Remote Surveillance Trailer in Sausalito, CA

Sea level rise is reshaping coastal towns. A draft shoreline adaptation plan in Sausalito, California, has sparked outrage from waterfront business owners who said the city is effectively planning to "sacrifice" parts of downtown, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

In early January, exceptionally high tides and winter storms around the San Francisco Bay flooded low-lying areas near Sausalito, showing how tides and storms can compound.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the City of Sausalito drafted a plan showing many local businesses and landmarks underwater in the coming decades. The draft used city projections that foresee 0.8 feet of sea level rise by 2050, and about 3.1 feet by 2100.

A major flashpoint centers on the Spinnaker, a longtime waterfront restaurant perched at the edge of downtown Sausalito, overlooking San Francisco Bay. The draft shoreline adaptation plan identified the Spinnaker site as particularly vulnerable to rising seas and recommended that the city consider abandoning the structure. In some scenarios, the land beneath and around the restaurant could eventually become tidal habitat to accommodate higher water levels.

That proposal alarmed business owners who see the restaurant as both a historic landmark and a cornerstone of Sausalito's tourism economy. The Spinnaker's general manager, Jeff Scharosch, pushed back, telling the San Francisco Chronicle, "That's not happening. We've been here 65 years, we'll be here another 65."

Scientists link rising seas to a warming planet driven largely by human-released polluting gases, including those from burning oil, coal, and gas.

A warmer ocean expands, and melting glaciers and ice sheets add water; these are the two dominant drivers of rising global sea levels.

Higher baseline seas let storm surges push farther inland, increasing flooding that can damage roads, sewer systems, and evacuation routes.

Sausalito's draft estimated mid-century flooding losses of roughly $240 million to $570 million. By 2100, losses could reach $1.2 billion to $4.2 billion, including almost a mile of roads.

Extreme weather disasters make this a livelihood issue. Flooded streets can close businesses, disrupt tourism and jobs, and raise health and safety risks during and after storm events.

In response to the backlash, the Sausalito City Council paused the draft plan, emphasizing that it is a long-term planning document and not an immediate demolition order. Further community input will shape the final version.

The finalized plan will aim to protect transportation and utilities, preserve Bay access for water-related businesses, and add nature-based defenses where feasible.

On a broader level, resilience means both preparing for impacts and reducing the pollution fueling them. Communities can support smart shoreline planning, invest in cleaner energy, and back policies that limit pollution that's raising global temperatures.

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The sun-kissed shores, blue waters, and colorful architecture of the Italian Riviera have attracted tourists for millennia. But in California’s Bay Area, you can enjoy a little slice of la dolce vita without having to grab your passport (or fork over the big bucks).

The small city of Sausalito, California, promises a Mediterranean escape minutes from one of the nation’s biggest metropolises, San Francisco. Located less than 10 miles from The City by the Bay, it doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to figure out why Sausalito is often called “California’s Italian Riviera”—charming shops and restaurants line the streets in pastel shades, cottages climb into the forested hills, and ocean breezes roll in from the water.

Sausalito also enjoys a reputation as a haven for artistic types. For example, poet and cartoonist Shel Silverstein lived in the city for 14 years. Known for works like “The Giving Tree” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” Silverstein spent more than a decade living at 8 Liberty Dock on a 1,200-square-foot houseboat nicknamed the “Evil Eye.” The converted World War II balloon barge served as a home and creative space for Silverstein inside Sausalito’s Waldo Point Harbor floating community.

Today, visitors still stroll by the boat to pay homage to the beloved artist. Though you can't come aboard since it’s a private residence, you may be able to spot the Evil Eye’s namesake stained glass window from the marina’s public walkways. However, Evil Eye is just one of many unique, colorful houseboats in Waldo Point, so save some time to marvel at the other vessels docked nearby.

Back on land, you’ll find plenty of other attractions calling your name. While the many destinations of San Francisco are a short drive or ferry ride away, Sausalito has plenty of its own entertainment. Just across the Marin Headlands lies The Marine Mammal Center, an animal rehabilitation center and hospital that offers free entry to view native wildlife like elephant seals, fur seals, and otters as they recover. In Sausalito proper, you can also learn more about the Bay Area at the Bay Model Visitor Center, which features a fully functional, 1.5-acre hydraulic model of the local river and tides system.

From the Bay Model Visitor Center, it’s a short walk to the shopping and dining options of downtown Sausalito and the Bridgeway Promenade. With all of those ocean views around you, trying some fresh seafood is a must—dining options like Scoma’s of Sausalito and Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib dish up locally gathered shellfish and fish right on the water. To embrace the town’s Italian vibes, meanwhile, snag a table at Bocce Bar and chow down on wood-fired pizzas topped with everything from gorgonzola and sausage to pear and candied walnuts.

After a day of exploring Sausalito, you have ample lodging options to choose from. The lavishly renovated Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is housed in a mansion originally built in 1885 and features guest rooms with plush, Victorian-inspired furnishings. And if you want to stay as close to the ocean as possible, The Inn Above Tide is a fantastic choice. The 33 rooms and suites—some of which have private bay view balconies—are perfect for romantic getaways and family vacations alike.