If you’ve never heard of Sausalito, I envy you.
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Sausalito is one of the country’s funkiest enclaves. It’s a small city that sits just over the Golden Gate Bridge in California’s Marin County. The seaside community is renowned for its docks, home to dozens of gorgeous little houseboats. The area was also an important stopover for the many artists and thinkers who influenced San Francisco throughout the 1940s all the way into the 1970s.
You might have heard of it alongside things like tours to Muir Woods, which often include stops in Sausalito, or as part of the beatnik and bohemian creative worlds, where many artists shacked up to work.
Most visitors stop in for a day, then move on to other NorCal sites. However, if you’re going to visit San Francisco, you might as well head over the famed Golden Gate Bridge to stay for a night in Sausalito. And there’s no better way to do it than waking up on a scenic, floating houseboat smack in the heart of the city.
If you want to add an idyllic side quest to your SF adventure, book one of these houseboat rentals in Sausalito. You can find them on Airbnb and Vrbo.
Coolest houseboat rentals in Sausalito: at a glance
- The bougie pick: Dream Afloat
- The pure style pick: Floating Jewel Box
- The sailor’s dream: Century-Old SF Bay Yacht
11 houseboat rentals in Sausalito on Vrbo and Airbnb
Floating Guest Cottage
This cozy two-bedroom houseboat is truly a floating guest cottage thanks to its warmth and layout. There’s a full kitchen where you can cook meals, a furnished patio for meals, and a livable interior where you won’t feel cramped. For safety reasons, no children under the age of 10 are allowed, but this is otherwise a great pick for families.
Getting Nauti
This small one-bedroom boat is styled like a floating loft—one that comes with a full kitchen, bathroom, and reliable internet. You can also soak up the marina, as this boat has three outdoor decks for you to enjoy. It’s also fit to sleep a third, assuming your guest is okay sleeping on a sofa.
Century-Old SF Bay Yacht
This picture-perfect vessel has been around for one hundred years. You’ll feel its antiquity in its restored wood features, but there’s plenty of modernity to keep up to four guests comfortable. It’s a two-bedroom with a kitchenette and a cocktail table on the back deck. You can also book a cruise with your stay for between two to four hours.
You can also book this rental on Vrbo.
Floating Jewel Box
This 1972 Gibson houseboat has been fully renovated, giving you a modern retreat on the water. You can soak up views of nearby Mount Tam while you sit on the large deck and soak up the sunset while listening to harbor seals. It’s a two-guest setup, too, making it ideal for couples who enjoy a unique escape.
You can also book this rental on Vrbo.
Modern Luxury Boat Home
With two bedrooms that sleep five guests, you can fit more travelers on this lux houseboat. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, a split AC unit, and a large rooftop deck. The interior is also fully renovated and modern, giving you a little more of an upscale feel.
Charming Downtown Sausalito House
You can sleep up to four guests in this cozy, warm houseboat, which has three bedrooms. You can enjoy views of Mount Tam while listening to harbor seals frolic, then head out onto the harbor for a bite and a drink at your leisure. Just know that this is a more rustic, shabby-chic setup.
Sausalito Floating Gem
Covered with stately wood features, this is a grand-feeling houseboat. You can enjoy a classic nautical setup in the interior, then expansive views from the back deck. This houseboat also gives you location, as you’re close to popular bars and restaurants. It sleeps four in two bedrooms, including a double-bunk that’s great for kids.
You can also book this rental on Vrbo.
Home on the Bay
This is another homely houseboat that sleeps up to four, including a double-pullout situation in the small salon. There’s an enclosed back deck offering great views, along with an upper deck where you can soak in sunsets. The kitchen is mini, but fully outfitted for homecooked meals.
Cozy 2-Bedroom Houseboat
This houseboat comes with a lower loft that you can use as a second bedroom to sleep four. It’s a pretty basic setup, but comes with perks like rentable kayaks and outdoor lighting, upon request from the host. There’s also a small patio where you can enjoy your morning coffee.
Acqua Suite
Ideal for couples who want a quiet escape, this comfortable studio-style setup is perfectly simple. There’s a small eating area on the back deck with stellar views, a comfortable living-kitchen in the main area, and a full bathroom that includes a tub. It’s a well-thought-out arrangement that makes the small space feel much larger.
Dream Afloat
This large, stunning houseboat has space to sleep four in four different areas, making it perfect for large friend groups, There are tons of amenities to enjoy, from San Francisco Bay views to a fully equipped kitchen and an expansive outdoor deck. Consider it the best of both worlds, letting you stay on a houseboat while guaranteeing a little more space for you and your guests.
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