Google's C-Tech team wraps up the Sausaito Treasure Hunt with art, poetry and song!
Walking tour participants pause to pay respect to a local waterfront hero, Joe Tate, in front of his 1890s ark, Becky Thatcher.
Enjoy the local wildlife.
... Spaulding Boatworks
Meet Harold Sommers and get the story on the Wanderbird
Our very own Taj Mahal - see it on our Treasure Hunt!
Stroll the Docks of the Bay!
STROLL THE DOCKS OF THE BAY!
Historic Floating Homes
Restoration of the Freda at the Spaulding Boatworks
Our guide Victoria Colella with one of the more interesting houseboats.
Victoria pointed out interesting features of the Sausalito waterfront
looks a little Chinese? There is a reason!
...and we end up with tea and cookies at the boat lettering shack next to the WWII shipways.
Another option is to buy a copy of the Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour guide book - photos, maps and directions.Retail locations on website.
See the interesting ornaments on the house boats!
Go inside the "Cathedral of Wooden Boat Building" in California
Victoria guiding us on the tour.
..and historic house boats
Tour ends with Tea and Cookies at the boat lettering shack overlooking the World War II Shipways
Victoria Colella with her mural at Clipper Yacht Harbor
See the old shipyards and boat ways - still in use today!
Jan M.
Apr 21, 2015
I thoroughly loved this tour. It was so fascinating to learn of this world on the wooden boats and the culture of their existence as narrated by our tour guide Victoria. She was knowledgeable, insightful and entertaining. It is 3 1/2hrs and my recommendation is to wear closed toes tennis shoes/sneakers. There are areas with gravel like surface so your going to want to protect your feet. My other advice is to use the restroom close to the meeting point because there is only another public restrooms at the end of the tour.The added treat at the end of the tour was Victoria having Tea & cookies awaiting us on a beautiful setting. I have told everyone about this tour and share my pictures of the inside of the homes we were allowed into. She has a book about the history of this area and I highly recommend it.Take an afternoon calmly sauntering this world of the wooden boats and take it all in in delightful amazement.
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David W.
Jun 9, 2014
Victoria has the monopoly for tours in Sausalito, so don't bother looking elsewhere!I've been looking for a good excuse to visit Sausalito and this was perfect! Tours are VERY pricey. I did see some online deals before with Travelzoo or Groupon, but I didn't want to hold out. Friend was visiting during Easter weekend and I decided to bite the bullet.Be careful in choosing which days to take the tour. We went on Sunday, and heath and the boating school were closed.She made up for up by getting us inside a ship (GoGetter tugboat). You need keys to get in, and she usually does't do this on other tours.The tour is 3 hours long and requires quite a bit of walking. Come with good shoes and sunscreen. There are some AMAZING photo spots. At some points, I was struggling on whether I should listen or I should be snapping. There also another special bonus too! We got free tea service at her work place afterwards. Her mint tea and strawberry shortcake were fabulous and yummy!!! How awesome!!!We had such a great time, and I highly recommend anyone wanting to explore more of SF to come out here. It's a good excuse to finally cross the Golden Gate Bridge! ^_^
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Walker S.
Sep 26, 2011
Victoria took us on an amazing walking tour of the Sausalito houseboat communities with a wonderful prospective of history and hands-on participation, being a real part of this vibrant bay area treasure. I really enjoyed taking the time to walk with Victoria and take in her love and knowledge of Sausalito's historic waterfront. She has many awards and recommendations but I wanted to add my own. Highly recommended.
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Brian C.
Jul 25, 2011
Victoria,If only our Taxi ride back to the airport was as awesome as our tour. Everyone else,This tour was great. If you plan on going to Sausalito you must take this tour. You will learn so much about the history of Sausalito and see some really cool house boats and "arks" - floating houses. Victoria really knew her stuff and was not only warm and a delight to visit with, she had a special treat waiting for us all at the end of the tour. We loved the tour so much we went back again today and spent some time there on our own. We even stopped at a restaurant (Anchorage 5) we saw along the way and had the best omellete we have in a long while. Anyway - the tour was really worth the cost and you will enjoy everything you see, hear and learn. Sausalito is better in many ways because of the three hours we took with Victoria!As for the taxi ride - look up my other reviews on Marin Door-to-Door and Bel-aire taxi. Not a good experience, but it had nothing to do with the tour. We can't wait for our next trip to San Fran and to Sausalito. Hoo Hoo!!
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Jessica C.
Mar 8, 2009
I guess there aren't many reviews on here for this because it really is the best-kept secret of things to do in Sausalito. This tour goes way beyond wooden boats; it's really an inside view of a totally different culture and lifestyle. Not only are the boats themselves works of art, but what people have done to them on top of that as well as what these vessels have evolved and transofrmed into is amazing. It's like burning man on the water :) Very cool, a great way to spend a day out of the city and by the water.P.S. the sausalito wooden boat tour is now rated the #1 best thing to do in sausalito on TripAdvisor.com ...it's sooooooooo sweet :)
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Sandy S.
Jul 5, 2011
Victoria definitely has the charisma and energy for this great tour. I enjoyed touring the houseboat and floating home communities.
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Katie A.
May 30, 2015
Victoria is a delight, and the Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour was wonderful. I am an anchor-out from long ago, and currently live on a boat, and I learned a lot! Highlights included the history of the Marinship, information about building wooden boats, and about artists (Varda), philosophers (Alan Watts) and musicians (Joe Tate) who live(d) on boats. Great tour, ending with tea, raspberries, blueberries and cookies in Victoria's studio.
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Cheryl B.
Apr 3, 2012
Victoria is a wonderful tour guide and really enjoys telling the history of the house boat community of Sausalito! I enjoyed this tour immensely and would recommend it to anyone who wants a unique look into this wonderful and original town! 5 Stars!
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Jeffrey K.
Jul 26, 2024
This tour is great! Not rushed or "canned" like some tours I went on. The tour guide, Victoria, is exceptionally knowledgable and passionate about the community and its preservation. Time flew by, as Victoria regaled us with the stories of the different wooden boats. The tour is accessible and would be great for all ages and all abilities. I can't recommend it enough!
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Lee O.
Nov 10, 2021
What began as an uncertain step into the unknown, quickly turned into a totally immerisive, educational and adventurous joyride. Victoria and Jocelyn brought the history of the place to life in the most magical way, fully activating all the senses. We learned, we laughed, and we even danced!! Finishing the day over delcious snacks together in Victoria's beautiful studio space capped off a satisfying and memorable day. A truly unique experience, highly recommended to the curious and the adventurous
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