House boat

Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation!

Photo gallery for Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation!

Exterior
Entrance with hand-carved bench from Bali, potted plants and two bicycles
Guests enter overlooking a two story atrium with tropical flora to guest room
Entertainment area, including smart TV
Sitting area off living room during the day

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6343.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View map
Sausalito, CA
  • San Francisco Bay Model Visitor Center
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Golden Gate Bridge
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Marin Headlands
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Convertible bed

1 Double Sofa Bed

Living Room

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation!

Featured in California Home and Design magazine and a number of TV programs. Cited rather grandiosely on CBS as "One of the world's most luxurious houseboats". There are no upscale hotels in the Bay Area where two couples can stay for the price/night as on "Shangri-La". We only accept reservations for a two week period in 2025, from July 12-24.

Our home is an architecturally designed redwood floating home in Sausalito, CA.. Twenty minutes to the museums, art galleries, theatre, cable cars, Alcatraz, great restaurants, and shopping in downtown San Francisco. Drive one hour north to the famous Napa and Sonoma wine country for wine tasting. Our houseboat is ideal to experience the very best of houseboat living. There are three floors, plus a roof garden with a spectacular view. There are two beautiful, luxurious bedrooms. The master bedroom is on the top floor and has a fireplace with a hot tub on an adjoining balcony. A second bedroom on the lower floor has Asian decor with an adjoining sitting room en suite. The middle floor is an open floor plan, beautifully furnished with a fully equipped gourmet kitchen which is adjacent to the dining area with a dining table that seats eight persons. The stunning, yet comfortable and beautifully appointed living room area features authentic ethnic art and history from our travels around the world. There is a porch off the living room to enjoy sunsets over Mt. Tamalpais. The roof garden has spectacular 360 degree views. There two bicycles for your use on the nearby bike path and kayaks for exploring Richardson Bay. There are numerous good restaurants, and shopping, nearby.

It is a five minute drive to miles of mountain hiking trails overlooking the Pacific ocean. We are adjacent to a bird sanctuary with miles of walking and biking paths along Richardson Bay. It is a twenty minute drive to central San Francisco or a twenty minute ferry ride. (The ferry ride from downtown Sausalito to San Francisco, going past Alcatraz is a very special experience). Sixty minutes away are Napa and Sonoma Valleys and world renowned wineries. where you can enjoy a day of wine tasting.

Whats around? Only a 5 minute drive to the Golden Gate Bridge, two miles to the center of historic, scenic Sausalito to shop or dine. Catering or personal chef available.

What's inside: It is a unique, very spacious, luxurious, architect designed redwood and glass houseboat with over 3,000 square feet of living space on three floors plus a roof garden. There is a hot tub off the master bedroom, an interior atrium with tropical plants. The lovely roof garden for relaxing and entertaining, which includes a barbecue, dining table, chairs, two sofas and a gas fireplace. Our houseboat is truly historic, (Pavoratti actually did sleep here), romantic and fun. Totally renovated with great attention to detail.

Mid Level: Perfect for entertaining.(no parties, please). You enter into a vestibule, then continue on past a two story atrium into a spacious living room and seated dining area, with quality furniture and art objects throughout. In the far right hand corner is a large window seat that looks out onto beautiful Mt. Tamalpais which can be used as a single bed. Straight ahead off the main deck through sliding doors is our "wheel house" decorated with the wheel off a French yacht. The state of the art gourmet kitchen is fully outfitted and has custom marble counters, professional stove, full size refrigerator/freezer, small and large appliances, three-person eating counter. There is a bar area. A beautiful Asian decor bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and shower, and a large wall mirror, complete this floor. Tasteful artifacts abound as the owners are a former diplomat and an international travel executive with a background in anthropology.

Lower Floor: There is a suite of two rooms which include a beautiful Asian bedroom with sliding shoji screen doors from Japan and quality queen size bed. Adjacent to this bedroom is a comfortable sitting room with a pull out queen bed, and a desk. The washer and dryer are located separately on this floor. The beautiful bathroom for this bedroom is located at the top of the stairs on the next floor. (It has a shower and bath with jacuzzi). The lower floor also has an apartment which is totally insulated for sound. Our delightful tenant is very quiet, is often not here and does not have access to or use the rest of the house at all. (Please call the owner if you want more information on this).

Top Floor: This floor includes a very large, romantic master bedroom with high ceilings, 8 foot windows, a beautifully crafted ceiling fan, a gas fireplace, two comfortable chairs for reading, a king size four-poster bed with a Tempur-Pedic mattress fit for a king and queen. Off the bedroom is a comfortable office/work out area with a floor to ceiling mirror, while off to the other side is a balcony with a hot tub.

Roof Deck: A sturdy wooden slanted ship's ladder takes you to the roof garden with panoramic 360 degree views over the top of the other houseboats to a yacht harbor, panoramic views of Mt. Tamalpais, and Richardson Bay. Furnished with a dining table, two rain proof outdoor sofas, a very large umbrella, chairs, a gas barbecue, and potted plants.

Seize this unique opportunity to experience the adventure and romance of houseboat living at its very best! Very unique, elegant yet casual, fun, and definitely an unforgettable vacation.

Keywords: Floating home, houseboat, luxurious, historic,

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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Gym

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
Not suitable for very young children
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sausalito

Located in Sausalito, this houseboat is in the city centre and on the beach. Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Presidio of San Francisco and San Francisco Bay. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Oracle Park or Chase Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sausalito, CA

What's nearby

  • San Francisco Bay Model Visitor Center - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Golden Gate Bridge - 7 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Muir Woods National Monument - 12 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Marin Headlands - 14 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Alcatraz Island - 41 min drive - 21.6 km

Getting around

  • Richmond Transit Center - 21 min drive
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fish - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Oha Hawaiian BBQ - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Show De Carnes - ‬15 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Large, architecturally designed Floating Home - for a unique vacation! located?

Located in Sausalito, this beachfront houseboat is in the city centre and within 6 mi (10 km) of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Presidio of San Francisco and Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Mount Tamalpais State Park and Sweetwater Music Hall are also within 6 miles (10 km).

About the host

Hosted by Wilford Welch

Host profile image
Wilford is a former U.S. diplomat in China and the rest of East Asia during the Johnson and Nixon administrations, the author of several books, (the 2021 book entitled "In Our Hands - A Handbook for Intergenerational Actions to Solve the Climate Crisis" which is the primary text in the Presidio Graduate School's "Climate Essentials" program being taught to K-12 teachers throughout the United States. Wilford is the lead teacher in this program.

Carole's background is in anthropology. In 1991, she founded Cross Cultural Journeys, a successful travel company that takes clients to exotic international destinations where indigenous people continue to live in traditional ways. While there we explore the healing and belief systems of indigenous elders. We both have a lifetime of international travel and work behind and in front of us. Our home reflects our interests and adventures.

Why they chose this property

We enjoy living 'on the docks' in Sausalito. We moved here from Belvedere, CA. because we found the houseboat community filled with interesting, creative people with casual, unpretentious, active, lifestyles. Being only 20 minutes by car to the middle of San Francisco for cultural, educational and social activities, and less than an hour from Napa and Sonoma and the beautiful wine country, are all big pluses. Hiking is five minutes away and great restaurants are nearby. We feel we have the best of many worlds right here. We call our houseboat "Shangri-La" for one feels they are living in a different and very special world.

What makes this property unique

Ours is a home that is ideal for a couple (or two) who appreciate the finer things in life and would like to relax and entertain in style in one of the most unique houseboats in the world.

Languages:

English