Sausalito is an extremely popular tourist attraction as part of the San Francisco Bay Area experience. The hillside homes and lovely waterfront with a marina seem so inviting. Yet they are out of reach for average visitors who can't afford even the rental prices when such is available on homes.
That said, Sausalito is worth a visit and with the opening of Cavallo Point, provides better options in the limited accommodations. With art festivals, events, and great views of San Francisco a boat ride or car drive away, you definitely need to put Sausalito on your list of places to see when visiting San Francisco.