Photos | © Diane Dias, Mike Moyle, Bobby Meneses

Welcome to the Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center

The IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center (formerly IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Hall) was established in Sausalito, California in 1888 as a focal point for Portuguese culture and traditions in Marin County. First and foremost is the Azorean tradition of the "Festa do Espírito Santo" (Festival of the Holy Ghost), which was brought to California by early immigrants from the Azores.

Marin County has a long history of Portuguese immigration, and the Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center remains a gathering place for descendants of those immigrants seeking to explore and re-connect with their rich Portuguese history, culture and roots. The Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center continues to serve its members, their families and future generations by preserving and promoting that Portuguese heritage into the 21st century.

The Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center sponsors fun and exciting events, many of which are intended for the entire family. In addition to the Holy Ghost Festa, the Center sponsors or promotes a monthly Sip & Savor informal social gathering, a Summer BBQ, the “Festa de Natal” (Christmas festival), Portuguese language lessons, and other cultural activities. Of course, no Portuguese event is complete without food and wine and the Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center is fortunate to have the dedication and Portuguese gourmand culinary explorations of Manuel Azevedo, the owner and Executive Chef of LaSalette, the renowned Portuguese Restaurant in Sonoma.

Explore our website. Come to our events, become a member, reconnect with your Portuguese heritage, discover new Portuguese resources in the North Bay, and learn more about the long history of the Portuguese presence in our region.

President's Message

Our organization was founded in 1888 by those who toiled the land in Marin County and surrounding areas using their hands, minds and souls to make their imagination a reality. The Hall, and now the Cultural Center, has witnessed thousands of members making their individual marks on IDESST ever since. 

My parents, my sister, and I were fortunate to immigrate from the Azores Island of São Jorge, when I was five years age to San Rafael, CA. The first social gathering we went to was the Sausalito IDESST Hall for the Holy Ghost Festa. I have participated in the festas ever since then, from carrying the Rosary, being one of the three children of Fatima, and carrying flags and statues, and now as a President.

We are so grateful to our forefathers for establishing this Portuguese custom that has lasted over 135 years. My goal is not as an individual, but as a team effort to continue the tradition well into the future. I hope to have the participation of as many of you as possible to help to make this year an enjoyable year. A year where we can attend a social venue and bring our Portuguese traditions alive.

— JOE MATOS, IDESST PRESIDENT

Photo | © Diane Dias

Our Mission 

• To preserve and promote Portuguese culture, both traditional and contemporary, and to build and maintain an awareness of the Portuguese community’s contributions to the life of Sausalito and Marin County.
• To provide educational, charitable and cultural activities consistent therewith;
• To provide a comfortable and relaxing social meeting place for IDESST members;
• To create and maintain an environment that is fun and rewarding for the IDESST Portuguese Cultural Center volunteers; and to do all of this while emphasizing quality over quantity.

Our Organizations

I.D.E.S.S.T. is an acronym for the name Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo e Santíssima Trindade, which translates as "Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit and Blessed Trinity." The IDESST was incorporated in 1904 and is an IRS 501(c)(7) non-profit organization.

Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.