First time visitor to SF. I thought this would be a good half day trip mainly to take a ferry, check out some scenery, do a little window shopping and have a good lunch.

Anybody have any rants or raves or good to know stuff about it? Interested in feedback on good places to eat and shop, and take pictures. Off-beat or out of the ordinary activities or attractions are welcome.

I assume we would use the Golden Gate Ferry Service from the San Francisco Ferry building.

We visited SF last May and took the ferry to Sausalito for the day. The highlight of the trip was the ferry to/from and the great pictures we took.

Lots of expensive shops/restaurants, very touristy. We did have a great and inexpensive lunch at a Thai restaurant down the street to the right as you disembark from the ferry. There is a tourist booth near the ferry landing where you can get a map of the area.

I don't know if your into bike riding but I rented a bike at the wharf. I rode the bike over to Sausalito. It's a fun ride. You can take your time and go at your own pace. The ride over the Golden Gate Bridge was great. The only difficult part of the ride was going up the hills. But going down was fun!

Hi, chatnoir. On a nice day a ferry ride to Sausalito is fantastic. The same ferry also stops at Tiburon, I think, for no more $$. So you could stop at Tiburon, have a look around (more shops there as I recall than Sausalito) & then continue on. I've only eaten at a place called Alta Mira which is a serious uphill trek from the ferry (or take a cab) but the outdoor terrace has awesome views. It's actually an old hotel. Here's a thread from a year ago with a few more eating options. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34412492

I seem to recall another thread with more dining info from someone planning family reunion if you want to try a search. Have fun!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34437439

Suggestions for lunch-Sausalito
from 8/03
Several more votes for Alta Mira, a few more options & a suggestion for eating in Tiburon.

BTW, forget the reunion thread. Nothing new in there for you .

FYI, Ferries to Sausalito are available from both Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building.

If your trip is scheduled for a Saturday I would suggest visiting the wonderful Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building in the AM. Have the fruit tarts from Frog Hollow or the Donut Muffins from Downtown Bakery and pick up some coffee from the Blue Bottle stand and then pick up some food for an afternoon picnic or gifts (honey, fruit butters & jams).

On Sausalito, there's a burger stand on the main drag near trhe ferry landing that smells great when you pass by or Sushi Ran for sushi that gets good reviews. Since I filled up at the Farmer's Market I was to full to check out either.

Finally, you may want to consider walking back to SF over the GG Bridge. There is a bus you can catch from near the burger stand that will take you close to the foot of the bridge.

Have a great trip

You have all been wonderful with your superb advice - much better than the two guidebooks I'm looking at now.

I prefer to take a Golden Gate transit bus, ride over the bridge, admire the views, through the village, get off a stop earlier then downtown, and walk along the water. Then ferry back. Going the opposite direction (ferry then bus) is not as exciting.

If you are taking the ferry to Sausalito from S.F. on a Tuesday or Thursday, consider dropping in at the booths of the farmers' market on those days. Buy some fruit and then some sandwiches from the indoor stands. A nice way to put together a picnic before getting on the boat.