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Home | A Visit to Sausalito's Bay Model

A Visit to Sausalito's Bay Model

The Bay Model in SausalitoI grew up in Marin, but for some reason never visited the Bay Model in Sausalito until last Thursday. With their grand re-opening taking place this week, and with the kids having mid-winter break, I thought it would be a great time to check it out. It's also free to the public, so it's an inexpensive place for a fun and educational family outing. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but as it turns out we all really enjoyed our visit—it's definitely one of Marin's hidden treasures.

The Bay Model has been a Sausalito fixture since the 1950s, when it was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers to allow scientists and researchers to study how water flows through San Francisco Bay and the Delta. The Bay Model has functioned solely as an educational facility since 2000, and visitors can marvel at the giant model itself, which is the size of two football fields, learn about the local ecosystem, and explore the history of the World War II-era Marinship shipyard that was once on the site.

The Bay Model has just undergone $15.5 million dollars worth of renovations and improvements, including a new roof with 2,500 solar panels, seismic retrofitting, and upgrades to the visitor center. They'll be holding a grand re-opening celebration today, Saturday, February 25, from 11 am to 4 pm.

The Bay Model in SausalitoThe Bay Model in Sausalito

When you first enter the Bay Model, you'll see a short introductory video that introduces you to the waterways of San Francisco Bay and the history and purpose of the model. As you stroll through the two-acre building, you'll find interactive educational exhibits and interpretive murals that help explain what you're seeing.

The Bay Model in SausalitoThe Bay Model in Sausalito

The model itself is not a 100% accurate scale model of the area, but is specially designed to help in the study of local waterways. The Bay Model has been used to simulate tides, currents, the mixing of fresh and salt water, and the effects of pollution on the Bay, among other things.

The Bay Model in Sausalito Marinship ExhibitThe Bay Model in Sausalito Marinship Exhibit

My kids, especially my eight-year-old son, found the exhibits fascinating. The Bay Model probably won't hold the attention of younger children, but those in kindergarten and above will enjoy it. The Marinship exhibit is another part of the Bay Model Visitor Center that we found really interesting. It's a well done exhibit that chronicles the history of Marinship, the Sausalito shipyard that produced 93 Liberty ships and tankers from 1942 to 1945.

You'll also find aquarium tanks with local fish and sea life like perch, trout, crabs, and sea stars in the lobby area. Kids can help rangers feed the fish during the Fish Feeding Frenzy (check their website for dates and times). There's a small gift shop in the visitor center, run by the Friends of the Bay Model, that sells books, maps, posters, postcards, and toys.

The Bay Model in SausalitoThe Bay Model in Sausalito

If You Go

Admission to the Bay Model is free. Winter hours (Labor Day through Memorial Day) are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm; closed Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm; closed Mondays and some holidays—it's open on Memorial Day and Labor Day but closed July 4. Guided tours, lectures, and other programs are offered frequently; check their website for a complete schedule.

The Bay Model is located at 2100 Bridgeway in Sausalito. To get there, take the Marin City/Sausalito exit off Highway 101 and follow Bridgeway south. Turn left of Harbor Drive, then take an immediate right onto Marinship Way and follow the signs to the Bay Model. Parking is free.

The Bay Model in SausalitoThe Bay Model in Sausalito

There's no food available on-site, but you can bring a picnic and eat bayside on the many picnic tables in front of the Bay Model building.

For more information, call (415) 332-3871 or visit www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc.