Every Friday evening from around Memorial Day through August, Sausalito puts on a free outdoor live music event in a setting that is truly hard to beat – Jazz and Blues by the Bay.

Located on the lush green lawn that is Gabrielson Park, and abutting the Bay, the event is ideally located in the calmest weather location Sausalito has to offer. You’ll want to arrive early to stake out a spot if you’re hoping to get a patch of grass. On warm days those coveted spots can fill up by 5:30; the music starts at 6:30 and generally goes until 8:00.

Family and dog-friendly, kids like to catch hermit crabs between rocks near the shore, while the adults often bring picnics and enjoy the company of friends. It’s a perfect way to start the weekend. If you don’t bring an assortment of snacks and drinks, you can find plenty of great food at the nearby Farmer’s Market which starts earlier and is located in the Bank of America parking lot. BBQ and drinks are also available at kiosks at the event.

You have a number of options for arriving at the event. There is easy parking, the ferry landing is just steps away, or you can join the ever-growing contingency of boaters that anchor just off shore and enjoy the music from there. 

The music is pleasantly varied from week to week and on warm, fog-free evenings the crowd often hangs around well past sunset.  Some days are warmer than others, but with a little planning you can be sure to enjoy the event no matter the weather. Afterwards you have a variety of great restaurants, bars, and cafés to choose from that are all within easy walking distance.

Bring your sunglasses and we hope to see you there!

Posted by: Mark Rushford

To me, Memorial Day signals the “official” start of summer and will again this year despite our persistent winter like weather.  To help start your summer off here is a recap of some of the popular Memorial Day weekend activities scheduled around Marin County. 

Marin Greek Festival – Saturday/Sunday 11am-10pm 
Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, Novato
(Note that some of the proceeds will go to my favorite organization, Marin Advocates for Children of which I serve on the board)

Larkspur Flower & Food Festival – Sunday 11am-6pm
Downtown Larkspur, Magnolia & King Streets

Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighter’s Barbecue – Sunday 12-5pm
Muir Beach Picnic Grounds(There is a great silent auction and wonderful t-shirts for the whole family)

Caledonia Street Fair – Sunday 11am-6pm
Caledonia Street, Sausalito

Mill Valley Volunteer Firefighters Annual Pancake Breakfast – Monday 7-11am
Masonic Lodge, Mill Valley

Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade – Start time 10:30am
Old Mill Park, along Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley

Come to each of these fun events dressed for un-summer like weather and have fun!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Opening day on the San Francisco Bay is the last Sunday in April (April 25, 2010 this year) and is the Northern California sailing season’s official opening day. Join in on the festivities and watch over 150 boats, beautifully decorated and adorned, cruise across San Francisco Bay in parade formation.

This annual event, dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Yacht Club Association, is open to all vessels that pre-register. Opening Day on the Bay is one big party for both the sailors and the spectators. There are boats decked out for the party and some really wild themes “come about” to both the amusement and amazement of the spectators. This event is well worth the price of admission…….free for spectators. There are several spectacular vantage points from both San Francisco and Marin to view the activities. Try the Sausalito waterfront or Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon. Many of the boats will anchor in Sausalito and Tiburon and they invite spectators onto their boats to party with them.

The event starts at noon. Also on Sunday, April 25, Frank Howard Allen will be holding it’s Open House Extravaganza where we will have over 100 of our listings open from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. From many of our Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley listings, you will be able to see the opening day activities as they happen. Stop by 122 Crescent in Sausalito and enjoy the view from the deck over looking the Bay!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Every year since 1952 (it’s even older than I am!) on Labor Day weekend, Sausalito hosts the annual Sausalito Art Festival which is voted #1 year after year for quality world class art and musical entertainment. Years ago I purchased a photograph of an eight year old Haitian girl and I never fail to have friends comment on it. It is still one of my favorites and I am sure there are a lot of other attendees over the year whom have similar stories.

Sausalito has a unique historical waterfront and is known the world over. The many art galleries attract visitors year around but nothing compares to the millions of people who have attended the Art Festival over the years. The entertainment performs on three stages and good eats and wine can be purchased to enjoy on the lawn of the park.

I plan to once again make the pilgrimage to the festival and I hope to see you there.

For tickets, call 415 331-3757.

For information on Sausalito real estate, call me at 415 793-5030.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Then look no further than the yacht clubs perched at our water’s edge. While I am not a sailor by any stretch (I was born in the desert), I love to hang out by the water and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor. I always marvel at how easily the captains maneuver the boats in and out of the slips. But if you are interested in actually belonging to that club of boating types, we have four great opportunities for you to commune with other sailors.

The Corinthian Yacht Club located in downtown Tiburon, and by the way one of California’s oldest landmarks, enjoys an atmosphere that is both casual and relaxed. The club offers many activities and social events such as sailing lessons and mid winter regattas and you need not have a boat to join. Social memberships are available, and the ballroom which can seat 200 for dinner is available to rent for special occasions. This is a very popular place for weddings. With its incredible views of San Francisco, enjoy the cozy bar or sit on the deck and watch the world sail by.

The San Francisco Yacht Club on the shore of Belvedere Cove in Belvedere was originally founded in 1869 in China Basin in San Francisco. The current club dates to 1937 when it relocated from its facility in Sausalito. The club is the oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi and is widely recognized as the premier yachting facility on the West Coast and has an active junior sailor program. The club has striking views, a full service restaurant and bar and is host to many formal and informal social events.

Located on the east side of the Tiburon peninsula at Paradise Cay Marina, the Tiburon Yacht Club is more yacht club rather than social club. The club offers many programs including racing, cruising, social events and inter-club programs. There is a junior program for kids and a Friday night race and dinner each week in the summer.

The Sausalito Yacht Club was established in 1942. Boats were left in the care of the new club as many local boat owners were called to war. Founded to promote both racing and cruising, the club hosts events such as U.S. Junior Women’s Single-handed Championship and the Challenge Series of IACC design America’s Cup Boats in 2003. The club offers a youth summer sailing program and dining and dancing events throughout the year.

If you want to sail, have your children learn how to sail or just hang out smelling the salt air, come to Southern Marin and enjoy the Bay.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Many have been watching with great curiosity a large yacht, complete with helicopter, anchored in Richardson Bay off the south end of Sausalito. It was reported at last that it belongs to Dennis Washington of Montana and owner of Washington Companies, a group including mining, transportation, environmental remediation, aviation (aka helicopter) and real estate development.

Mr. Washington was ranked 88th on the Forbes list of 400 richest Americans last year. As to his yacht, it is the 14th of the largest US yachts and 71st of the world’s yachts. It does not appear that he travels to land via his helicopter, but via a small boat docked aft of the yacht. Why Richardson Bay? Why not? San Francisco is beautiful, Marin is a special place to be and as long as his yacht the Attessa III is not in the shipping channels of the San Francisco Bay, he is welcome to drop anchor.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr