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San Francisco Hostels

Bargains or hassles?

San Francisco Hostel Room

The cheapest way to stay in San Francisco is in a hostel. The least expensive hotels are $85, and most are closer to $150. A hostel is only $15-$20. However, you will be sharing a room with at least four other people. You will also be sharing a not so clean bathroom. There will be no parking, although you can easily rent parking close by. None of these places have crazy policies like some hostels in Europe where you have a curfew or can be locked out if you don't get in by a certain time.

Hostels are a great deal if you don't mind a little sharing. They also offer a great opportunity to meet people. The following list of hostels was compiled for the (415) area code. Try to get reservations if possible before you visit S.F.-- and mention sfTravel sent ya!  We're including an area rating from "A"=Excellent to "F"=Awful. This rates only the neighborhood and especially the neighborhood's general safety level relative to other S.F. places; not the hostels facilities. Help our community out by sending a review of what you think of these places after you stay there.

What the heck is a hostel??? And why is it so cheap!?

Our readers asked... " I don't really know what a hostel is and how it is different from a hotel (except that it's smaller). I would greatly appreciate it if you could clarify this for me. "

A hostel is a "low grade" budget hotel. The differences are:
* People share a bathroom with people on the same hotel floor
* People share a sleep room of about 6 people - private rooms available in some cases.
* Usually no parking
* Usually should lock belongings in a locker of some kind in the room.
They are an easy way to save $ for "backpack" type travelers. however, They don't make for a "romantic" getaway for couples typically.

The Hostels:
Green Tortoise Guest House

200 bed hostel operated by  long distance bus company.  This hostel is located within easy walking distance of at least five of San Francisco's largest nude / strip clubs including the Hustler Club, Boys Toys, Centerfolds, The Roaring 20's, The Hungry I, and the Garden of Eden.  If you are interested in seeing a live nude show of this kind, this hostel is very convenient.  The hostel's most recent rates were $25 per night for dorm room's near North Beach, and $65 for private rooms.

AYH (Hosteling International) Hostel at Union Square

286 beds with 2-6 beds per room $26/night.  Private rooms may be available for an additional fee.  Generally good feedback on this property.

AYH Hostel at City Center

Joerg writes, "I just wanna tell you about a great hostel called "Hostel at City Center",located 685 Ellis Street. I stayed there August 2001.  It had opened just a few days before. The whole place was renovated, and everything was clean and fresh. The staff is friendly.  They have 4 person dorm rooms and some private rooms. I will come back in Fall, so we'll see, if it's still the same! Till then: A+."

San Francisco International Student Center
50 beds with 3 & 4 bedroom dorm's @ $13.50/night
Area rating=B- near SOMA nightclubs but a relatively poor-fair neighborhood.
In SOMA at 1188 Folsom

European Guest House
70 beds @ $14/night
Area rating=B- near SOMA nightclubs but a relatively poor-fair neighborhood.
In SOMA at 761 Minna   

Pacific Tradewinds   680 Sacramento 415-433-7970
30 beds in Chinatown - Area rating=B
Small dorm room at $24/night
Stephane of France writes , " I was wonderfully surprised by the quality and economy of the accomodation. First of all, the staff as well as the manager welcomed me warmly and offered me a cup of tea or coffee. They treated me like a person instead of a transaction. It was like being in a friend's home. Then, it was a great opportunity to meet many people from different countries, and that's what happened : the hostel aims at creating a friendly, vibrant atmosphere. The hostel was clean, well-organized and the free internet was a great bonus. Besides, the neighborhood was safe, a lot of fun, and at the centre of everywhere I wanted to be. I liked this hostel so much that I went back in October 2001, and nothing has changed ever since." 

Val writes, "The staff was so helpful and available.    The bathrooms and bedrooms were impecably clean. Other travelers were friendly, the common room was appealing and completely free internet access was a bonus for sure.. ."

Interclub Globe Hostel
150 beds with free coffee & tea at $20 for dorm rooms and $50 for their only private room
You can buy meals cheap there too. Area rating of B 
All Accomodations come with -
     Private Bathrooms;
     Continental Breakfast;
     Free Internet Terminals;
     Wi-Fi Access in all rooms;
     Laundry Facilities;
     Kitchen access [limited];
     Microwaves & Refrigerators;
  
Located at 10 Hallam Street, between 7th & 8th Sts. on Folsom Street in the SOMA District of San Francisco [South of Market Area] - an up and coming Residential/Lt.Industrial neighborhood.  Walking distance from Garages, & Nightclubs.
 

Fort Mason International Hostel
162 bed hostel right on the S.F. bay in a park. This is S.F.'s best and most popular hostel.
Area rating=A+. Quiet hours at midnight
$26 per night (as of 2006)

Grand Central Hostel
250 rooms with weekly parties and T.V. Dorm rooms for $12; private rooms for $20.
Centrally located near Civic Center in a pretty poor neighborhood with rating of D.
Warning: You ***MUST*** have a passport to stay here. Otherwise, they boot you.
1412 Market

GlobeTrotter's Inn
30 beds with dorm rooms only. MINIMUM ONE WEEK STAY.
$12 per night with area rating of D near Union Square's Tenderloin slum
225 Ellis  

YMCA - STRONGLY DISCOURAGED

"...no human should have to be subjected to something like that...."

Cheap Hotel Alternatives:

Adante Hotel - Popular; well-reviewed; and near Union Square from under $75 per night!!!  Check out the Adante Hotel...

Grant Plaza Hotel - very popular budget hotel near Chinatown and the Financial District...

Renoir Hotel - popular centrally located large budget hotel with character...   Tiffany writes in March 2002, "My guest and I were very displeased with the area of the hotel. I was told this was a safe area for two young girls, which was totally incorrect considering the hotel is in the Tenderloin district. We  feared to walk anywhere from our hotel (including the short walk to Union Square) so we took a cab everywhere, which wasn't bad price-wise. There is also a live sex show "cinema" across the street to one side of the hotel (our window faced that side).  Even after our late night out at a club getting in at 4am, the streets were so loud we couldn't sleep.  The quality of the hotel's inside appearance was nice, but there were always long lines at the front desk and it took them 40 minutes to get our car from the $22/day "valet" parking even after we called for our car. I was surprised this hotel is listed in the first-class or 3-stars category! Now, I know where NOT to stay for my next visit to the city."

Comfort Inn by the Bay - "...Can't go wrong with this hotel!... "