Be honest. When’s the last time you took a trip that was truly relaxing? Despite our best intentions, we often make our vacation plans nearly as packed as our day-to-day lives. And, while it can be tempting to always put ourselves in the middle of the action, we also need the opportunity to unwind and recharge. Accordingly, planning a trip centered around wellness is one of the best gifts you could give yourself and Sausalito, California is exactly the right place to do it.
Think about it this way: San Francisco is a location people travel to from every corner of the world, so no matter where you’re reading this, the idea of taking a trip to the City by the Bay is probably on your must-do list (even if you’ve already been there multiple times). It’s just one of those places with an undeniably magnetic allure. There’s a reason, after all, that Tony Bennet left his heart in San Francisco.
Nonetheless, staying in the City is generally not the most relaxing use of your vacation. From a growing homeless population to the 24/7 noise of downtown, it’s not what most of us would think of as a rejuvenating escape. However, set your sights on the other side of the Bay in Sausalito and you literally have the best of all worlds — a short drive across the iconic Golden Gate bridge gives you a dose of anything you’d like in the city while you can still spend the rest of your time in a mellow, European-like coastal town with redwoods, the Marin Headlands, and California’s magnificent shoreline all short jaunts away.
If it sounds too good to be true, it really is — recently I was lucky enough to be hosted by Buick in Sausalito and I had no idea how much I’d fall in love with this mellow harbor gem. Sausalito may seem like a sleepy place to some, but that’s definitely part of why it belongs in a trip centered around wellness, and that’s also what left us feeling like we’d escaped to Europe. A stroll along its yacht-filled harbor will leave you dreaming of a summer spent on the Mediterranean, and the cute bistros with sidewalk tables make you want to while away the afternoon with a sparkling wine and some people watching.
Still, as much as we all want to do less on vacation, we know it’s easier said than done — the truth is that real relaxation comes with the option to partake in activities and sightseeing at your leisure, instead of at a frantic pace, and that’s exactly what Sausalito offers. It’s a destination where you can take your time but also access all of the beauty and excitement the Bay Area has to offer. As such, we think it’s the best home base for your San Francisco trip and here’s what you’ll need to make your self-care vacation a reality.
Make Sure You Have A Sweet Ride
Okay, I don’t care whether you’re a “car person” or not. If you’re going to stay in Sausalito, it’s good to have your own car, as opposed to just relying on Uber/Lyft and public transportation. This recommendation is in large part because of all of the scenic drives in the area — you’ll want to enjoy seeing the redwoods and navigating the coast in the privacy of your own car and with the freedom to go at your own pace. And, since this trip is all about taking care of yourself, it’s not the time to pick the cheapest rental on Hotwire (guilty!).
Instead, you’ll want something with a comfortable ride that’s also fun to drive (especially when you hit those amazing switchbacks out by the Marin Headlands). So what did we drive that fit the bill? The Buick Enclave with the sport touring package. Now we know what you might be thinking — a Buick? But hear us out. The brand isn’t the same one your grandparents loved back when you were a kid. It has evolved big time. It will leave you nodding "that's a Buick" with complete approval.
Think luxury meets innovation. Imagine a super plush SUV that also has an air ionizer/purifier because they have your health in mind. Expect a 7-seater that could fit a whole family comfortably or your entire squad with adequate legroom for grown humans (I ventured all the way back to the third row to check it out). We’re talking spacious but compact enough that you don’t feel like you’re driving a tank. And, hit the gas pedal to find real performance as opposed to a sluggish “mom car.” You’ll roll up to your destination feeling like you have the sweetest ride in the lot. No joke.
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