Latest News

How to Enjoy San Francisco on $20 a Day

Tee — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 16:44:32 +0000

Welcome to San Francisco! The City by the Bay is a wonderland of things to do, see, and eat, and even though it might have a reputation as a pricey destination, it’s actually a pretty friendly spot for a traveler on a budget. HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel helps visitors makes the most of their visit by offering a number of free or cheap activities, like neighborhood walking tours and taco dinner nights, so you can experience local highlights and get insider tips.

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things to do, budget travel, on a budget, test

Great Hostel Give Back

jessica — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 19:50:55 +0000

At HI USA, we believe in the power of travel to open minds and the power of community service to open hearts. Above all, we believe that these experiences should be rewarding – not costly. That's why, for the sixth consecutive year, we are offering groups across the country free overnight stays at HI USA hostels in January and February 2016 through our Great Hostel Give Back (GHGB) program.

What is GHGB?

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great hostel give back, Volunteering

5 Reasons We Love Point Reyes in Winter

Tee — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:35:23 +0000

While summer is great in many destinations, there are also places that reach peak epicness in the fall and winter. The Point Reyes National Seashore, about an hour north of San Francisco, is one such place, especially if you’re the type of person who loves being immersed in nature and among the beautiful plants and animals that make our planet a magical place.

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things to do, seasonal, winter, whale watching

Best Hikes in San Francisco

Tee — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 23:11:22 +0000

One of the best things about the Bay Area is its natural beauty and the many opportunities to escape the busy bustle of the city for a refreshing few hours amongst tall trees and breathtaking views. While you’re in town staying at HI San Francisco hostels, you might not have a car to take you up to the majestic Muir Woods or the network of trails in the Marin Headlands, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out on rejuvenating nature time.

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things to do, hikes, scenic

5 Epic Eateries within Walking Distance of HI Portland Hawthorne

Tee — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 18:59:07 +0000

One of the many reasons to love travel is because it’s an excellent excuse to eat well in the interest of understanding different cultures and places through food. From giant burritos in San Francisco, to that perfectly gooey giant slice of New York pizza, there are local treats all across the country that are worth getting on the road for. In Portland, Oregon, which is a bit of a foodie haven thanks to its sustainable locavore culture, there are not only bucket list-worthy eats to try, there are also a lot of quirky places to try them, like food carts and converted buses.

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Portland, things to do, Eat+Drink, where to eat

14 Historical Highlights of San Francisco’s Fort Mason

Tee — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 19:41:34 +0000

The City by the Bay has a rich and colorful history that reflects its melting pot population and role in California culture. When you stay at any of HI USA’s three hostels in San Francisco, you can get a taste of the city’s vibrant past on our free walking and bicycle tours and through interactions with hostel staff. However, when you stay at HI SF Fisherman’s Wharf, you get to be totally immersed in a slice of Bay Area history, as the hostel sits within a National Park that originally served as an army post for more than a century.

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History, explore

Bike San Francisco: Best of Biking in the Bay

Tee — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:54:18 +0000

One of the things to love about San Francisco is that, despite its reputation as a hilly city, it’s extremely bicycle friendly and you don’t need a car to get around. If you’re in town staying at any of HI USA’s hostels in San Francisco, a great way to experience the City by the Bay on two wheels is to join the Bike the Bridge tour offered every Tuesday.

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things to do, bicycle, Sightseeing, golden gate bridge

Karessa Goes to Colombia thanks to HI USA Scholarship

Tee — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 19:50:00 +0000

Karessa Irvin is a real traveler. That is, she is the type of traveler who seeks out hyperlocal experiences and gets to know people so she can better understand their cultures and find the similarities and embrace the differences between them. When she got the chance to travel to Colombia through the Princeton in Latin America program, which partners recent college graduates in the U.S. with non-profit, humanitarian organizations in Latin America, Karessa knew this was something she wanted to do.

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explore the world, travel scholarship

These are the Best Things about Marin Headlands in the Fall

Tee — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 18:47:32 +0000

While the rest of the country is saying goodbye to the dog days of summer, over at HI Marin Headlands things are only starting to warm up. The best kept secret in this little corner of California is the fall time, when the perpetual fog seems to finally retreat and the weather is just right for outdoor adventures. Here are four of our favorite reasons this cozy, welcoming hostel is perfect for the out-of-season traveler who isn’t quite ready to let go of the magic of summer just yet.

The Weather

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things to do, fall, hikes, outdoors, sleep for peace

Featured Traveler: James from Australia

Tee — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 17:53:08 +0000

The only thing better than getting to know a new city when you’re travelling is getting to know your fellow wanderers and the different places they are from. The absolute best part though, is discovering that despite whatever differences you may have – language, fashion sense, or taste in music – you almost certainly have a few things in common, like a shared love of adventure and new experiences.

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featured traveler, People