HI and Hostels
HI stands for Hostelling International , a brand name that makes it easy for travelers to find a hostel they know will meet high standards of cleanliness, service and safety. The International Youth Hostel Federation adopted the HI brand name in the early 1990s. Now travelers just look for the trademarked HI and the blue triangle logo for quality accommodations. Hostelling International USA is an affiliate of this international nonprofit organization. HI-USA operates a network of more than 100 hostel accommodations and is associated with 34 councils throughout the United States, including Golden Gate Council.
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HI hostels offer an opportunity to interact with travelers of any age, culture, background or experience in a safe environment. HI hostels also provide free or low-cost programs, self-service kitchens, comfortable common rooms, bathrooms, showers and many other amenities. HI hostels are the trusted source for quality at a great price because they meet international quality standards for cleanliness, service and safety.
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A hostel provides a comfortable night’s sleep at a low-cost in private or dorm-style accommodations in unique settings all over the world. Hostels come in all shapes and sizes: Historic buildings, renovated hotels or mansions with 20 beds or 600. Hostels reflect the special character of the host country.
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HI hostels in Northern California are listed on Our Hostels. For worldwide locations, visit HI. HI also publishes an annual guide of hostels in two volumes that can be purchased from HI-USA.
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New HI hostel developments, as well as renovations to existing hostels, feature smaller dorms with four or five beds and private rooms — both with private bathrooms. Contact the HI hostel of your choice to inquire about their options.
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Safety and security for guests and their belongings are a high priority at all HI hostels. Because space is shared in dorm-style accommodations, common sense dictates keeping valuables and important documents in your possession at all times. However, many HI hostels provide either secure baggage check facilities or small private lockers for valuables. Guests are advised to bring a padlock or additional money to purchase one at the hostel.
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HI membership is not required. However, non-members pay an extra fee per night (in the United States the fee is $3). Some European HI hostels will only admit members.
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HI members receive discounted overnight rates at more than 4,000 HI hostels in 60 countries around the world and are enrolled in HI’s FreeNites and More loyalty program. For more detailed information see Membership.
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HI memberships can be purchased online, in person or from a membership-selling agency. For more details visit Membership.
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Most major urban HI hostels are open 24 hours a day. Some smaller and rural hostels are closed during the day, usually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a hostel is closed during the day, most will offer a place to store your luggage.
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There are no chores at large urban hostels where there is a professional cleaning staff. Chores are voluntary at most other hostels. Chores are small cleaning tasks that won't take more than a few minutes to complete.
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HI hostels welcome people of all ages and are no longer referred to as youth hostels. In fact, there are more and more families, groups and people 55 or older using our hostels. Bavaria, Germany, is the only area in the world where access is limited to travelers under the age of 26.
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HI hostel guests have few things in common other than wanting accommodations that provide quality, value and culture at a low price. A guest can be a man in his 30s who brought his family by car, a woman in her 20s who arrived alone on foot or a school group on a community service trip. HI hostels are not just for young people, although the majority of our visitors are between 18 and 35 years old.
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School groups or social, community, professional or religious organizations are welcome at HI hostels, but advance reservations are required. Many HI hostels have special meeting facilities or group programs (some offer day use for an additional fee). For more information visit Groups.
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For peace of mind, HI recommends that you make a reservation. Otherwise, walk-ins are welcome.
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Many HI hostels provide online reservations or you can call the hostel of your choice. HI hostels in Northern California are listed on Our Hostels, additional U.S. locations are available from HI-USA and worldwide locations are available from HI.
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Golden Gate Council Hostels
Hostelling International USA, Golden Gate Council (nationally registered as Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels, Inc.) is a regional council affiliate of HI-USA. The council manages and operates 10 HI-USA hostels in Northern California that annually serve more than 200,000 guests from around the world. Since its establishment in 1958, Golden Gate Council has grown to become one of the leading networks of HI-USA hostels.
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Golden Gate Council hostels are some of the most celebrated hostels in the United States. HI-Point Montara Lighthouse and HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse are situated next to historic lighthouses along the rugged California coast. HI-Sacramento is located in an elegant 1885 Victorian mansion near the Capitol. HI-SF City Center is a beautifully restored historic hotel that is one of a growing number of upscale hostels changing the face of budget travel. At HI-Redwood National Park you will stay in a 1908 pioneer home that retains the charm of a family cabin with cozy rooms and a comfortable common space.
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HI-SF City Center, located near the Civic Center arts district in San Francisco, is in a diverse neighborhood with world-class museums, popular nightclubs, independent theatres and hundreds of restaurants with good food at great prices.
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HI-SF Downtown (“Hostel at Union Square”) is just two blocks away from Union Square, San Francisco’s shopping and theatre district with nostalgic cable cars and inexpensive but fabulous restaurants.
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HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf is located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, an urban National Park, and has spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and is only a short walk away from Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square and Chinatown.
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HI-Marin Headlands is located in the Marin Headlands section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The nearest city is Sausalito.
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HI-Sacramento is in downtown Sacramento only blocks from the State Capitol Building and Old Sacramento.
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HI-Point Montara Lighthouse is 25 miles south of San Francisco on Highway 1 in the city of Montara (near Half Moon Bay and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve).
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HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse is next to one of the tallest lighthouses in America in the keeper’s restored living quarters on Pigeon Point, just a short drive from the town of Pescadero.
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HI-Point Reyes is in the Point Reyes National Seashore, a short drive from the towns of Point Reyes Station and Olema.
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HI-Redwood National Park is located in the Redwood National Park near Klamath along Highway 101 North.
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HI-Hidden Villa is located in Los Altos Hills just minutes away from Palo Alto, Stanford University and San Jose.
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Golden Gate Council hostels provide clean and fully equipped self-service kitchen facilities. You will find plates, silverware, cookware, refrigerators and stoves or microwave ovens. Laundry facilities are available at HI-Redwood National Park, HI-Sacramento, HI-Marin Headlands, HI-SF Downtown and HI-SF Fisherman's Wharf.
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Our three San Francisco hostels provide linen for free and guests can rent sheets or towels at most of our other hostels for only $1. Clean sleeping bags are permitted only at HI-Marin Headlands and HI-Point Reyes.
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It is always a good idea to pack enough food for one dinner and one breakfast, in case there are no easily accessible stores. Our San Francisco hostels have nearby markets or restaurants, and HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf also offers light breakfasts and coffee. Our hostels in more remote locations, like HI-Point Reyes, are not located near markets or restaurants. Please call the hostel of your choice in advance if you are in doubt.
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Golden Gate Council hostels have safe storage areas or lockers in or near the dorm room for valuables. Theft is relatively uncommon in hostels, but it would be nice to keep it that way. We recommend keeping your valuables with you or asking the hostel staff if safekeeping facilities are available.
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All Golden Gate Council hostels are wheelchair accessible except for three: HI-SF City Center, HI-Redwood National Park and HI-Hidden Villa.
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Golden Gate Council offers a wide range of programs and activities that are designed with our guests in mind. In San Francisco, see the neighborhoods you might have missed on your own, hear local stories that bring the city to life and get tips for the best meals and deals. If your school is participating in our Hostel Adventure Program, you’ll experience the wonders of nature or take a fun night hike to gaze at the stars.
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All HI-USA hostels accept MasterCard and Visa. Some accept Discover or JCB. Sorry, we do not accept American Express.
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Nine of our hostels currently provide real-time reservations: All three San Francisco locations plus our coastal getaways and parks locations, except for HI-Hidden Villa. Visit Our Hostels for a complete list of options.
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Check-in requires an official government-issued photo identification card, such as a passport, driver’s license or state/country identification card. If you are an HI-USA member and want to receive the member rate, you must also present your membership card.
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