Sea Lion Sculpture was removed after a storm in January 2023, but should be back soon after some restoration!)

Have any questions about these things to do in Sausalito at night? Let me know in the comments!