San Francisco City Center (California)

This hostel is rare among U.S. hostels in that it is clean, polite, and affordable---and welcomes Americans. The staff are patient and without the typical I-work-in-a-hostel-and-you-don't attitude. Also they are sincere about improving their hostel so don't be shy about filling out the evaluation form after your stay. They welcome feedback.

Also placing them in the special stay column is the fact that guests are not required to book online or stiffed with a rip-off key deposit, AND fellow Americans, irregardless of skin colour or age, can buy a stay.

My room was nice and the bathroom (every room contains one) contained a bath tub! Sometimes the travelling body just wants a hot soak and such was certainly the case the weekend I visited the Golden City. The bed was one of the best in which I've ever slept...so cozy, so snuggly, so un-squeaky. Whoa!

The one minus to staying here is their no-alcohol policy.

If it were run by a religious order or in a conservative, god-fearing town, then I could understand the dry policy but in holy hippy San Francisco?!


Other than that I had such a relaxing stay that I was moved to buy a Hostelling International membership ($28) direct from the Front Desk. With free breakfast, upstanding furnishings, three shelves of book exchanges, and interesting travellers passing through the Golden City, I cannot say enough good things about San Francisco City Center.


415.474.5721
685 Ellis Street
SFCityCenter@NorCalHostels.org