Ahoy Travelers! Welcome Aboard The Darwind — Your Sausalito Floating Retreat
IMPORTANT TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING:
The Darwind does not have a bathroom (no head onboard).
Guests use the clean, secure marina restrooms and showers located approximately 70 yards away. These are private-access facilities used by many liveaboards, and they are well maintained.
With that noted, welcome to your floating escape.
The Experience
The Darwind is a 28-foot sailboat resting in beautiful Richardson Bay. She’s compact, cozy, and perfect for guests looking for a unique alternative to a hotel—quiet, simple, peaceful, and connected to nature.
Ideal for:
A solo traveler
Someone working remotely with a hotspot
A creative retreat
Anyone wanting to experience “boat life” for the first time
Spring and summer in Sausalito are especially stunning, and life aboard truly offers a memorable shift in perspective.
The Space
Before booking, please note:
This is a space designed for unplugging.
There is no Wi-Fi onboard. Please bring a hotspot or visit any of the excellent walkable cafés nearby.
Bathroom access:
Two private-access marina restrooms/showers are nearby. Since other boats rely on them, there may be brief waits at times.
Rocking and weather:
Sausalito can be windy, and the Darwind will move with the water. This is normal for life on a small sailboat, and most guests find they adjust quickly.
Boarding requires balance:
You will take three steps onto the boat, and then descend a short ladder into the cabin. Take your time and use both hands.
Quiet hours begin at 10 PM.
This is a respectful, peaceful marina community.
Amenities Onboard
Mini fridge
Air fryer
Water kettle
Filtered running water
French press
Dehumidifier
Fresh sheets and towels
Local and marine-themed book collection
Sit-on-top kayak for exploring Richardson Bay
Exploring Sausalito
Use the provided kayak to paddle around Richardson Bay and observe pelicans, cormorants, terns, and Sausalito’s well-known harbor seals.
Walk or bike ten minutes to downtown Sausalito for restaurants, cafés, galleries, and waterfront viewpoints.
Nearby Essentials
Laundromats: 5-minute drive
Wi-Fi cafés: 3–7-minute walk (Taste of Rome, Equator Coffee, Firehouse Coffee & Tea)
Outdoor destinations within 30 minutes: Mount Tamalpais, Stinson Beach, Tennessee Valley, Marin Headlands, Marine Mammal Center
San Francisco is a short ferry ride or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge
Parking
The marina lot has a 3-hour daytime parking limit. Many long-term boaters extend this without issue, but enforcement does occur occasionally.
Residential parking is a 5-minute walk away if you prefer guaranteed long-term parking.
Guest Access
You have full access to the entire boat and the marina during your stay.
Feel free to relax on the upper deck, the cockpit, or inside the cabin.
You may bring a guest or two, keeping in mind the coordination and balance required to board.
The marina community is friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Fun Facts About Sausalito
Sausalito is home to one of the most historic and artistic houseboat communities on the West Coast.
During Prohibition, many boats used the Sausalito fog as cover to smuggle alcohol across the Bay.
Sausalito receives significantly more sunshine than San Francisco, thanks to its sheltered location.
Harbor seals, rays, otters, and occasional dolphins are spotted regularly in Richardson Bay.
Several films, including “Basic Instinct” and “The Lady From Shanghai,” shot scenes here.
Fun Facts About Cal T2 Sailboats
Cal sailboats have a strong reputation for stability and performance, originally designed by famed naval architect Bill Lapworth.
Many Cal models have completed major ocean passages, showing their durability.
The T2 series is known for its lightweight, responsive design—excellent for breezy coastal conditions.
Californians widely consider Cal boats to be some of the most reliable production sailboats of their era.
Final Notes
Bathroom:
There is no head onboard. You will receive a private marina key; replacement cost is $300. Please keep it secure.
Access:
Getting on and off the boat requires coordination and careful balance. Take your time.
Wi-Fi:
None onboard by design. This stay is meant to be simple, peaceful, and unplugged—similar to remote backpacking, but on the water.
