For years I’ve heard my friends yammer on about Sausalito being “the most amazing town … ever”.   The town is just a hop, skip and jump from its big sister … San Fran.  It’s a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.  A wine-lovers oasis.  And a great town to visit, shop, kill time and play Joe Tourist.

For all the dozens of times I’d been to San Fran, Sausalito had always escaped my grasp.  But this time I was determined to soak in the ambience.  We rented some bikes at the bottom of SF’s famed Bay Bridge and took off for a day of adventure.

A few things you should know before attempting this endeavor.  1) While biking is fun, there are some hellacious hills along the way.   The steep inclines will cause you nightmares.  Mercifully, we started drinking BEFORE biking, so the whole thing seemed less daunting.  2) Professional bikers out number you 100 to 1.  And they get wholly annoyed if you invade their turf.  Don’t try to keep up with them.  And don’t make eye contact.  Also, don’t offer them any wine … they won’t accept it.  3) It’s brisk and windy on the bridge, so dress warm or you’ll regret it.  And 4) once you get to Sausalito, don’t just stop within the city limits.  Take some time to go off the beaten path and get lost.  There’s so much more to see and do.

It’s the absolute perfect day trip providing the weather is nice. Sausalito has a laid-back hippy feel to it.  We plopped down at an outdoor patio to drink wine and noticed every patron had a dog (or two) beside them.  The natives are either wealthy or artistic (uh, or both) … but they co-mingle in complete bliss.  (Wave if you see Robin Williams … he has a house there.)

Besides being a tourist Mecca, the city is a living, breathing United Colours of Benetton ad.  I heard fifteen foreign languages within fifteen feet.  But everyone had a spring in the step and a smile on their face … must be something in the sea air.

On the day we went, it was a spectacular, bright sunny day … almost unheard of this time of year when clouds typically prevail.  Even the sea lions took advantage … sunning themselves like lizards on a rock.

If you get a chance, go see what all the hubbub is about.  It’s a gorgeous, dreamy city with wistful vistas and cool breezes.  And the best part?  After you’ve biked your happy ass over to Sausalito, you can catch the ferry back and drink more wine while soaking in the sun.