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A few words from our critics
This is your opportunity to find out what our guests have to say about our hostels: Simple, straightforward and unedited. (okay, we did correct a few typos here and there).
Special Project
HI-USA, Golden Gate Council staff members are always curious what hostelling means to our guests or how the experience changes their lives. It is one way we measure how effective we are at achieving HI’s mission to help travelers gain a greater understanding of the world and its people.
“I just rode my bicycle from Chicago to San Francisco in seven weeks. During the trip hostelling began to mean being flexible and open-minded. Hostels are a great place to meet lots of travelers who give you more ideas for traveling, who open your eyes and keep you young.”
– A guest from Brazil
“I think everyone should get to know hostels and see what they have to offer. Because it’s not just a bed and a breakfast but a chance to learn, experience, to open your mind and to meet new people from all around the world. And every person has a story to tell!”
– A guest from United Kingdom
“I had it really easy traveling the United States because I stayed with friends. My first night in a hostel — ever — was here, and I’m sad to leave so soon. I’ll be hostelling again for sure. That little step into the unknown opens a huge door.”
– A guest from Taiwan
“Hostelling is a home away from home! I’m a secondary English teacher who encourages students to plan a trip abroad so they can contact people from all over the world.”
– A guest from Ohio
“This was my first hostelling experience, and it was well above what I expected: A fabulous location, great service and friendly guests. Keep up the good job.”
– A guest from Colombia
“Hostelling International hostels all have something in common: They make you feel equal, there are no borders and everyone can share the same safe space with respect, love and friendship. It feels so good to be able to arrive in an unfamiliar place and feel comfortable. Travel is a way to learn, understand and reinvent new realities. Thanks to hostels, I know that I will always have a place to stay.”
– A guest from England
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Guests
“We spent two nights here at HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse. [We spent time] playing in the beaches by day, exploring the outdoors and finally settling in to watch the pelicans [with] an awesome sunset painting the sky. Wow. I shall return.”
– A guest at HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse (California)
“Your staff gave my husband and I a wonderful opportunity to teach our children how to live Aloha by example … The Hawaiian language has no words that mean you're welcome because once you say thank you for something, it's a done deal. We say "A hui hou," which means, "until next time" (e.g. once a friend, always a friend).”
– A guest at HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf (Hawaii)
“Thumbs up to the staff for such a friendly, helpful and professional outfit. Definitely one of the best hostels I have stayed in.”
– A guest at HI-SF City Center (Australia)
“This hostel is fantastic: centrally located, friendly, clean and with most amazingly helpful staff I have come across anywhere in the USA.”
– A guest at HI-SF City Center (United Kingdom)
“The staff was super friendly, I felt very safe, and the location is second to none. I was close to everything, shopping, food, transportation, etc. I would highly recommend this hostel …”
– A www.TripAdvisor.com user who stayed at HI-SF Downtown
“I regret I already have to leave tomorrow, but I truly enjoyed my stay and San Francisco is just wonderful: American but European at the same time. So cool! Well, I hope everyone would enjoy this place as much as I did.”
– A guest at HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf (France)
“Thank you so much for giving us the privilege of sharing in the hospitality of our country with others!”
– A guest at HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse
“I had such a great time traveling by myself because I wasn’t really by myself. I met many lovely couples, and singles from so many different walks of life. They enriched my stay here at the lighthouse.”
– A guest at HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse
“ ... the staff made us feel really welcome and gave us some great ideas for things to do in the area.”
– A www.SFTravel.com user who stayed at HI-SF Downtown
“Decent price, great location, nice atmosphere, good and unique travel tips in lobby.”
– A www.VirtualTourist.com user who stayed at HI-SF Downtown
“You way overcame what we were expecting. The beds are so comfy and the people here are so nice.”
– A guest at HI-SF City Center (California)
“We came here randomly and thankfully found beds, but we ended up with the coolest bunch of girls and we talked and sang songs well into the morning. The beauty and mystery of this friendly place is magical.”
– A guest at HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse
“Hostelling means not living in luxury, but it also guarantees fun and excitement. This was my first time in a hostel, and I love it. I’ve met so many people from many different backgrounds and countries. It has certainly changed my life.”
– A guest at HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf (Germany)
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Groups
“It [was] a pleasure and an honor to [be] your guests. We thoroughly enjoyed our three days in San Francisco! Thank you again for organizing our concert and for a wonderful stay at [HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf]. We thoroughly enjoyed performing for you … it was not only an outstanding concert tour, it was a tour of meeting and getting to know friendly people who invited us into their lives, who exchanged thoughts and information about our countries and cultures and families.”
– Stuttgart University Academic Orchestra (Germany)
“[HI-SF City Center] was gorgeous: It had a wonderful character, [we loved] the old hotel atmosphere and the kitchen was a great size for our group with everything we needed.”
– Williams-Mystic, Williams College (Connecticut)
“[We] loved the front desk staff [and] the architecture of the building … [HI-SF City Center] is a gem.”
– Naramata Centre (British Columbia)
“Without [HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse], we would have been unable to provide such quality information and resources to our staff and in turn, to our students. We look forward to future partnerships in the upcoming year.”
– College Nine, University of California at Santa Cruz (California)
“Only due to people like you [we are] able to continue to operate and gain influence as a nonprofit environmental organization in both Russia and the United States. Our special thanks to [HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf] for your great work and service you have provided to our participants and staff.”
– Tahoe Baikal Institute (Russia, California and Nevada)
“[My] 6-8 grade class had a wonderful two-day trip to Angel Island and San Francisco. I appreciate your [program director] position to help teachers make the most of their field trips and visits!”
– Pacific Community Charter School (California)
“A very big ‘thank you’ to all of you who made our trip to California such a big success! This was the first time that my group had been in America, and the staff at [HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf] made us feel very welcome. We really appreciated your openness and friendliness and willingness to help us have such a wonderful time. It was unforgettable … Keep up the good work, and I hope that we have the chance someday to return your kindness.”
– Dutch Royal Institute of Engineers (Netherlands)
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Travel Guides
“[HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf] at Fort Mason overlooks the bay near Fisherman’s Wharf and has top-notch facilities.”
– Lonely Planet USA
“[Rooms at HI-SF City Center] come with perks like cheap Internet access, nightly movies, listings of walking tours and pub crawls.”
– Let’s Go
“The best located of the city’s hostels, [HI-SF Downtown] is in the heart of downtown. It has typically basic hostel facilities, with double rooms and dorms, plus a shared kitchen, library, TV room and Internet access. Activities include nightly free movies and daily walking tours.”
– The Best of San Francisco
“One can only imagine what the Hyatt Regency’s top brass would pay to get their hands on this fantastic piece of real estate. [HI-SF Fisherman’s Wharf] has the best locale of any lodging ― cheap or expensive ― on the north side of San Francisco ― if not in the entire city. Perched on a grassy bluff above the bay, this 150-bed hostel offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and practically bites on the scenic Golden Gate Promenade, an ideal stretch of land for strolling, jogging, skating and bicycling … almost to good to be true!”
– Northern California Cheap Sleeps
“For just over $20 per night (with a notarized ID), you can relive college-dorm life in an old San Francisco-style building right in the heart of Union Square. Occupying five sparsely decorated floors, rooms [at HI-SF Downtown] are simple and clean. Each has two or three bunk beds with linens, its own sink, a closet, and lockers (bring your own lock or buy one at the front desk) … Laminated posters adorn the freshly painted hallways, and there are several common rooms, including a reading room and a large kitchen with lots of tables, chairs and refrigerator space. There are laundry facilities and a helpful information desk where you can book tour reservations and sightseeing trips.”
– Frommer’s San Francisco
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