Just 30 minutes outside of Lisbon, Cascais, like Sausalito, is also a major tourist hub but with a history that dates back to 1364. The Village of Cascais is small like Sausalito with approximately 7,000 residents. The municipality of Cascais is similar in size to Marin County with a population of 200,000+.

Like Sausalito, Cascais is a beautiful waterfront destination, also sharing a heritage of boat building and sailing. It too is bathed in Mediterranean ambiance with narrow streets steeped in history. For more information about Cascais: http://www.visitcascais.com/

The Cascais sister city program resonates well in our local community due to Sausalito’s remarkable Portuguese heritage. In 1900, it is estimated that a quarter of Sausalito’s residents were of Portuguese-American descent based on the wave of Portuguese immigrants who came to what is now Marin County as whalers, fisherman and farmers in the late 1800’s. No other ethnic group has had a longer or closer connection with Sausalito. The IDESST Portuguese Cultural Center on Caledonia Street is a tribute to the Azorean heritage in the town; not surprisingly, its members are also active in supporting the sister city program. For more information about Sausalito’s Portuguese history including directions for a Sausalito Portuguese Heritage Walking Tour visit www.idesst.org

Portuguese officials from FLAD (Foundation for Luso-American Development) met with Sausalito-Cascais Sister City representatives and civic leaders to learn more about their many efforts to promote Portuguese art and culture which FLAD supports throughout the U.S. Pictured left to right: Jim Meyer & Cheryl Popp (Cascias Sister City co-chairs), Dr. Vasco Rato, (President of FLAD), 2015 Sausalito Mayor Tom Theodores, Miguel Luz (FLAD Director), & Vasco Morais (Cascais Sister City Committee). PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Moyle