7 best hostels in San Francisco

Published by: BouncePosted

San Francisco is undoubtedly one of California's best places to live and visit. With the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and its fantastic food scene, gorgeous scenery, diverse culture, and rich history, it’s no surprise that San Francisco is a favorite choice among locals and international visitors. Perhaps, the only thing that will make you think twice about visiting is the cost of a trip to the city — San Francisco is one of the country’s most expensive cities to visit!

Vacation rentals and hotels are great, but they’re not for everyone, especially for young travelers and backpackers who want to make the most of their trip without breaking the bank. That’s why we’ll cover some of the best hostels in San Francisco to help you save money on your vacation. This way, you can travel longer, visit more places, or spend your hard-earned money on food, tickets to shows, or day trips.

Another reason to stay in a hostel is that Bounce often partners with hostels for its San Francisco luggage storage service. It means giving you access to secured storage lockers during your stay. But don’t worry if your chosen lodging isn’t a partner. Bounce has luggage storage facilities near transport hubs, restaurants, and shops across the city.

The Adelaide Hostel

Female solo travelers, families, couples, and groups are welcome to a clean and convenient stay in Adelaide Hostel San Francisco. Located in the Union Square area, this hostel is the ideal base for your city exploration. It’s a true backpacker’s hostel tucked away at the end of the alleyway, two blocks from the center of Union Square.

Voted by HostelGeeks as the best hostel in San Francisco in 2021, Adelaide Hostel is a small, independent space where you’ll feel comfortable and refreshed after a good night’s rest. You can sleep in a shared dorm or a private room with double beds. There are also bed dorms exclusively for female travelers.

What makes Adelaide Hostel unique

If you don’t know where to begin your adventure, the friendly receptionist is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and advise you on the city’s best attractions, tours, restaurants, and more. But before heading out, enjoy the free breakfast between 7 to 10 AM daily. There’s also an outdoor patio and a large comfortable lounge to chill, make new friends, and browse the web, thanks to free WiFi.

Adelaide Hostel pricing

The rate for a mixed dorm is $45.00 a night, shared among four occupants. If you want to spend a night or two in a private room, you’ll have to pay around $173.00 for a personal space with two double beds.

Orange Village Hostel

Located in San Francisco’s center on O’Farrell Street is the Orange Village Hostel. It’s five minutes away on foot from the Central San Francisco Union Square and 12 minutes from the BART Metro Station. This makes this San Francisco hostel well-connected and easily accessible to everyone.

Private rooms and dormitories exclusively for males and females are the accommodation options at Orange Village. Every room is furnished with hardwood flooring and comes with a backpack-sized storeroom. Guests can enjoy free breakfast and access to common areas, including a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge.

What makes Orange Village Hostel unique

What’s unique about the Orange Village Hostel is its location. Since it’s in the center of San Francisco, you can visit many attractions in the city during a relaxing stroll. These include the Cartoon Art Museum and the Moscone Center. You can also speed up your exploration by renting a bicycle in the reception. If the tourist destination you have in mind is quite far to reach by foot or bike, you can get to the nearby BART station to get to the desired attraction. This metro station will also take you to San Francisco Airport.

Orange Village Hostel pricing

Orange Village is one of the cheapest hostels in San Francisco. It allows you to stay in a shared dorm for about $44.00 a night or a triple bed for $164.00. For couples, or if you want more privacy and a spacious room, you can opt for a deluxe queen private room for about $172.00 a night. 

Green Tortoise Hostel San Francisco

One of the most renowned and diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco is North Beach. And if you want to stay in this area, book a room or a bed in Green Tortoise Hostel San Francisco. You can choose from the standard, two-bed, or triple rooms, depending on how many people you stay with. These rooms don’t have an ensuite bathroom but provide better privacy than shared dormitories.

If you don’t mind sharing a room with strangers or a group, the single mixed dorms can fit up to nine guests, while the female-only dorms can accommodate up to five people. Regardless of the bed or room you reserve, all guests can access the shared kitchen, game room, and computer lounge. There’s also free breakfast every day, a free sauna, and exciting social events you can join in.

What makes Green Tortoise Hostel San Francisco unique

San Francisco has many attractions you should see during your visit to the city. Several iconic landmarks near the Green Tortoise Hostel in San Francisco include the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coit Tower, and Chinatown, among many others. It’s an ideal choice for couples on a getaway, solo travelers, or groups discovering some of California’s best offerings.

Green Tortoise Hostel pricing

The hostel prices are about $39.00 a night for a shared dorm with four to five beds. If you want your own sink in a private room, a triple private that accommodates three people costs about $115.00 a night.

HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel

One of the best San Francisco hostels located in the middle of everything you want to see and do is HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel. It is centrally located on Mason Street, the city’s bustling downtown, near many shopping, dining, and entertainment spots. You’ll also find bus and subway lines nearby, so getting to your desired destination is a breeze.

Get your own spacious private room or check into one of the newly updated dormitories at this downtown hostel in San Francisco. No matter your choice, you’ll have a restful sleep on the new bunk beds and comfy mattresses. They also come with free towels, bed sheets, private bathrooms, and personal USB and power outlets.

What makes HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel unique

Thanks to its ideal location in the heart of the bustling downtown San Francisco, the hostel offers self-guided walking tours to see the sights, appreciate street art, and soak in the culture. And since it’s close to public transportation, you can venture further and discover beyond the neighborhood.

 HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel pricing

This charming downtown San Francisco hostel is a budget traveler’s dream lodging among the pricey hotels in the area. The rate of a dormitory starts from $49.50 per person a night, while a private room is about $126.00.

Amsterdam Hostel San Francisco

Amsterdam Hostel San Francisco is also located in downtown San Francisco. It’s a well-connected, stylish youth hostel in the city with plenty of activities and events. Due to its location, guests can immerse themselves in the diverse culture, history, and art through walking or bike tours.

This San Francisco hostel features an array of lodging options for all travelers and budgets. You can book a private room or bed in the dormitory and spend quiet time with your partner after a long day of exploration or share a space with fellow guests from around the globe.

What makes Amsterdam Hostel San Francisco unique

Plenty of opportunities to rest, play, and work await you at Amsterdam Hostel, making it one of the best hostels in San Francisco for digital nomads and business travelers to remain productive and efficient during their trip. After completing your work, you can grab a free city map and take advantage of a bicycle rental to explore the area’s many attractions, restaurants, art galleries, and shops on a bike.

Amsterdam Hostel San Francisco pricing

Although not the best cheap hostel in San Francisco, Amsterdam offers special offerings and packages, from mobile-only discounts to 10% off for those who stay for at least five nights. But even if you don’t avail of the discount, the standard room rates are still affordable. A mixed dorm costs around $59.50 a night, while a standard queen room is about $150.00 per night.

Pacific Tradewinds Hostel

Situated inside Chinatown, ITH Pacific Tradewinds Hostel is an affordable hostel boasting a friendly atmosphere to welcome guests and world travelers. It transforms into an exciting party hostel by night, giving everyone a delightful place to hang out, socialize, and relax.

Pacific Tradewinds Hostel has spaces for all budgets and different types of travelers, no matter your itinerary or reason for visiting. You can book the micro private double room if you’re traveling to San Francisco alone or with another person. It has two single beds, one workspace, and a shared bathroom. Dormitory rooms can accommodate up to eight guests, and you can choose a quiet space or a social dorm near the common area. All guests can benefit from the free Wi-Fi and the communal spaces, including the lounge, kitchen, and workspace.

What makes Pacific Tradewinds Hostel unique

If you’re staying in The Pacific Tradewinds Hostel, you don’t need to go far to see the city’s famous attractions. The Chinatown itself, where the hostel is located, is a tourist spot. Aside from this, there are nearby renowned destinations, such as the Central San Francisco Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, among many others.

Pacific Tradewinds Hostel pricing

Book early if you think it’s the best hostel in San Francisco for you, as rooms fill up quickly. As with other hostels, mixed spaces are cheaper than private rooms. So if you have the budget, a micro-private room for yourself and a friend or partner is perfect for $99.00 a night. Budget-conscious travelers can rent a bed in a mixed dorm starting at $39.00 a night.

HI SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel

Just a short walking distance from the Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina District, you’ll find one of the most laid-back hostels in San Francisco. HI SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel is housed in the historic Fort Mason, sitting right on the waterfront overlooking the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

Whether you want a peaceful and quiet space after a busy day in the bustling city or hope to enjoy a social experience meeting other travelers, HI SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel has got you covered. It offers private rooms and shared dorms and boasts a super-friendly to help uncover some of the hidden gems in the area.

What makes HI SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel

There’s no dull moment inside or outside the hostel. You can find outdoor adventures at the Golden Gate National Recreational Area, take a scenic bayside walk, or take advantage of the walking tours the hostel organized. If you’re having a lazy day and can’t be bothered going out, you can play in the game room or get your fill in the café on site.

HI SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel pricing

The prices at SF Fisherman's Wharf Hostel can start at $47.50 per person a night for a dorm bed in a mixed room. If you prefer a private room, a two-person queen room costs about $133.50 per night.

Stay in the best San Francisco hostels for your needs

Whether you’re looking to meet new friends and party, get some work done, or save as much money as possible on your trip, the hostels in San Francisco can make it happen. There are countless numerous options available, so take your time and determine which works for your needs and budget.

As part of your preparation, increase your knowledge about the city to make the most of your trip. For more information and tips, check our guides on the Best Time to Visit San Francisco: The Ultimate Guide and 3 Days in San Francisco: Everything You Should Know.

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