Things to Do in Sal
50 curated spots from Sal itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
White Tower of Thessaloniki
Climb the spiral ramps of the city’s symbol for exhibits and panoramic views over the harbor and city; there’s some shade and trees around the base.
1h · $6-8
Muir Woods National Monument
Take a shuttle or tour from Sausalito up into the redwood forest, then walk the main boardwalk loop and, if you feel like it, the slightly more secluded side trails among towering trees and ferns.
3h · $15 entrance + transport
Patwon Ki Haveli
Explore this cluster of ornate havelis with intricately carved sandstone facades, inner courtyards, and small museum-style rooms showing period furniture and artifacts.
1h 30m · $2-4 entry
Bay Model Visitor Center
Interactive exhibit on SF Bay ecology, quick and air-conditioned.
1h · Free
Gadisar Lake
Take an easy lakeside walk at sunset, watch birds, and enjoy the temple and ghats reflections.
1h · Free
Salim Singh Ki Haveli
See the famous curved roofline and carved balconies; do this as part of the same haveli walk as other nearby sights.
45m · $1-4
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Explore well-presented ancient Macedonian artifacts, gold treasures and interactive displays; there’s space to move, some courtyard areas, and enough visuals to keep children interested.
1h 30m · $6-10
Bada Bagh
Visit the cenotaphs for a quieter, more open desert-framed heritage scene, ideally in late afternoon for softer light.
1h 30m · $2-6 per person
Jain Temples inside Jaisalmer Fort
Step into the cluster of exquisitely carved Jain temples inside the fort; observe the intricate marble and sandstone work and follow the modest dress requirements.
1h · $1-4 (combined ticket/donation)
Jaisalmer Fort
Wander the living fort lanes, small temples, viewpoints, and sandstone passages at a relaxed pace; keep the visit focused on a few key viewpoints rather than trying to see everything.
2h 30m · Free or small entry fees for select sites
Mount of Olives Viewpoint
Start with panoramic views over the Old City, Dome of the Rock, and surrounding hills from the main lookout near the Seven Arches Hotel; take family photos and point out landmarks before heading down.
1h · Free (taxi up the hill extra)
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Right next door to the Archaeological Museum; view mosaics, icons, and everyday objects from Byzantine times in a peaceful, modern building.
1h 30m · $8-10
Vlatadon Monastery
Visit this serene monastery with gardens, tall trees, and shaded paths plus a balcony overlooking the city and sea; modest dress is appreciated.
1h · Free or small donation
Aristotelous Square & Surrounding Streets
Wander the grand square down to the sea, then duck into side streets filled with shops and cafés; use this as a free-explore block to get oriented.
2h · Free
Bada Bagh Cenotaphs
On your way back from Sam, stop at Bada Bagh to wander among the stone cenotaphs surrounded by sparse greenery and desert hills. The domed chhatris make dramatic photos and feel like a slightly wild, abandoned royal garden.
1h · $2-4 per person
Bay Area Discovery Museum
Indoor-outdoor children’s museum with hands-on science exhibits, art spaces like the paint-splash room, obstacle courses, and play areas set against a backdrop of greenery and bridge views.
2h 30m · $20-30 per person
Church of Saint Demetrios
Visit the city’s patron saint church with its crypt and quiet courtyards; dress modestly and move respectfully through the space.
1h · Free
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Visit the labyrinthine church marking the traditional sites of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb; explore side chapels, dim staircases, and incense-filled corners.
1h 30m · Free
Downtown Sausalito Galleries & Boutiques
Pop in and out of small art galleries, craft shops, and design boutiques along Bridgeway and its side streets, looking for nature-themed prints, ceramics, and local photography.
1h · Free to browse
Mahane Yehuda Market (Daytime)
Browse colorful produce, spice, and pastry stalls; walk the side streets of Nachlaot with shaded, vine-covered alleys and small synagogues.
2h · Free (plus food and shopping)
Nachlaot Neighborhood Free Explore
Lose yourselves in the narrow lanes, stone houses, small courtyards, and unexpected trees and flower pots; simply wander without a fixed route.
2h · Free
Nathmal Ki Haveli
Compare the delicate carvings and asymmetrical details with the larger Patwon complex nearby.
45m · $1-4
Nea Paralia Waterfront Promenade
Walk or rent bikes along the tree-lined promenade featuring themed pocket parks (Gardens of Sand, Water, and Mediterranean), playgrounds, and grassy patches where kids can run under the trees right by the sea.
1h 30m · Free (bike rental ~$5-8 per hour)
Sausalito Boardwalk
Wooden boardwalk stretching along the bay with benches and open views back toward San Francisco and Alcatraz.[7]
1h · Free
Sausalito Ferry Landing
Visit the ferry terminal area for skyline views, photos of the bay, and the option to take the Golden Gate Ferry to or from San Francisco.
1h · $15-20 roundtrip ferry (if riding)
Sausalito Waterfront Promenade
Walk along Bridgeway by the water, watch boats, spot sea lions if you’re lucky, and take classic photos of San Francisco’s skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge across the bay.
1h 30m · Free
Sausalito Waterfront Promenade Walk
Start at the ferry terminal and wander along Bridgeway’s bayside path, watching boats, sea birds, and the San Francisco skyline across the water; duck into small parks and piers for photos.
1h 30m · Free
Temple Square
Explore the grounds, admire the Salt Lake Temple exterior, visit the Conference Center and Tabernacle, and learn about the city’s Latter-day Saint pioneer roots; check for free tours or organ recitals.[1][3]
1h 30m · Free
Trigonion Tower & City Walls
Walk along the old Byzantine walls around Trigonion Tower for sweeping views over the bay; kids can imagine the old fortress while you enjoy the breeze.
1h · Free
Western Wall Plaza
Walk down from Jaffa Gate through the Armenian/Jewish Quarters to the Western Wall, observing the separation between men’s and women’s prayer sections and the small plaza trees.
1h · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Avatar's Restaurant
Family-run Indian-Mexican spot with lots of vegetarian and seafood options; ask for fully vegetarian, no alcohol in preparation. Halal-friendly orders: vegetarian curries, Punjabi enchiladas, dal, rice plates, and salads (verify no meat stock).
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Avatar’s Restaurant
Quirky Indian-Mexican fusion spot; order vegetarian Punjabi-style curries, veggie enchiladas, and channa dishes, clearly specify you need halal-friendly food (no pork, no alcohol, no meat stock), and ask which vegetarian items are cooked separately from meat.
1h · $20-30 per person
Azzahra Restaurant
Garden-like courtyard with trees and vines; order the halal Palestinian-style lamb dishes, grilled chicken, vegetarian pastas, and mezze (confirm halal meat, they are known for it).
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Poggio Trattoria
Northern Italian classics; share meatballs, prosciutto starters, and daily pastas.
1h 30m · $70-120 per person
Taste of Rome
Relaxed café on Bridgeway with outdoor seating; go for vegetarian pizzas (no pepperoni or sausage), simple pasta with tomato or pesto sauce, salads, and coffee/juices—confirm no meat stock in sauces and avoid dishes cooked with wine.
1h 15m · $18-28 per person
Abu Shukri
Classic, very casual hummus and falafel spot in a narrow lane near Via Dolorosa. Halal options: hummus, falafel, ful (fava beans), salads, fries, pita—all vegetarian and commonly enjoyed by Muslim travelers; no alcohol served.
1h · $8-15 per person
Desert Boy's Dhani
Book a vegetarian desert dinner with dal, paneer, roti, salad, and sweets; halal-safe through explicit vegetarian ordering and no non-halal meat selection.
1h 30m · $15-30 per person
Driver’s Market & Deli
Organic market with a deli counter and prepared foods, a short walk from the main waterfront. For halal: build your own vegetarian sandwiches or salads, choose plant-based soups, and pick up snacks; double-check any cheese or dressings for hidden animal-derived ingredients or alcohol.
30m · $15-22 per person
Jaffar Sweets
Iconic Arab sweet shop inside Damascus Gate; grab kunafa, baklava, and strong Arabic coffee to start the day. All sweets here are traditionally made without alcohol or pork; stick to the cheese kunafa, pistachio baklava, and walnut ma’amoul for a safe halal-friendly, dessert-style breakfast.
30m · $5-10 per person
Kuku Coffee Shop
Order tea, coffee, toast, eggs-free vegetarian breakfast plates, and fruit; halal-safe through vegetarian ordering.
45m · $4-10 per person
Shahi Palace Rooftop Restaurant
Order vegetarian curries, dal, roti, and rice; halal-safe through vegetarian ordering, with the bonus of a rooftop view.
1h 15m · $10-22 per person
The Spinnaker
Upscale bayfront dining with seafood towers, steak, and pasta; sunset terrace views of the bridge.
2h · $70-140 per person
The Trio Restaurant
Order a vegetarian breakfast and ask for clearly halal-friendly options such as plain paratha, aloo paratha, poha, paneer dishes, or tea; the setting is a reliable pre-sightseeing stop near the fort approach.
1h · $6-12 per person
Abu Shukri (Old City)
Classic no-frills hummus and falafel institution in a vaulted stone room; order hummus with warm chickpeas, falafel, and Arabic salad. All food is prepared to halal standards (no alcohol or pork; widely known as a Muslim-run spot).
1h · $10-15 per person
Angelino Restaurant
Bayfront Italian spot; for halal, choose vegetarian pizzas (like margherita or veggie), pasta with tomato or pesto sauces, and seafood dishes such as grilled fish or seafood pasta—ask to avoid wine in sauces and any pork products.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Arafat Hummus & Falafel
Simple, always-busy hummus and falafel spot in a tight lane near the Damascus Gate side of the Muslim Quarter. Halal options: hummus plates, falafel, foul (fava beans), salads, fresh pita—no alcohol, and staff are used to Muslim guests.
45m · $6-10 per person
Azura
Legendary home‑style place in the market; focus on vegetarian dishes like hummus, beans, rice, and vegetable stews to stay comfortably halal, and confirm meat dishes are not needed.
1h · $20-25 per person
Bar Bocce
Casual bayside spot with a fire pit, bocce court, and excellent thin-crust pizzas; order a margherita or prosciutto pizza and a craft beer or spritz.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Barrel House Tavern
Casual tavern; go for flatbreads and local brews.
1h 30m · $35-50 per person
Falafel Brothers Thessaloniki
Casual spot specializing in falafel and vegetarian wraps; order a falafel wrap, hummus plate, or salad and confirm no alcohol or pork products are used in your dish.
45m · $8-15 per person