Latest News

Uncovering the Hidden Arts and Culture of Fort Mason

jessica — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 22:21:58 +0000

If You Go

Stay at HI San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf. Housed inside a reimagined army hospital within the grounds of the Fort Mason national park site, the hostel's a little green oasis in the middle of the city. It's also an easy stroll from all of the destinations mentioned in this post!

By Marguerite Richards

Fort Mason, the historic waterfront park that’s home to HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf, is a maze of winding paths, rows of repurposed military barracks, and grassy knolls. Thanks to its Bay views and urban oasis feel, the park is a favorite escape for locals and visitors alike. But even for the San Franciscans who frequent this place, I recently discovered there’s a bit of mystery to be found.

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Arts, Food + Drink, Outdoor, culture

Out and About in Oakland Part I: Lake Merritt

jessica — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 00:18:02 +0000

If You Go

Gather some new friends at HI SF City Center, HI SF Downtown, or HI SF Fisherman's Wharf, and ask the friendly front desk staff for directions to your nearest BART station!

By Marguerite Richards

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." This is the infamous Mark Twain quote the locals will tease you with when you've arrived in shorts and skirts, prepared for a warm weather in San Francisco. Our chilly, often foggy, San Francisco days can catch visitors off guard.

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Oakland, day trips, Food + Drink

Exploring Sausalito, Tech-Free and on a Budget

jessica — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:47:33 +0000

If You Go

Stay at HI-Marin Headlands. Located on a beautiful piece of National Park land overlooking the San Francisco Bay, the Headlands are just a bicycle ride or easy drive away from Sausalito.

By Marian Schembari

I first traveled through Europe with nothing but a few torn pages from Lonely Planet, meaning I spent a lot of time getting lost and discovering hidden gems. But Today, whenever I travel, "fear of missing out" requires I bring a smartphone so I don't "miss anything."

But instead, I end up navigating, nose to the screen, missing everything.

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Sausalito, food+drink, budget travel

Get Friendly With the Locals Over a Home-Cooked Meal in SF

jessica — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 06:17:40 +0000

If You Go

Keep meeting new friends when you stay at one of our three San Francisco hostels

By Marguerite Richards

“Food is a thing that brings us together. It’s emotional,” said our chef, Rahul Dharod, as I sipped on the strangely satisfying masala soda drink. I felt energized. This couple, who had started as strangers, filled my belly with spice and my heart with a warm welcome.

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Food + Drink, budget travel

Action For Nature: In search of International Young Eco Heroes

Fiume — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:49:43 +0000

More Info

Action For Nature

Application Deadline: February 28, 2015

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Outdoor

A Hostel Home for the Holidays

jessica — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:29:31 +0000

You don’t have to be home for the holidays to feel the love this time of year. As anyone who’s ever spent Thanksgiving on the road, Christmas with strangers, or New Year’s Eve in a foreign land can attest, it’s often the people you’re with who make the season bright. And when you spend a holiday in a hostel, you may just find yourself forming a spontaneous family with whoever’s around, celebrating and laughing with new friends you’ve never met.

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holidays

Check Off Your Holiday List Like a Local in SF

jessica — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 23:23:36 +0000

If You Go

Stay at one of our three San Francisco hostels.

What’s better than giving loved ones the perfect holiday gift? Giving a gift with a story! If you’re traveling to San Francisco this season, don’t just settle for bringing home cliché souvenirs: instead, scoop up locally made, SF-inspired goodies for friends, family, and yourself. Read on for our guide to unique, budget-friendly stocking stuffers with travel tales to tell.

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holidays, winter, Shopping

101 Ways to Recreate in the Marin Headlands - Part IV

jessica — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:19:53 +0000

If You Go

Stay at HI-Marin Headlands

The year 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service (NPS), and though we're still a couple years away from the centennial our friends at the NPS are already excited! As a lead-up to the organization's big birthday, our friends from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) have put together a list of 101 Ways to Recreate in the Golden Gate. And we liked their list so much, we decided to put together our own!

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Outdoor, Hiking

Give Back and Stay Free at HI USA Hostels this Winter

jessica — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:07:46 +0000

At HI USA, we firmly believe that travel has the power to transform. Meeting new friends from other cultures, participating in the customs of an unfamiliar country or city, and integrating ourselves into the local community are irreplaceable experiences, and ones that help us to better understand the world around us. And the most rewarding travel experiences of all are those that allow us to affect the communities we visit just as positively as they do us.

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Volunteering, great hostel give back, Community Service

On Dec. 10, Join HI USA in Supporting Coastal Access for All

jessica — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 20:23:44 +0000

If your life has been positively affected by a hostel stay; if your favorite memories revolve around the ocean; if you believe the beauty of California's coastline belongs to everyone, Hostelling International USA needs your support. On Dec. 10, HI USA will be participating in a workshop with the California Coastal Commission, discussing the use of Commission funds for current and future investment in affordable accommodations along the California Coastline. And we want our loyal hostellers at our side when we get there.

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Events