Locations

The Outdoor Hostel Adventures are offered at the following hostels, which are all based in coastal State or National Parks. Each location offers OHA Programs, including Land, Plants, & Animals; Humans & the Environment; Coastal Marine Ecology; and Guided Night Hikes.

HI Marin Headlands

Located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, HI Marin Headlands hostel provides convenient access to beaches, forests and rolling hills, as well as in-house amenities, like a fully equipped kitchen and spacious common room. The hostel is just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, which makes it a convenient, quick escape from San Francisco.
norcalhostels.org/marin

Bed Capacity:

Main House – Maximum of 82 people in dorms ranging from 4-22 bunk beds per room and 2 private room sleeping 1-5 people
Annex – Maximum of 25 people in a 6-bed dorm, two 5-person family rooms and three 3-person rooms

Programs:

The Marin Headlands is the ideal site for large gatherings including schools groups, Girl Scout troops, family reunions, social clubs or corporate outings. The Coastal Marine Ecology program often includes a trip to The Marine Mammal Center as well as trips to Rodeo and/or Black Sands Beach. Nearby Pt Bonita Lighthouse, Nike Missile Sites, Ft Cronkhite, and numerous batteries and bunkers offer valuable insight into the local human history of the area. In addition, the large range of nearby hiking trails provide an enriching opportunity to explore local flora and fauna and embark on day or night adventure hikes.

HI Point Montara Lighthouse

HI Point Montara Lighthouse hostel, which sits at the edge of the Pacific within the Point Montara Light Station State Historic Park, is an idyllic retreat and a convenient base for a wide range of outdoor recreation. Located just 25 miles south of San Francisco, the hostel accommodates guests in former Coast Guard quarters and the historic fog signal, making for a marvelous seaside adventure.
norcalhostels.org/montara

Bed Capacity:

Main Building – Six dorms ranging from 3-6 beds
Annex – Five 1-3 person private rooms and one 6-bed dorm

Programs:

With an evolving centralized garden space and historic lighthouse room, this hostel location is best suited for small to mid-size groups looking for dialogue facilitation, environmental workshops, and team-building activities. For groups specifically interested in tide-pooling, a trip to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve can be made with prior reservations, while Gray Whale Cove State Beach and Mount Montara at Montara State Beach offer incredible views along the San Mateo Coast.

HI Point Reyes

Providing the only non-camping accommodation within the Point Reyes National Seashore, HI Point Reyes hostel is protected from the outside world thanks to the coastal wilderness made up of beaches, marshlands, forests and riparian flora and fauna. The hostel has no Wi-Fi signal so guests get to really connect with the beautiful natural surroundings.
norcalhostels.org/reyes

Bed Capacity:

Main house – Two 8-bed dorms
Bunkhouse – Two 10-bed dorms
Private rooms – Four 5-person private rooms with one double bed and three bunk-style twin beds

Programs:

Point Reyes National Seashore offers a rustic landscape for guided night hikes and star-gazing far from the city lights. With Limantour Beach only a 2.5-mile hike from the hostel, there are many opportunities to explore local plants and (potentially) wildlife. From the beach, on a clear day there are unparalleled views of the Farallon Islands, home to one of the largest great white shark populations in North America.

HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse

HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse hostel in the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is extremely accessible to cove beaches, tidepools and excellent Pacific views from its oceanfront boardwalk. The hostel is also close to Butano State Park, Pescadero Marsh and Año Nuevo State Reserve.
norcalhostels.org/pigeon

Bed Capacity:

Houses – Maximum capacity of 30 guests in two houses with two 6-bed dorms and one private room that can sleep up to 3

Programs:

HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a popular spot for whale watching and star-gazing due to its environmentally friendly evening lighting system. This property caters best to smaller groups looking for naturalist-facilitated dialogue and workshops.