Press Room

Hostelling International offers more than a good night's sleep at a great price.

As a nonprofit dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, HI opens minds to the world, one person at a time.

HI hostels are a best-kept travel secret. HI's blue triangle logo is associated with exceptional service, cleanliness, and security -- quality standards achieved at 4,000 hostels in 80 countries. We have grown from a key player in the youth market to a budget travel leader with a diverse guest profile: 40 percent of our 46,000 U.S. members are 20-25 years old, 20 percent are 26-34 years old, and 10 percent are seniors 55 and older.

Everyone likes a good deal. That's why hostels are at the heart of travel today, contributing nearly $1.4 billion to annual tourism revenue worldwide. Hostelling International, a nonprofit network that began in a German schoolhouse in 1909, annually provides 31 million overnights and is the sixth largest provider or travel accommodation in the world.

Media Summary

Hostelling International USA, Golden Gate Council (nationally registered as Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels, Inc.) is a nonprofit network of eight hostels in scenic Northern California, that hosted 230,000 overnights in FYE 2010 -- more than 20 percent of HI's total U.S. overnights.

The Golden Gate Council has provided top-quality budget accommodations to travelers since it was founded in 1958 by a team of volunteers (visit About Us for a complete timeline). The Council is one of 31 regional HI affiliates providing affordable accommodations and educational programs across the United States. Hostelling International is the global brand for the International Youth Hostel Federation and its 80 member countries, including HI-USA.

From stately lighthouses to National Parks, busy city centers to remote coastal locales, the Council's hostel network is unmatched anywhere in the United States, and hosts travelers of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, including individuals, families, and groups.

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Council is dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel (visit About Us for our mission and vision statements). HI hostels are not just places to stay, but also places to foster a stronger global community and to educate youth.

HI's mission of promoting intercultural understanding through travel has never been more important. As part of a network that extends to nearly every region of the world, the Golden Gate Council is working even harder to provide safe places for travelers to meet each other, see new places, and experience other cultures.

For the latest on our programs and achievements, download the HI-USA Golden Gate Council annual report 2010(PDF, 1.32 MB).

Media Contact

Molly Mitoma
Marketing and Communications Manager, HI-USA Golden Gate Council
(415) 863-1444 ext. 313
mmitoma@norcalhostels.org

Please contact Ms. Mitoma for details about our eight hostels, to schedule an interview with a spokesperson, to receive high-quality photos, to arrange for a tour or overnight stay, or for any other media requests.

Press Releases

Subscribe to the RSS feed of HI-USA Golden Gate Council press releases.

August 23, 2011
Hostelling International launches West Coast passport campaign: Free souvenir passports and t-shirts offered at 27 hostels in the U.S. and Canada

Hi-res image 1: Hostelling International West Coast passport and stamps. Art by Michael Wertz. Design by Charette.

Hi-res image 2: HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel passport stamp. Art by Michael Wertz. Design by Charette.

Hi-res image 3: HI-Monterey Hostel passport stamp. Art by Michael Wertz. Design by Charette.

Hi-res image 4: HI-Yosemite Bug Hostel passport stamp. Art by Michael Wertz. Design by Charette.

February 15, 2011
California Coastal Conservancy funds initial stage of hostel development in Redwood National and State Parks

November 30, 2010
Sacramento Hostel's "Mansion 2 Museum" package combines Crocker Art Museum visit with a stay at the Llewellyn Williams Mansion

Hi-res photo 1: Sacramento Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Sacramento Hostel parlor. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 3: Sacramento Hostel dining room. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 4: Sacramento Hostel private room. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 5: Sacramento Hostel dorm room. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

November 2, 2010
Four coastal California hostels offer "Winter Weekday Specials:" Stay two nights, get the third night free

Hi-res photo 1: Marin Headlands Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 4: Point Reyes Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

May 20, 2010
Point Reyes Hostel set to expand with new LEED-certified facility

Hi-res photo 1: Point Reyes Hostel exterior. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Point Reyes Hostel common room. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 3: Point Reyes Hostel private room. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 4: Point Reyes Hostel patio. Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

February 9, 2010
Dedication of "The Plant" in Fort Mason, Feb. 17

Hi-res photo 1: "The Plant" exterior (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.

Hi-res photo 2: "The Plant" kitchenette (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.

Hi-res photo 3: "The Plant" dormitory (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.

Hi-res photo 4: "The Plant" group leader/chaperone room (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.

February 8, 2010
Point Reyes Hostel rated #2 H.I. hostel in the world

Hi-res photo 1: Point Reyes Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Point Reyes Hostel back patio (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 3: Point Reyes Hostel guest lounge (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

January 7, 2010
A Farewell Celebration for the Redwood Hostel, Jan. 23

Hi-res photo 1: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 2: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 3: Pacific Ocean view from Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

Hi-res photo 4: Hostel manager Kaci Elder and Ryan Forsythe (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.

September 10, 2009
"SF Music Intensive" offers professional development for musicians in the City by the Bay (October 16-18)

September 9, 2009
Redwood National Park Hostel to close on January 18, 2010

August 6, 2009
National Park hostels in Northern California host free 100th Anniversary Parties, August 23-29, 2009

August 6, 2009
San Mateo lighthouse hostels host free 100th Anniversary Parties, August 22 and 30, 2009

August 6, 2009
Sacramento Hostel hosts free 100th Anniversary Party and Ice Cream Social, August 25, 2009

August 5, 2009
San Francisco hostels host free 100th Anniversary Party, August 29, 2009

June 30, 2009
"100 Years of Hostelling" celebrations are scheduled at nine Northern California hostels, August 22-30, 2009

May 17, 2009
New independent film "Etienne!" screens at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Marin Headlands Hostels, June 19-20

April 20, 2009
California lighthouse hostels recognized for eco-friendly accommodations: HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse and HI-Point Montara Lighthouse are now Certified Green Businesses

November 18, 2008
Historic Sacramento Hostel now offers Half-Price Winter Weekends: Stay Friday night, get Saturday night free

October 31, 2008
Four coastal California hostels offer "Winter Weekday Specials": Stay one night, get half-off the second night, Sunday - Wednesday nights

October 7, 2008
"Golden Anniversary of Golden Gate Hostels": 50th Anniversary Luncheon Celebration (Sunday, October 26, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)