Traffic on the Fourth of July

The Sausalito Police Department, in coordination with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, is advising all visitors, residents, and motorists to plan ahead for significant traffic impacts throughout the City of Sausalito and the US-101 corridor on July 4, 2026.

This year’s Independence Day marks the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, and Sausalito is proud to be part of this historic national celebration. We warmly welcome visitors to our community and encourage everyone to come, stay a while, and enjoy the festivities. We ask only that all visitors and motorists plan carefully and arrive prepared for the possibility of extended traffic delays. Follow Caltrans for info and roadway conditions. https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.

What to expect: Events and Impacts:

• 10:00 am: Sausalito Independence Day Parade 
  • TRAFFIC IMPACT: Bridgeway, Caledonia St., and downtown closed to vehicles. Delays for all incoming traffic from 10:00 am until approximately 1:00 pm.
• All day: Dunphy Park Picnic and Festivities 
  • TRAFFIC IMPACT: Heavy pedestrian traffic. Parking will be at capacity throughout downtown and the waterfront from mid-morning.
• Approximately 9:00 pm: Sausalito Fireworks Gabrielson Park/Spinnaker Point
  •  TRAFFIC IMPACT: Fireworks display off the Sausalito Spinnaker Point. All surrounding viewpoints will attract large crowds. Heavy congestion throughout the evening.
• Approximately 9:30 pm: 15 minute Golden Gate Bridge Fireworks Display 
  •  TRAFFIC IMPACT: Second fireworks display on Golden Gate Bridge. Dual events create two major crowd concentrations in close proximity.
• Approximately 9:00 to 10:00 pm: US-101 / GGB CLOSURE
  •   TRAFFIC IMPACT: S/B 101 CLOSED at Spencer Ave. All traffic re-routed back to N/B 101 from Spencer Ave. NO bridge access through Sausalito. N/B 101 remains open. Gradual reopening, expect delays until after 10 pm.

View the full press release on the Police Department's website. 

 Parking on the Fourth of July

The City of Sausalito is preparing for what is expected to be its busiest Fourth of July in at least a decade. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to gather throughout the day to enjoy the parade, waterfront, local restaurants and shops, and evening fireworks.

Fourth of July consistently generates parking demand that exceeds the available parking supply in Sausalito’s downtown core. This year, demand is expected to be even higher due to the nation’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the fireworks display on the Golden Gate Bridge, and the temporary closure of the bridge to vehicle traffic, all of which are expected to increase visitor activity throughout the region.

To help manage extremely high parking demand and limited parking availability in the downtown area, special holiday dynamic parking rates will be in effect on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at designated municipal parking lots.

July 4th Special Event Dynamic Parking Rates

•  Municipal Lots 1 & 2 (Downtown Waterfront): $50 flat rate
• Sausalito Yacht Harbor (SYH) Public Parking Lot: $50 flat rate
• Municipal Lots 3 & 4: $35 flat rate

These rates apply only on the Fourth of July and only to the municipal parking lots listed above.

There will be no Changes to Street Parking or Permit Programs. Hourly rates at on-street parking meters will remain unchanged and continue to operate under the normal seasonal parking rate schedule.

In addition, the special event rates will not affect residents using their Resident Parking Benefit Program PIN code or approved commuter parking programs at participating locations.

Alternative Parking Options Available:

• Visitors looking for lower-cost or free parking options are encouraged to park on streets north of Napa Street, where parking restrictions are generally less stringent and additional parking may be available.

Why Dynamic Pricing? The Fourth of July consistently generates parking demand that exceeds the available parking supply in Sausalito's downtown core. This year's celebration is expected to bring even greater visitation and regional traffic impacts associated with the Golden Gate Bridge closure.

Special event pricing is a parking management tool used to help balance demand for the most convenient parking spaces while encouraging use of alternative parking locations throughout the city.

The City's goal is to maximize parking availability, reduce congestion caused by vehicles circulating in search of parking, and ensure visitors have a variety of parking options available during one of the year's busiest holidays.

The special event parking rates will be in effect on the Fourth of July only. All municipal parking lots will return to their normal seasonal parking rates on July 5.