The Hostelz.com Review
It's located in Fort Mason, which is on the north edge of the city, next to the bay. It's a little ways from the middle of downtown (10-15 by bus), but it's a 5-10 minute walk to the Fisherman's Wharf and the piers. A big advantage of the location if you have a car is that it's the only hostel in the city that offers free parking. At any other hostel in the city you would need to either pay for an expensive parking garage or park out in the avenues and take a bus back to your hostel.
It's a large HI hostel. The rooms are various sizes, so the number of people staying in your dorm room will vary depending on which room you get. As with most large HI hostels, people keep to themselves a little more than at smaller hostels, so you may or may not meet a lot of social people. There are several common areas, including a large sitting area upstairs with couches and internet computers (charging a fee). Downstairs is a very large dining area and kitchen. By the reception the walls are covered in information about the bay area and it's a great place to get information about the city. There may also be a volunteer to answer questions at the information table in the mornings.
It's a large HI hostel. The rooms are various sizes, so the number of people staying in your dorm room will vary depending on which room you get. As with most large HI hostels, people keep to themselves a little more than at smaller hostels, so you may or may not meet a lot of social people. There are several common areas, including a large sitting area upstairs with couches and internet computers (charging a fee). Downstairs is a very large dining area and kitchen. By the reception the walls are covered in information about the bay area and it's a great place to get information about the city. There may also be a volunteer to answer questions at the information table in the mornings.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
Their Description
HI - San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf Hostel Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is HI - San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf Hostel rated on other websites?
HI - San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Ok but too many rules Cons: So many rules. 30+ people in a dorm room. That is too many people. Little girls and old dudes all together. This is not specifically geared towards young travelers (which is what I was looking for) but tends to attract lots of quiet slightly weird older people who like to go to sleep at 9pm. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Anyways, the kitchen closes at 1130. If you want to eat the food that you bought you are out of luck. They cut my lock because it was dark and I put my bag in the wrong underbed storage. My underbed storage was free for the other person to use, but remained unused. Then they made me buy a new lock. The guy insisted on following me into the luggage storage room and waiting there until I finished. I took an extra long time out of spite. But he stayed there the whole time. They were prickly. They insist that you bring your receipt with you when you return late at night and there are big problems if you forget it. It is in the middle of nowhere! And if you go "into the city" you face an unbelievably long trek home. I felt that i was being stifled at every turn by small minded people who needed to follow their long list of rules just so they could cling to them as a life raft. And I'm not some whacked out hippy who just needs to be free. That being said, Pros are the views of the bay are amazing. (out the back and down the hill.) it's nice and quiet. there are no neighbours and it is completely free of city noise. it's in nature and sh*t. Close to the park. I did meet a cute girlie who was very fun to smooch. — Anonymous , Canada (2010-09-14) Eh... Beautiful location though it is difficult to get to the rest of the city. Since it is so big, it doesn't have that hostel feel. No one talks to each other. I wouldn't recommend it to any of my traveler friends, but I suppose some people are into that kind of thing. — Christy , Colorado, USA (2010-02-21) Excellent area, clean, comfortable, helpful staff I only stayed at this hostel for 1 night but I had a great time. Fisherman's Wharf hostel had a great view of the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz, was relaxing and was only a short bus trip to the city centre. The rooms were clean and had a locker under the bed where you could store bags (bring your own lock). The bathrooms always felt like they had been freshly cleaned. There is a nice complimentary breakfast. The hostel also offers tours of the city which I didn't do but they looked good. I would recommend all HI hostels to anybody. — Liz , Australia (2010-01-16) Funky. I stayed here in 2006, for a full week. It was my first time in a hostel and I didn't know what to expect. The location was excellent and the vibe was great. When I arrived it was late but there was staff on hand and they were friendly and helpful. Watch out for the family of skunks that lived underneath it. The rooms were standard hostel fare, it was clearly a shorter stay hostel so there were people coming and going all week which was fine. I did find that the people in this hostel were prone to turning on the lights at all hours of the night. The restaurant was really good, healthy food at a really reasonable price. There was internet and a big kitchen (that I didn't use). I would totally stay here again. — Jeremey , Canada (2009-07-07) Perfect location! I stayed here about seven years ago, and this was my first experience with staying in a hostel. I've been hooked ever since, even took a year off to travel via hostels/backpackers. This hostel was clean, friendly enough staff, and you go here for the location. It is five minutes away from Fisherman's Wharf. Great kitchen area and breakfast! I am looking forward to getting back there someday! Met some real interesting characters on the tours -- lots of fun! — Duffy , USA (2009-06-15) I stayed there for six days (maximum allowed) in late Feb '09 and had a pleasant experience. The room, bathroom, and kitchen were clean. This place is near the edge of the waterfront with a nice back view to Golden Gate Bridge and walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf. The staff was friendly and helpful. The bed sheets were thin, but with the heat on, I had no complaint. From the airport, you have to take the BART, and then a city bus. Lugging your suitcase through the narrow bus corridor is the biggest hassle. — Tom , U.S. (2009-05-27) Beautiful Location! This hostel is set back from the street overlooking the water -- really beautiful, safe and quiet location in a quirky old building. The staff was friendly and very helpful. If you are looking for a party hostel in the city center this is not the hostel for you. I had a view of the water from my room and I would stay here again. I also met some great people there. The beds are not that comfortable and the accommodations are basic but it's a hostel. Although, this hostel is not in the center I still found it very easy to get around. SF has a great bus system. Also, if you have a car they have free parking! — RS , USA (2008-08-25) Watch Out I stayed here with my husband and we think we got bedbug bites. Just make sure you check the bed really well before sleeping. — Sheri , US (2008-06-20) Really really quiet. Library quiet! The bathroom was ok. Not very private but clean. The kitchen is massive which is great. They have a free breakfast and it's also great. This place was just so quiet (no social atmosphere at all). Good value and the staff were friendly enough. — Lydia , New Zealand (2007-05-22) My friend and I stayed here for one night. We had stayed at another hostel (both good overall) but that one was full one night of our trip. The staff were helpful, not overly friendly. The atmosphere is very relaxed and nothing sketchy at all about the location. Very convienient to Golden Gate Park/Bridge area. Not too close to Chinatown area however. Bathroom pretty clean and rooms as well. Beds aren't that comfortable but to be expected. The experience was much like staying in a co-ed dorm. I would definitely stay here again! — Jen (2007-02-20) I stayed at this hostel for five nights in August of this year. no complaints to be made really, I found the staff helpful and friendly and the location is absolutely beautiful. just a few steps out of the hostel and you can see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge!! There is also a nice cafe where you can buy snacks but a free breakfast is also provided (bagel or waffles with tea/coffee plus orange juice) and also a big kitchen downstairs if you prefer to do your own cooking. The only (minor) complaint I would have would be the beds. the ones we slept on were quite uncomfortable and the mattresses seemed to be made of some kind of plastic. Also, if you prefer a party atmosphere then this may not be the hostel for you. there seemed to be quite a few families staying there when I was there. However the area where it is situated is much nicer (and safer!) than downtown! — greenvelvet (2006-10-10) Horrible experience I could not get proper direction on how to get there. it turn out FT Mason is not a street! I was driving for two hours and the stupid looser at the front desk that answer my four phone calls could not make sure I get the right direction from downtown san francisco. At the end when a tourist in the street told me that ft mason was not a street I had enough because that was something the person at the hostel should have told me but it did not. Do not go here find a closer to downtown hostel this hostel is far away and cold! — Eduardo Orantes (2006-08-12) No major complaints. The parking lot and bus stops are a little far from the actual hostel. But the hostel itself is clean, friendly, and has helpful staff. Beautifully located and peacefully quiet. Met some people staying at the downtown HI, they said it was nice but noisy. Great views of the San Francisco beautiful housing, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, etc. Love the free wireless, breakfast is standard, watch out for the cat -- he's friendly but meows a lot at night! Dorms have lots of bed with lockers under the beds (great space saving technique). So much to do in and around San Francisco. If you have the chance take a wine-tasting tour in Napa Valley, hike Yosemite Park or Muir Woods, Lumbard St, Golden Gate, trolley ride, shopping, Pier Thirty-nine, so much, so little time! — Canadian traveler (2006-07-21) Stayed here four nights in early May, 2006. Could not find anything to complain about here (other than some guests may complain about me -- I'm one of those snorers.) Excellent location and the free parking, although some distance from the building, was convenient and safe. Beautiful location and the cafe was good for breakfast. This speaks well for Hostelling International, which I notice has dropped turkeys like that one in New Orleans. — Eric (2006-05-29) Fantastic hostel! The location is awesome! Walk outside and see the Golden Gate, fifteen minute walk along the bay to Fisherman's Wharf and a cable car into the city centre. The rooms are very clean and neat. Great free lockers (provide own lock) under bed with heaps of room. Free wireless internet. Clean and friendly common area. Breakfast is a croissant/two waffles and juice/tea/coffee in small onsite cafe. Bathrooms are reasonable, staff are very friendly. Secure luggage storage until check in is available. Must remember to keep your booking reservation on you because they check every time you enter.
Grab a shuttle bus from the airport for a great drive into the hostel (it's reasonably cheap and convenient). I would definitely stay here again when in San Francisco. — Paul (2006-05-27)