All Questions

1. What are hostels?
2. What are hostels in Northern California like and where are they located?
3. Is there an age-limit for staying at a hostel?
4. Are hostels safe?
5. Do I need to be a member of Hostelling International to stay at a hostel?
6. What are the benefits of membership, and how can I become a member?
7. Which documents do I need to check in?
8. Can I pay with my credit card?
9. Should I make a reservation?
10. Are there laundry and kitchen facilities at the hostels?
11. Do I have to bring sheets?
12. Which of the hostels are wheelchair accessible?
13. Will I have to do chores?
14. Are there private rooms/ family rooms available?
15. Can I bring a group to a hostel?

1. What are hostels?
Hostels provide inexpensive accommodation for people of all ages and nationalities. They are unique locations, where you will meet travelers from all over the world in a warm, communicative atmosphere. Most of the rooms are dormitory style. All of our hostels afford a self serve kitchen, common living areas, showers and many other amenities. Rates range from $12-19 per person (in most cases children under 12 receive a 50% discount). For more information visit the individual hostel sites.

2. What are hostels in Northern California like and where are they located?
Most of our hostels offer accommodation at historic sites. Pigeon Point and Point Montara hostels are situated next to a lighthouse; our Sacramento hostel is located in an 1885 Victorian Mansion, while at Redwood National Park you’ll stay in a 1908 pioneer home. The surroundings are as attractive and diverse as the buildings: Point Reyes National Seashore, an actual working farm near Palo Alto, downtown San Francisco, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
For detailed information have a look at our map and follow the links to individual hostel sites!

3. Is there an age-limit for staying at a hostel?
No! All ages are welcome. Those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a legal adult.

4. Are hostels safe?
Safety and security for our guests and their belongings are a high priority at AYH hostels and incidents are rare. While accommodation is shared, traveling creates a sense of solidarity among hostellers. However, common sense says to keep your valuables on your person. The following hostels provide lockers: Marin Headlands, SF-Fisherman's Wharf and Sacramento.

5. Do I need to be a member of Hostelling International to stay at a hostel?
Yes, membership is required. Some hostels sell temporary membership for $3 per day, which is the reason why non-members pay a slightly higher price than HI-members ( in Sacramento, SF-Downtown, Hidden Villa, Point Montara and Pigeon Point). However, hostels located on federal land do not enforce membership (SF-Fisherman's Wharf, Redwood National Park, Point Reyes, Marin Headlands).

6. What are the benefits of membership, and how can I become a member?
HI-members receive discount rates at about 5000 hostels in more than 70 countries around the world. US-residents also get a free Hostelling North America Guidebook. Further benefits include hundreds of discounts on air fares , railway tickets, ferry tickets, car rentals, restaurants, museum admissions, festivals, ski lifts, environmental classes and much more. All of our hostels sell HI-membership cards. Please visit our membership site for further information.

7. Which documents do I need to check in?
We require an official photo ID, like a passport, a driver’s license, or a state/country ID. If you are a member of Hostelling International, don’t forget to bring your membership card!

8. Can I pay with my credit card?
Yes. All of our hostels accept Mastercard and Visa.

9. Should I make a reservation?
During the summer and on holidays reservations are essential for all of our hostels and should be made well in advance. Each hostel is busy at different times of the year, and it is always advisable to call ahead. The San Francisco hostels are very busy year-round. However, all hostels reserve a few beds each night for walk-ins. The easiest way to reserve is to call the hostel and confirm with your credit card. Please call the individual hostels directly for specific information on reservations, cancelations and refunds.

10. Are there laundry and kitchen facilities at the hostels?
All of our hostels provide self serve kitchen facilities. You will find plates, silverware, and pots, a refrigerator and a stove or microwave. At most of the hostels it is also possible to use laundry facilities, except at Pigeon Point, Point Reyes and Downtown San Francisco.

11. Do I have to bring sheets?
No, you can rent sheets (and towels, if needed) at the hostels. Clean sleeping bags are permitted at the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes hostels only.

12. Which of the hostels are wheelchair accessible?
Most of them are, except the Hidden Villa and SF-Downtown hostels.

13.Will I have to do chores?
Chores are little cleaning tasks that won’t take more than a few minutes to complete. At our rural hostels you will be asked to carry out a chore in the morning, after having had breakfast. Chores are traditional and strengthen the cooperative aspect of hostelling. You will see that they are fun to do, and they’ll leave you with a good feeling too!

14.Are there private rooms/ family rooms available?
All of our hostels provide some private rooms for couples and families.(The Point Reyes Hostel has only one private room which is reserved for people with a child aged 5 or younger.) However, in case all private rooms are booked, don’t be disappointed- you will get to share your room with interesting people from all over the world.

15.Can I bring a group to a hostel?
Groups are welcome to all of our hostels, but a reservation is required. Please visit our group facilities site for further information.

Write to us! hiayh@norcalhostels.org

Copyright (c) 1998 Hostelling International -- Golden Gate Council