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San Francisco Hostels

This is a complete list of all known hostels in San Francisco. If you know of a San Francisco hostel that isn't listed here, please use the "Add a New Hostel" link at the bottom of the page.
(North Beach)
86%  "This is a hostel that is perfectly suited for San Francisco. It has a strong young/bohemian vibe. There are a few cracks in the ceiling and the paint isn't fresh, but if you're looking for a sterile environment this isn't the right place for you anyway. There is a very large common room...
(Union Square)
86%  "USA Hostels San Francisco is conveniently located four blocks up on Post Street from Union Square. When arriving at SFO international airport, you may use the BART to Powell Street -- go up Powell to Post and walk four blocks up. The hostel is on the left hand side. Otherwise door-to-door...
(The Tenderloin)
83%  "San Francisco City Center Hostel is the newest of three Hostelling International hostels located in San Francisco. Easily accessible by public transport, its location is ideal for exploring all that this city has to offer. The building itself is smart and clean. Facilities available include a...
(Union Square)
82%  "It is fair to say that Adelaide Hostel offers something unique to a first-time traveler to San Francisco -- a safe haven from all the madness around! Tucked away centrally in a quite alleyway, it is the perfect resort to go back to when the City by the Bay is a little too much to take. The...
(Union Square)
82%  "We checked in to HI - San Francisco, Downtown Hostel twice during a short stay at San Francisco and at both times, we were very satisfied with the condition of the rooms we got. The hostel is very centrally located, one block behind the Union Square and can be easily found. Around the hostel...
(Fort Mason)
82%  "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...
(Chinatown)
81%  "This is a favorite hostel of many people. The hostel itself isn't anything special, but it always seems to attract a young, fun crowd and it's a great place to meet other young backpackers. It's a little known fact that the owner of this hostel was the creator of the original Hostels.com...
(Union Square)
76%  "Globetrotters Inn is located in a good central location of San Francisco but is in the Tenderloin area, which is the place where homeless people hang out. It is full of young international travelers who are engaged in active sports activities. The staff are friendly and helpful but the hostel...
(near Van Ness and Union Square)
75% "The newly renovated Encore Express is centrally located near Van Ness and Union Square shopping districts. The Encore Express features guest rooms with a mix of dormitory accommodations, shared hall bath and private bath guest rooms. Each room comes with Bunk Beds, one Double bed or one Queen...
(The Mission)
73%  "This is the best hostel I have EVER stayed in. It's more like a nice hotel, but with hostel prices and crowd. It has a nice cafe and restaurant, free Internet and a great crew! Do yourself a big favor and stay here!!" … "This place has clean, comfortable rooms, smartly decorated interiors,...
(Union Square)
69%  "AAE Amsterdam San Francisco is one of those old-time boarding house experiences everyone should have. Well run by kind and courteous staff who are always willing to give help and assistance twenty-four hours a day, this hostel gives a feeling that you are staying with friends you have known for...
(The Tenderloin)
82% "Dakota Hostel is a sister property of the Adelaide Hostel one block away. The staff at each hostel communicate with with each other and guests are free to use the facilities at both properties. Most of the game nights and parties are at the Adelaide, with the Dakota being more of a quiet and...
(The Mission)
64% "If you are looking for accommodation in San Francisco then why not stay at El Capitan with its wide range of quality facilities at cheap prices! This is a great hostel situated in San Francisco and you are within minutes of all amenities and san francisco attractions. If you are thinking of...
72% "We are happy to announce the great opening of a brand new hostel in the center of San Francisco with safety, comfort at an affordable price. Newly added services, an improved experience and newly renovated interior & furniture. Our great location will attract you even more. We are just two...
(Union Square)
57%  "Union Square Backpackers Hostel is not in very good repair. There doesn't seem to be any security and the place is rundown and dirty. The people staying there are sketchy at best and everything is disorganized. Staff try to be helpful but are not always the best informed about things to do in...
(South of Market)
54%  "The easiest way to go to the European Hostel is by public transportation -- the tram or the bus. When you are arriving by car, you should be aware that the hostel does not have its own parking spaces. Parking in the street nearby is prohibited, but right across the little street there is a small...
(The Mission)
93%  "Great - We spoke after new year's. No openings. I'm holding a boom box outside your window. Please, save me from Berkeley!" … "Fantastic - is great place. i will never forget it. i spend the best time of my life. i meet lot of people from all the world. and the best thing, i meet a girl...
(Russian Hill)
"The AAE Manor(shared dorm rooms) and the AAE Mithila Botique Hotel with private rooms, are both excellent location wise for really enjoying San Francisco. You can book either of them here and see your room style before you go! Here is a basic description of our AAE Mithila: **If you book a...
411 O'farrell Street … San Francisco, USA
(Noe Valley)
30 Richland Avenue … San Francisco, USA
(South of Market)
36%  "A South of Market hostel with many small rooms. It's located less than a mile from the middle of downtown, in an area with several clubs and bars. There's a nice full kitchen, rooms that are about average in cleanliness, and bathrooms that aren't quite as nice and clean. The main common area...

San Francisco Others

(The Tenderloin)
57%  "Both the dorm rooms and the single rooms are very clean. Guests have free use of the gym, pool, steamroom and sauna." … "Good - i needed a swimming pool and this had a great pool and you can relax in the sauna afterwards. good breakfast as i don't like a big gut buster to go round and view...
(Oyster Point Marina)
"Located on the San Francisco Bay, AAE Oyster Point offers a unique combination: Deluxe Private Single Only Rooms in the hotel or Private Yachts that sleep up to 6 people! The Yachts are fully equipped with 2 to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, kitchens, flat screen TV, computers and right on the...

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San Francisco Travel Tips & Suggestions

Comment by Anonymous
As someone who has been homeless here, the reason there are so many homeless is that the rents are outrageous.
Comment by Anonymous
Get a "muni map" (public transportation system) and it will make touring the city quite a bit easier. The drivers are some of the friendliest and helpful you will ever come across. When in doubt, ask. Consider a boat trip below the Golden Gate or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Contrary to popular opinion, San Francisco has its share of bad restaurants, so be careful with guidebook suggestions.
Comment by Anonymous
It is great but expensive. Living near Chinatown and eating there is a quite smart choice.
Comment by Anonymous
Last I saw, San Francisco was super gentrified, and super whitified, with grimy streets that never seem to get cleaned and an endless supply of drug addicts and homeless. It's odd, as it thinks of itself as so progressive.
Comment by Anonymous
San Francisco is the most wonderful city that I have ever stayed. It has all that I can ask for in a city -- good people, wonderful days, beautiful nights, and awesome sightseeings. I'd come back there as fast as I can.
Comment by Albert
San Francisco is a very nice city -- lots of places to go and see. You can walk easily and there are lots of tourists in San Francisco.
Comment by ghislaine
I stayed twice four weeks in San Francisco and loved it so much. I want to get back there a.s.a.p. -- very European style, yet totally American. It's brilliant -- cool bars, good food, super streets!
Comment by Gregg P
I travel to San Francisco often because my company has an office on lower Haight. Since I am from Philly, the homeless population is not too aggressive but they are everywhere you go. The best way to see the city is by bike. Be careful in Berkeley parking your bike -- the homeless will take apart your bike in broad daylight. Go in the fall or spring (although last April it rained for a month straight). Dotties True Blue Cafe is a must for breakfast! (Jones Street in the Tenderloin). Best beers are at Tornado (Haight). Tuesdays only, try a burger at Rosamunde Sausage Grill. If you want to see music, try Cafe Du Nord, Covered Wagon Saloon,The Independent, Slim’s, El Rio, Bottom Of The Hill, Amnesia, Make-Out Room, Hemlock Tavern, Hotel Utah, Thee Parkside, 12 Galaxies, or Rickshaw Stop -- too many to count.
Comment by Alston
I lived in Frisco from 1965 to 1978 and it was perfectly acceptable to call it that, as most old timers (and now I am one of those) called it Frisco. In fact, my dad's middle name was Frisco, named after the city some call San Francisco. If it was good enough for our ancestors, it good enough for me.
Comment by Anonymous
A few words to help people - to avoid fog and rain come in fall or spring. Those are the nicest weather months in SF. Also a new person to the city can be put off because one of the poorest neighborhoods is The Tenderloin which is very close to Union Square and Civic Center. It is a very small area however & most people there are harmless. Stay north of Geary or west of Polk although there are some very good music clubs and night spots in the Tenderloin area. Do some research if you're a bit skittish. Altogether SF is an awesome city, very diverse and endless amounts of things to do.
Comment by Anonymous
As a New Yorker visiting SF, I thought SF was overrated -- in terms of diversity, cultural & intellectual stimulation, and nightlife. And as others have mentioned, the city has a terrible problem with the homeless, who essentially own the streets, espeically at night. If you go, I do recommend visiting Berkeley, which is really cool.
Comment by Anonymous
I love San Fransisco and especially the shopping and the cable cars. and my favorite, Lori's Diner.
Comment by Anonymous
If you like arts, having international trades at your fingertips, rich cultural diversity, enough restaurants and coffee to keep you busy for years, progressiveness, the bustle and rage and charm of the raw American coastal city, the ocean, the mountains, the hilly streets, the Pacific Northwest, the traffic, the history, the architecture, the celebrity, the tourism, the cheap seafood, then SF is for you - but also be prepared for everything that goes with being a major city that everybody wants to be in - crime, smog, homeless, traffic, crazy housing prices, crap employment outlook.
Comment by Anonymous
I arrived in San Francisco mid-Feburary. The winter can be cold and wet. The city has a great public transportation system that's reasonably priced. You will find however, the city is kind of dirty and gritty. There seems at times to be an endless supply of homeless people, beggers, and crazies that wander the streets. It is a bit off-putting, but most of the times its ok.
Comment by Anonymous
Don't come looking for job!!! I'm from Louisiana where a boom-and-bust economy is the norm, but it didn't prepare me for SF. It was really depression-era bad, literally. I wish I was only joking. It was delusional – all shiny, happy people telling you either it will get better – it didn’t - or it wasn’t that bad – it was worse. If you spoke against this prevailing attitude – well, you may find work as a drug dealer, but who knows?
Comment by Anonymous
Go to the website 511.org to get info on transportation from the train station or airport before you arrive.
Comment by Anonymous
The great meadow beside the Fort Mason Hostel is an absolutely perfect place for a picnic. We just had one there yesterday!
Comment by Anonymous
San Francisco has something for everyone - art museums, night clubs, the ocean, Golden Gate Park, the zoo, etc. Driving and parking can be frustrating, so take advantage of Muni and BART (public transportation.) Whatever you do, don't call San Francisco "Frisco" or "SanFran." These nicknames drive the locals nuts, and only a select few can call the city this. As a tourist, you're probably not one of them. Stick with "San Francisco," or for the adventurous types, "The City," (though use with discretion.)
Comment by Anonymous
If you don't want to wait in line for the cable cars that run from Market Street to Fisherman's Warf, it's best to go try the California cable car line instead (from Market to Van Ness on California Street). It isn't as hilly, so it's not quite as much fun, but there's almost never a line. Or if you do take the other lines, at least go at night when there's usually much less of a wait (check the schedule at transitinfo.org).
Comment by Anonymous
Don't miss the Haight Ashbury area (centered around the intersection of Haight Street and Ashbury Street) to get a taste of what the San Francisco 60s was all about.
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San Francisco
(Location Not Mapped)
Nearest Places:

Sausalito (11 Km / 7 mi.)
Berkeley (17 Km / 10 mi.)
Burlingame (22 Km / 14 mi.)
Montara (27 Km / 17 mi.)
Redwood City (36 Km / 22 mi.)
Martinez (37 Km / 23 mi.)
Pleasanton (50 Km / 31 mi.)
Los Altos Hills (50 Km / 31 mi.)
Point Reyes (57 Km / 35 mi.)
Pescadero (58 Km / 36 mi.)

San Francisco Travel Tips:
Try craigslist.org to read Bay Area community posts (rides, housing, events, etc). It's what all the locals use.

San Francisco Links:

San Francisco Info - History and background info on San Francisco from Wikipedia.


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