Sausalito Visitor Center and Historical Society aka Ice House

Sausalito is a given a proper introduction at its visitor center. This holds a gift shop, a rack of flyers and a history museum all under the same medium-​sized roof. That history museum provides a rich feel of this city’s history.
Going here was beautiful. As I read the captions, it was easy to move from time period onto a later time period. Things such as the role of Sausalito in bootlegging during Prohibition and building ships in World War II were discussed. That maritime feeling was intriguingly dramatized with a set of sand bordering some dishes. Later on, I was able to extinguish my misdirection in getting to the bay model using a free brochure.
This Sausalito Visitor Center is an interesting museum.

I’m really impressed with how great the Sausalito Historical Society is. I grew up in Mill Valley, and just decided to start exploring Marin County for fun, starting south and working my way north. I went to the Ice House when I started exploring Sausalito, and I was amazed at the museum inside that tiny building. It’s a beautiful display, with so much interesting and well-​researched information, and gorgeous photos and artifacts. The docents on duty both times I went were extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to.
Then, as I continued to explore Sausalito, I ran into the Historical Society in other places — the display at the library (their headquarters I guess?), their amazing display on the history of Marinship at the Bay Model Visitor Center, their involvement with different publications and videos I’ve run across, and their volunteer docents doing things like offering tours and boat rides at Spaulding Wooden Boat Works. Very impressive. I hope every town and city in Marin has a group this dedicated.

Would you ever believe that there’s a property in Sausalito where a year’s lease is only $ 1?! I kid you not! Sausalito Visitor Center and Historical Society won the $ 1 lease that the city offered to a local program years ago.
You might as well call that free rent! And the house was portable as well! It was moved to its current location in the middle of the night. Now if only my house and my mortgage is like that of Ice Box’s I’ll be moving around every couple of years to South of France, Indonesia, Iceland… You name it!
However that visitor center also known as the «Ice House» is being put to good use. In fact, it gets about 30,000 visitors a year – some looking for luncheon recommendations (like me and BF), others for directions to Muir Woods, and others seeking parking meter change!
So, why is it called the «Ice House»? Maybe because in the 1920’s it was used to serve ice to the locals.
Just come and visit when you are in Sausalito. It’s a tiny little place packed with history. And it’s free!
Many visitors are fascinated by portraits and short biographies of local literary figures including Jack London. I was drawn to the old-​fashioned cash register, obsidians found in the area and the rusty pistol.
Besides the historical exhibits, visitors can purchase books, cards, CDs, DVDs, maps, guides and other San Francisco Bay Area souvenirs.
The Ice House is open to the public every day except Sunday from 11:30 am — 4 pm. For information, call 415−332−0505.