Hostels in San Francisco & California | Travel Guide

California – the land of surf, sun and sand but also mountain ranges, glittering cities, primeval forests and vast desert. A popular route starts in the south and heads to northern California along the Big Sur which hugs the coastline.

At San Francisco, you have the opportunity to cut inland to explore Yosemite National Park, the ghost towns of the Gold Country and the giant trees in Sequoia. Follow the route on a California map and you’ll notice you’ll be covering huge distances. If you have any hope of cramming all this into your tour of California, you’ll need to keep to a budget. And that means cheap hostels.
 
Stay in dorm rooms, and you’ll notice how much longer your money will last. A youth hostel offers plenty of other cheap travel perks. Guests have access to self-catering facilities, so you are free to cook your own meals or pack a lunch instead of eating three meals out a day. Check for hostels that offer free breakfast. Joining hostel events can be a cheap night out — or in.

A backpacker hostel beats any budget motel in California — or San Fran hotels — by offering a more intimate atmosphere where you can meet like-minded travelers. Hostels often organize pub crawls, free city tours, movie nights or comedy nights. Since they accommodate budget travelers, they can also suggest some good budget places to eat, drink and visit.
 
San Diego
San Diego offers a pleasant mix of beaches (42), parks and museums. The Gaslamp District is the place for coffee culture, art galleries, antique shops and San Diego nightlife.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo has more than 4,000 animals to discover. There are a number of San Diego beaches to check out. Ocean Beach was Hell’s Angels’ territory in the 1960s and is still a fun place for surfing or browsing second-hand music shops.

If you’re looking for San Diego hostels within easy reach of good nightlife, try USA Hostels San Diego. It’s a really sociable hostel with plenty of events for you to meet other backpackers. Alternatively HI-San Diego (in the Gaslamp district offers both private and dorm rooms with a free pancake breakfast thrown in to the deal. Join a free city tour, or stay in and relax at the hostel’s movie night.
 
LA
Despite being a star-studded city renowned for its ties to Hollywood, there are plenty of places for the budget traveler to soak up the atmosphere.

Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach offer prime people-watching opportunities, with skateboarders, body builders and garish tourists lapping up the glorious California weather.

It won’t cost you a penny to see the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where over 2,000 names pave the way. For a fun and cheap alternative to the usual LA tourist attractions check out the Museum of Jurassic Technology for curious collections and unfathomable discoveries. Once you’ve had your fill of LA city life, pack a picnic and hit one of 20 beaches along the coast.
 
When you hunt for a hostel, Los Angeles offers budget accommodation in the city center. Many are also close to the beach. You won’t get closer to the stars than at USA Hostels Hollywood, just minutes from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They offer a host of freebies, too, including a novel "all-you-can-make" pancake and oatmeal breakfast, free comedy nights and a beach shuttle bus.

Fancy a room by the sea? Los Angeles Surf City Hostel is just a few steps from Hermosa Beach, and many of the rooms have ocean views. They offer free body boards, and there are plenty of beach activities to try — including beach volleyball and surfing.
 
Santa Barbara
Further north, you’ll reach the charming and picturesque town of Santa Barbara. Sandwiched between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this is a stunning backdrop for the fine architecture and down-to-Earth population.

Its five colleges and universities help keep Santa Barbara lively and youthful. Here, you can enjoy boutique shopping, the beautifully manicured gardens at Santa Barbara Mission, or the local wineries in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the tourist office, where you can pick up maps of Santa Barbara wineries.

It’s the only Santa Barbara hostel in town, but the Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel is just a few steps from the beach and the main thoroughfare along State Street. You can also rent bikes and surfboards from the hostel.
 
Santa Cruz
The fun and liberal town of Santa Cruz, located near Monterey Bay, is a university town with a pleasant buzz. Wander the vintage boardwalk and admire the surfers’ tricks, or head into the hills. There’s a colorful local farmers’ market on Wednesday afternoons — perfect for picking up budget snacks and food.

AAE Santa Cruz Ocean Pacific Hotel is a cheap hotel within walking distance of the popular boardwalk, and they offer a free breakfast, air-conditioning and a swimming pool.
 
San Francisco
This bustling city is known for its great nightlife and gourmet restaurants. Typical San Francisco weather may include fog, or sun, and everything in between.

While you're here, take a ferry to the infamous Alcatraz Island prison. Catch a glimpse of a baseball game through the free peeping hole located behind the right field at the AT&T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants. It won’t be hard to find a good view; with so many hills nearby.

Next, why not try your hand at some Lindy hop? Head to Golden Gate Park on a Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and join a free beginners session. Or why not walk across the famous Golden Gate Bridge?
 
You can find a great selection of San Francisco hostels in the center of town. With a free breakfast, a games room and city tour, USA Hostels San Francisco has plenty of freebies for backpackers.

Alternatively, Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse is right on the border of Little Italy and China Town, so there's plenty of cheap eats around dinner time.

Finishing your California tour in San Francisco means you are ideally situated to catch a flight from San Francisco airport.
 
Yosemite
You’ve experienced life on the road, California’s major cities and beach life. Now it’s time to explore the dramatic natural landscape in one of America’s most popular national parks.

Yosemite is a Unesco World Heritage Site — about a 4-hour drive east of San Francisco and about 5 hours from Lake Tahoe. The major sights include Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan. Try hiking the John Muir Trail, taking in the Merced River. Then head up to the top of the Nevada Fall, which is about a 2.7 mile hike and suitable for most fitness levels.

Lake Tahoe
Some of California's best ski resorts are found in Lake Tahoe, which also has plenty of casinos nearby. Cal Lodge is great for those looking to enjoy some winter sports. It’s just 5 minutes from the ski resort, offering discounted lift tickets, free gear rental and a free 2-hour ski lesson.

If you are visiting in the summer months, travelers might prefer the swimming pool at Tahoe Inn. They offer private rooms with air-conditioning. The inn is close to nice beaches, river rafting and horseback riding activities.