The Spinnaker: A Piquant Pelican Pod Port - San Francisco Bay Times

"“The Spinnaker (for over 61 years) has been a dining destination for generations of locals and visitors alike. An iconic restaurant perched on piers over the San Francisco Bay on the Sausalito waterfront, it all started in 1960 when Bill McDonnell and CaliforniaState Senator Gene McAteer built the Spinnaker on a spit of land in Sausalito called Shell Beach. The beach was so called because oyster shells from all the local restaurants were deposited there. The Spinnaker is one of the rare family-owned and operated restaurants in the Bay Area. Bill's son Tim McDonnell is at the helm with Jeff Scharosch, a partner and the general manager who has been with the company for 27+ years.”"

"“First off, there's free parking and free valet parking right out the restaurant's doorstep. Now, that's a plus! Then, when you walk through the doors of this seaside eatery, you are warmly greeted by the host, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the sweeping floor-to-ceiling views.”"

"“Well, buoys and gulls (pardon the pun!), I'm hear to tell you: The Spinnaker is the real deal. I'm calling it a "piquant pelican pod port," because of the pelicans circling the restaurant and its protected rooftop. More on that (and the food) later.”"

The Spinnaker is a long-running, family-owned restaurant on piers over San Francisco Bay in Sausalito. It began in 1960 when Bill McDonnell and California State Senator Gene McAteer built the restaurant on a spit of land called Shell Beach, named for oyster shells deposited there from local restaurants. The restaurant provides free parking and free valet parking at the doorstep. Guests are greeted warmly by the host, and the dining experience centers on sweeping floor-to-ceiling views. The setting places diners literally perched on a pier with pelicans circling the restaurant and a protected rooftop.

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