Founding

Sausalito has a rich and colorful history. It was occupied for centuries by native Americans, as a choice location full of wildlife. In 1838, an English sailor named William Richardson sought and received a land grant for the entire Marin headlands -- 19,500 acres. He named his ranch Rancho del Sausalito -- Ranch of the Little Willow Grove. California was, of course, still part of Mexico at the time.

Richardson built a ranching and maritime empire from his home base in Sausalito, which lasted until he lost everything during the Gold Rush.  He died broke in 1856, having lost the ranch because of his debts.

Early Growth

Like many inland towns, it was the railroad that triggered the growth of Sausalito. In the 1870s, the railroad reached Sausalito from the north, and ferries extended it across the Bay to San Francisco. Until the Golden Gate Bridge was built, everyone heading north from San Francisco traveled through Sausalito. After the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937, demand for the Sausalito trains and ferries dropped.

Marinship

During World War II, Bechtel Co., with contracts to build "Liberty Ships" for the Navy, built the enormous Marinship shipyard in Sausalito. Marinship's 70,000 workers built 15 freighters and 78 tankers in less than 4 years -- an average of one every 13 days. It not only changed Sausalito; it created Marin City, which began as a housing community for the shipyard workers. During 6 months in 1942, Marin City went from literally non-existent to a city with more residents than Sausalito itself.  This spurred the development of several small marinas which still exist today.

Sausalito Today

From its early years, Sausalito has had a split personality. The waterfront has long been home to many boat builders and other marine service industries and craftsmen, while the hills are filled with expensive homes.  Tourists are drawn by the beauty and authenticity of our marinas, waterfront and parks.