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Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay

Houseboat near Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito

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Marina
Property grounds
Room
Interior
Fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker, toaster

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Sausalito, CA
  • Place, Ice House Museum
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Sausalito Visitors Kiosk
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, San Francisco Bay Model Visitor Center
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Airport, Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Sausalito

Downtown stay.Your stay at this Downtown houseboat places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Area Discovery Museum. Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Mount Tamalpais State Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Horseshoe Cove - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Ice House Museum - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Gabrielson Park - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Sausalito Visitors Kiosk - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • San Francisco Bay Model Visitor Center - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Hyde St & Lombard St Stop - 14 min drive
  • Richmond Transit Center - 23 min drive
  • Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Equator Coffees - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Franko & Co Bakery - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Barrel House Tavern - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Fish - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪No Name Bar - ‬11 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay

Ahoy Travelers! Welcome Aboard The Darwind — Your Sausalito Floating Retreat

IMPORTANT TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING:
The Darwind does not have a bathroom (no head onboard).
Guests use the clean, secure marina restrooms and showers located approximately 70 yards away. These are private-access facilities used by many liveaboards, and they are well maintained.

With that noted, welcome to your floating escape.

The Experience

The Darwind is a 28-foot sailboat resting in beautiful Richardson Bay. She’s compact, cozy, and perfect for guests looking for a unique alternative to a hotel—quiet, simple, peaceful, and connected to nature.

Ideal for:

A solo traveler

Someone working remotely with a hotspot

A creative retreat

Anyone wanting to experience “boat life” for the first time

Spring and summer in Sausalito are especially stunning, and life aboard truly offers a memorable shift in perspective.

The Space

Before booking, please note:

This is a space designed for unplugging.
There is no Wi-Fi onboard. Please bring a hotspot or visit any of the excellent walkable cafés nearby.

Bathroom access:
Two private-access marina restrooms/showers are nearby. Since other boats rely on them, there may be brief waits at times.

Rocking and weather:
Sausalito can be windy, and the Darwind will move with the water. This is normal for life on a small sailboat, and most guests find they adjust quickly.

Boarding requires balance:
You will take three steps onto the boat, and then descend a short ladder into the cabin. Take your time and use both hands.

Quiet hours begin at 10 PM.
This is a respectful, peaceful marina community.

Amenities Onboard

Mini fridge

Air fryer

Water kettle

Filtered running water

French press

Dehumidifier

Fresh sheets and towels

Local and marine-themed book collection

Sit-on-top kayak for exploring Richardson Bay

Exploring Sausalito

Use the provided kayak to paddle around Richardson Bay and observe pelicans, cormorants, terns, and Sausalito’s well-known harbor seals.

Walk or bike ten minutes to downtown Sausalito for restaurants, cafés, galleries, and waterfront viewpoints.

Nearby Essentials

Laundromats: 5-minute drive

Wi-Fi cafés: 3–7-minute walk (Taste of Rome, Equator Coffee, Firehouse Coffee & Tea)

Outdoor destinations within 30 minutes: Mount Tamalpais, Stinson Beach, Tennessee Valley, Marin Headlands, Marine Mammal Center

San Francisco is a short ferry ride or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge

Parking

The marina lot has a 3-hour daytime parking limit. Many long-term boaters extend this without issue, but enforcement does occur occasionally.
Residential parking is a 5-minute walk away if you prefer guaranteed long-term parking.

Guest Access

You have full access to the entire boat and the marina during your stay.
Feel free to relax on the upper deck, the cockpit, or inside the cabin.
You may bring a guest or two, keeping in mind the coordination and balance required to board.

The marina community is friendly, warm, and welcoming.

Fun Facts About Sausalito

Sausalito is home to one of the most historic and artistic houseboat communities on the West Coast.

During Prohibition, many boats used the Sausalito fog as cover to smuggle alcohol across the Bay.

Sausalito receives significantly more sunshine than San Francisco, thanks to its sheltered location.

Harbor seals, rays, otters, and occasional dolphins are spotted regularly in Richardson Bay.

Several films, including “Basic Instinct” and “The Lady From Shanghai,” shot scenes here.

Fun Facts About Cal T2 Sailboats

Cal sailboats have a strong reputation for stability and performance, originally designed by famed naval architect Bill Lapworth.

Many Cal models have completed major ocean passages, showing their durability.

The T2 series is known for its lightweight, responsive design—excellent for breezy coastal conditions.

Californians widely consider Cal boats to be some of the most reliable production sailboats of their era.

Final Notes

Bathroom:
There is no head onboard. You will receive a private marina key; replacement cost is $300. Please keep it secure.

Access:
Getting on and off the boat requires coordination and careful balance. Take your time.

Wi-Fi:
None onboard by design. This stay is meant to be simple, peaceful, and unplugged—similar to remote backpacking, but on the water.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchenette

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Service animals only (pets not allowed)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and return the keys
Make sure to leave the keys on the hook.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay to the airport?

This houseboat is 23.1 mi (53-min drive) away from the San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this houseboat.

How close is Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay to the beach?

This houseboat is 9.3 mi (29-min drive) from Ocean Beach and 15.2 mi (50-min drive) from Stinson Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay offer free breakfast?

This houseboat does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay?

No, there is no casino at this houseboat, but San Pablo Lytton Casino (27-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay?

Free parking is not available at this houseboat.

Does Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay have a pool?

This houseboat does not have a pool.

Does Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this houseboat.

How close is Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay to downtown Sausalito?

This houseboat is 0.1 mi away from Sausalito.

Perfect 1-bedroom boat in awesome Sausalito for a unique stay Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great host, great boat and marina, great location!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jessica Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful and relaxing stay on the boat. Everything was just as described and the host was so kind to accommodate our late arrival.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Host was very responsive and helpful during our stay! The boat was perfect, bed comfortable for a boat bed! Location was easy to find and we took a liking to one of the bathrooms. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Clay R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Had a wonderful time on the Darwinder! She's a lovely vessel, and was quite comfortable despite overnight temperatures in the 40s. Amenities were well selected and maintained, and would loved to have time to take The marina is an easy walk from the ferry terminals, and a number of restaurants and coffee shops. Overnight parking was not an issue, but I was ticketed once for leaving a vehicle there all day on a busy Saturday. Not surprising and relatively inexpensive, given the cost of everything else in the Bay Area!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2026