We list five different ways to get to Sausalito from Oakland, with a wide range of costs, schedules and degrees of luxury.
See also our guides for getting to Sausalito from inside San Francisco, and from San Francisco Airport.
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Taxi from Oakland to Sausalito
Traffic at different times of day can cause big variations, but a good estimate of the taxi fare from SFO to Sausalito is $70-$80, including tip. Taxi stands are outside the baggage areas for all terminals.
The local taxi companies include:
-- Bel Aire Taxi (415-388-1234). They have a flat airport rate if you call ahead, and accept Visa and Mastercard.
-- North Bay Coop Taxi (415-258-2800), which if you schedule a van in advance can handle wheelchairs and other access and disability needs, and accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
-- Sausalito Taxi (332-2200)
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Limos and Towncars from Oakland to Sausalito
It's always good to call ahead for limos to compare rates, which can vary day by day based on how busy they are.
Leisure Shuttle Limousine is owned and managed by a Sausalito native. We have not yet used the service, but we have to cheer for our home teams. Their number is 415-225-7877
A Sausalito company that we've been pleased with is Strawberry Limousine. Their phone number is 415-332-8888.
We have not used Sausalito Limousines but want to try them out. Their phone is 800-715-4857.
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BART and Ferry from Oakland to Sausalito
If you're arriving during the day, the weather is nice and your luggage has wheels, you can combine the BART subway and the Sausalito Ferry to get from Oakland to downtown Sausalito and see beautiful scenery as you do so. The BART service at Oakland is connected by a shuttle bus called "AirBART" that runs from in front of the terminals every ten minutes. A map of the Oakland Airport showing the AirBART shuttle location is here.
Once you reach the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART Station in Oakland trains to San Francisco are scheduled about every 15 minutes. Make sure your train says it is going to Daly City -- this is the route to San Francisco. Take BART to Embarcadero Station and exit. This is the first stop on the San Francisco side of the Bay.
At Embarcadero Station when you exit you will come up onto Market St. Look around for the big clock tower nearby -- that's the Ferry Building, where you want to go. It's about one long city block from the BART Station. Walk through the building (it has a great high-end shopping arcade) and out the back to reach the piers, where signs will direct you to the Sausalito Ferry. The Ferry pier is in the heart of downtown Sausalito. The BART website is here. Our guide to the Sausalito Ferry, with links to all schedule information, is here.
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Shuttle Services from Oakland to Sausalito
Insiders Tip that Saves You Time: This is a place where "buying local" also will save you time. If you choose an Airport Shuttle service based in Marin County (where Sausalito is located), Sausalito is much more likely to be the first stop and everyone else has to take the side trip to drop you off. If you use one of the national services, you may have to endure multiple stops in San Francisco before you finally reach Sausalito. Local shuttles include Marin Door-to-Door and Marin Shuttle.
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Rental Cars and Driving from Oakland
Not going through San Francisco en route from Oakland Airport to San Francisco is a longer journey but covers fewer traffic-choke-points. Every local has an opinion on which way is better -- we're in the "don't go through San Francisco" camp.
<Google Map Instructions: Use the "+" and "-" buttons to zoom in and out, the arrow keys to scroll the map, and the SAT button to see the satellite view.
Follow the signs for the 880 Freeway as you leave Oakland Airport and take the lane labeled "880 North". After about 9 miles you will come to a fork for the Bay Bridge and Interstate 580. Stay to the right and merge into Interstate 580 towards Berkeley -- do not take the Bay Bridge. For a few miles this stretch of freeway is both Interstate 80 and Interstate 580, so if you see two signs here it's OK.
After you pass through Berkeley 580 will branch off on the right towards the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. Take this exit and follow it to the bridge, which has a $4.00 toll.
After crossing the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, take the 2nd exit for Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Follow Sir Francis Drake as it winds along the edge of the Bay (yes, that's San Quentin you're driving past) and it will bring you to Highway 101. Take Highway 101 south.
After about six miles you will see the Sausalito exit on the right. Exit here, turn left at the stop light and go under the freeway. The next stoplight you reach will be at Bridgeway. Turn right on Bridgeway and it will bring you into the heart of Sausalito. The downtown area is about a mile and a half from the freeway exit.
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