
Built in 1869 as Sausalito's first commercial building, The Gables Inn has a long and varied history that is still tangible today. The restored 19th-century structure sits on Princess Street, a quiet, tree-lined side street set just back from the main thoroughfare of Bridgeway. It’s tucked within a grove of Buckeye trees, on a site that was once a public picnic ground known as Damon's Hall. Over the decades, this building has served as the town hall, a temporary hospital during the 1919 influenza outbreak, and a Christian Science church before being returned to its original function as an inn in 1995. This layered past is reflected in the accommodations, which are anything but uniform. Inside, you’ll find a collection of individually appointed spaces, from standard guest rooms to larger, apartment-style units and separate cottages. The layouts are all different, with some rooms featuring wood floors and updated bathrooms with oversized tubs. Many have their own distinct features – some come with fireplaces and eco-friendly logs, others have private balconies or patios, and a few include full kitchens and separate bedrooms suitable for families. The rooms facing the water are particularly sought after for their direct views of the San Francisco Bay, with clear sightlines to Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge. The inn's position, just steps from the ferry terminal and waterfront, is key to how a stay here works. The common routine is to park the car upon arrival and explore the entire downtown area on foot. On-site parking is available, but the lot is tight, so if it's full, the inn provides a pass that works at other nearby lots.