What's the toughest ticket in Sausalito? No, it wasn't Jefferson Starship or the Tubes or the Bangles when they played the Art Festival last week. It's the annual Floating Homes Tour of Sausalito houseboats, which sells out every year.
Past tours have attracted visitors from all over the country. Photo courtesy of Floating Homes Assn.
The 25th annual Sausalito Floating Homes Tour will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The self-guided houseboat tour grants visitors rare, once-a-year access inside 19 stunning and unique floating homes. Docents will be on board to point out the highlights of each home, discuss life in Sausalito's floating homes community and answer questions.
Many of this year's tour homes have never before been on the itinerary. Each is an architectural showpiece and a unique reflection of its designers and owners. As one example, the Oyama Wildflower Barge is a landmark structure and the largest floating home in Sausalito. It was commissioned in 1978 by a Japanese architect, who invested over $1,000,000 — close to $3,000,000 in value allowing for inflation today — in its construction.
The tour begins at Gateway Shopping Center in Marin City (where there's plenty of parking), with free shuttle service to the Green at Kappas Marina for your tickets. The Green also serves is the HQ for food and fun throughout the day, with free entertainment highlighting local talent, plus an Art Show and sale featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawings by eleven artists. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.
Advance tickets are $35 at the Floating Homes Association Website. Tour Volunteers are welcome in exchange for a free ticket — contact Joan at usc1953@aol.com if you would like to volunteer.
You can get additional information by calling 415-332-1916. Click here to see photographs and descriptions of the floating homes on this year's tour.
The Floating Homes Tour is sponsored by the Floating Homes Association, a non-profit volunteer organization representing the owners and residents of floating homes within five Sausalito marinas. Proceeds from ticket sales also benefit the Friends of the Marin City Library and other local non-profits.
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