Mayor Melissa Blaustein was elected to her first four-year term on the Sausalito City Council in November of 2020 and became mayor this year.
What do you do?
Mayor of Sausalito.
Where do you live?
In Old Town Sausalito, right along the boardwalk, which is fantastic because I can swim from my backyard.
How long have you lived in Marin?
Born and raised here, 34 years and counting.
Where can we find you when not at work?
Hanging out at the Township in Sausalito, hitting our gorgeous trails to go for a run with my chocolate lab Bowie. Swimming in the Bay in front of my house. Lifting in class at Crossfit Sausalito. Eating pasta at Angelino or a pizza at the bar at Sandrino. I’m also frequently sighted at open mic night at the No Name Bar or taking in the live jazz at Osteria Divino.
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin was, where would you take them?
Wake up early enough to catch the sunrise from the beach at the Sausalito Boardwalk. Grab an oat latte at Firehouse Coffee and an almond croissant as fuel at Cibo Pastry Bar. Drive to Mill Valley’s Old Mill Park to run a Double Dipsea (Type Two fun). Post run, hit the Junction for a pizza. Clean up and cozy up in the big booths at the Buckeye for a cold martini. Do dinner at Cavallo Point and finish just in time for the live band playing at Presidio Yacht Club across the way.
What is one thing Marin is missing?
Growing up here, I remember how hard it was to find fun activities in high school, especially on the weekends. I’d love to see more programming geared towards teens and middle school kids.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
Stop what you’re doing at least once a day, look around and be present enough to appreciate how lucky we all are to live in a place this beautiful.
If you could invite anyone to a special dinner, who would they be?
Madeleine Albright. Golda Meir. Angela Merkel.
What is some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
The people who are bullying you today will be telling someone all about how well they used to know you in 20 years. Don’t let the people who are against you get you down.
What is something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
TikTok, sushi burritos, middle hair parts and skinny jeans.
Big question. What is one thing you’d do to change the world?
I’d create a housing paradigm that would allow a lot more people to own a home and live in communities with world-class schools, regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic backgrounds.
Keep up with Blaustein at @sausalitomayormelissa on Instagram.
Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp, serves on the San Anselmo Arts Commission and attempts to play pickleball at Fairfax’s Cañon Club.
