Eight miles north of San Francisco across the bay is a tiny bayside community named Sausalito, meaning Little Grove of Willows. Arrival by ferry is the best way to experience this Mediterranean-style community that is often compared to the French Riviera. Sausalito has a wonderful selection of restaurants and shops lining its scenic marina on Bridgeway Avenue.

Sausalito's many attractions include the Bay Model, a scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Delta, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum which offers hands-on interactive exhibits for children.

Just 20 minutes north of San Francisco is Tiburon, a charming town resembling an authentic New England seaport village. In 1884 Tiburon served as a ferry terminal to connect the railroad between San Rafael and San Francisco. Today, Tiburon's Main Street offers unique shops, galleries, cafes and waterfront restaurants with unsurpassed views of San Francisco. Further along Main Street is Ark Row, a collection of restored arks that house a variety of boutiques and specialty stores. Additional shopping is located at the Boardwalk Shopping Center.

For visitor information, contact the Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 435-5633.

Muir Woods is located 17 miles northwest of San Francisco just off Highway 1. Cathedral and Bohemian Groves contain the largest Coast redwoods - up to 252 feet tall and 14 feet across.