Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, California is a breezy seaside escape that feels a world away from the city.
With its waterfront views, charming houseboats, and boutique shops and galleries, the small town has been called “California’s Italian Riviera” by sites like Travel + Leisure. Today, its waterfront promenade makes it a go-to for those seeking a slower pace just across the bay from San Francisco.
Now is the time to catch the ferry over to Sausalito, as the city is presenting Jazz and Blues by the Bay, a series of free live concerts on the waterfront every Friday night through September. Locals and visitors gather with picnic blankets and wine in hand, settling in for a laid-back evening watching the sunset.
Each event is sponsored by a community group, with food and drinks available for purchase. Here’s the schedule for the rest of the season:
- July 17: East Side Funk with food from Sausalito VIPS
- July 24: Juke Joint with food from Sausalito Cruising Club
- July 31: Evan Thomas & The Brotherhood with food from Sausalito VIPS
- Aug 7: Incendio with beverages from Rotary Club of Sausalito/food from Sabor a Rancho
- Aug 14: The Volker Strifler Band with beverages from Sausalito Working Waterfront Coalition and Marin Made/food from Cousins Maine Lobster
- Aug 21: Big Blu Soul Revue with beverages from Tam High Foundation/food from Casablanca Moroccan & Mediterranean Food
- Aug 28: The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Willy Jordan with beverages from Sausalito Community Boating Center/food from Sabor a Rancho
- Sept 4: James Henry Hands On Fire with beverages from Performing Stars/food from Marin City Senior Sunshine Club
- Sept 11: Mike “Spiderman” Robinson with beverages from Performing Stars/food from Fully’z-VeSoul Cafe
- Sept 18: Dee Coco & Company with beverages from Performing Stars/food from Fully’z-VeSoul Cafe
- Sept 25: West Coast Blues Society with beverages from Performing Stars/food from Marin City Senior Sunshine Club
Event details
📍 Location: Gabrielson Park on the Sausalito waterfront
🗓️ Dates: Friday evenings, now through September 25, 2026
🕜 Time: Concerts happen from 6:30-8pm in July and August, and 6-7:30pm in September
🎟️ Cost: Free to attend, arrive early for the best spots
🎒 What to bring: Picnic blankets, light layers, snacks or takeout from nearby cafes.
⛴️ Ferry: Take the Golden Gate Ferry from the SF Ferry Building
🌐 Learn more: Sausalito.gov