The Floating Homes Virtual Gala and Tour begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased up to and even after that time.
During the evening, celebrity auctioneer Senator Mike McGuire will auction off five special stay-and-play packages:
Dinner with the Mayor. Sausalito Mayor Jill Hoffman will host a party of four for dinner at the Spinnaker on the Sausalito waterfront. Mayor Jill will serve wine from limited production wineries which are clients of her ecommerce company, Qorkz Wine. She’ll be happy to discuss her favorite city, her career in the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and her sailing experiences on San Francisco Bay and on a yearlong blue water sailing cruise she and her husband made in their 40-foot sailboat, AWOL, from Sausalito through the Panama Canal to Newport, Rhode Island.
Try a Little (Floating) Tenderness. A two-night stay for up to four people on a cozy, two–bedroom floating guest cottage in the picturesque Yellow Ferry Harbor. “A Little Tenderness” is named after the Otis Redding song that means a great deal to the owners.
The experience includes a guided walking tour of the floating homes community followed by a champagne and caviar tasting. The next day, take a tour of the nearby Bay Model in the heart of Sausalito’s historic Marinship district. Enjoy breakfast at the nearby Bayside Cafe one morning, and morning pastries the other day from local houseboat baker Sam Schwartz of his own Portside Bakery. You’ll also receive a DVD of the film “Last Free Ride,” which tells the story of the houseboat wars of the 1970s, donated by its star and legendary pirate bandleader, Joe Tate.
Deep Dive into Marin Headlands. Two couples can enjoy a two-night stay at world famous Cavallo Point Lodge, nestled in a wooded cove at the Northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, with breakfast included both days. Package includes a private guided tour of the nearby Marine Mammal Center, followed by lunch at the Sausalito Yacht Club hosted by your guide, Larry Clinton. Also included is copy of the film “Last Free Ride”.
Yellow Ferry Interlude. Three couples can kick back for two nights aboard the iconic Yellow Ferry, a 133-year-old paddle wheeler (originally named the City of Seattle) now berthed in beautiful Yellow Ferry Harbor. One night will include a gourmet dinner for six prepared by local chef extraordinaire Davey Jones, with wine from Rombauer. Enjoy breakfast at the nearby Bayside Cafe one day, and fresh pastries from Portside Bakery the next. And, you’ll take home a DVD of “Last Free Ride,” as well. If you’re lucky, star Joe Tate might be playing at the No Name Bar in downtown Sausalito.
Batter up! A two-night stay at Hotel VIA across the street from Oracle Park plus four Club Level seats to see the Phillies at the Giants at 1:05 p.m. on Father’s Day, June 20 (which is also “Hat Day”—with a Giants hat giveaway!) . VIA is a newly built, independent boutique hotel located across the street from the ballpark.
Only ticket holders can bid in the live auction, but there’s also a silent auction open to all. There’s no need to wait for the event tonight to bid; the silent auction is open now to everyone including people without tickets, right up until the 8:00 p.m. close of the Gala. Over 60 intriguing auction items are already attracting spirited bidding.
Your support of the Gala will benefit the Floating Homes Association, which has been unable to offer its traditional Open Homes tour during the pandemic, as well as three local nonprofits: Friends of the Marin City Library, Performing Stars of Marin, and the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.