San Francisco City Center Hostel
HI - San Francisco - City Center
685 Ellis St
94109 San Francisco
USA
Tel.
1 415 474 5721
Fax.
1 415 776 0775
Customer Rating
| 91% | |
| 90% | |
| 84% | |
| 90% | |
| 86% | |
| 70% |
Vintage is in, and HI San Francisco City Center hostel has all the charm and character that goes with it. Once the Atherton Hotel, 1920s details accent the hostel's more modern amenities: Mingle with other travellers in Ivy’s Place, a former speakeasy serving beer, wine, and snacks nightly. Connect to the free WiFi in our marble-tiled lobby, or relax in a common room on the mahogany-railed mezzanine. For many a weary traveller, the best feature of all is the full, private bathroom in every room -- including dorms!
Off the beaten tourist path but still close to it all, the City Center Hostel is between the gritty Tenderloin district and the clean marble columns of the city's Civic Center and arts districts. The neighbourhood is a hub for some of the city's best cheap cuisine as well as great nightclubs and music venues, big and small. Close to public transit, the hostel’s central location makes a very convenient base for exploring the city.
The City Center hostel organises free and cheap activities for guests, they have you covered for pub crawls, walking tours, museum visits, and day trips to places like Muir Woods, wine country, or Yosemite.
Ivy's Place -- the Prohibition-era speakeasy downstairs -- no longer sells moonshine, but we more than make up for it with free continental breakfast, plus $1 all-you-can-eat pancakes or eggs, each morning. Other amenities include free linens and towels, daily housekeeping, and a full professional-grade kitchen.
--------------------
"Stylish, newly renovated digs near alternative clubs and the city's best affordable restaurants." --Collegian magazine
"A sensational base camp for an assault on the city." --Lonely Planet
"A spiffy new hostel… It's friendly, funky, and California cool: good for meeting other travelers, since there are plenty of activities laid on." --Rough Guide
Off the beaten tourist path but still close to it all, the City Center Hostel is between the gritty Tenderloin district and the clean marble columns of the city's Civic Center and arts districts. The neighbourhood is a hub for some of the city's best cheap cuisine as well as great nightclubs and music venues, big and small. Close to public transit, the hostel’s central location makes a very convenient base for exploring the city.
The City Center hostel organises free and cheap activities for guests, they have you covered for pub crawls, walking tours, museum visits, and day trips to places like Muir Woods, wine country, or Yosemite.
Ivy's Place -- the Prohibition-era speakeasy downstairs -- no longer sells moonshine, but we more than make up for it with free continental breakfast, plus $1 all-you-can-eat pancakes or eggs, each morning. Other amenities include free linens and towels, daily housekeeping, and a full professional-grade kitchen.
--------------------
"Stylish, newly renovated digs near alternative clubs and the city's best affordable restaurants." --Collegian magazine
"A sensational base camp for an assault on the city." --Lonely Planet
"A spiffy new hostel… It's friendly, funky, and California cool: good for meeting other travelers, since there are plenty of activities laid on." --Rough Guide
Hostel bed capacity
| Beds per room: |  |
 |
 |
Total beds |
| Number of rooms: | 8 | 36 | 5 | 185 |
Opening times
| Opening times (daily/weekly): | 24 hrs |
| Opening times (over the year): | All Year |
Street Map and Route Planning
Directions
| Bus: | From the Greyhound Station at San Francisco's Temporary Transbay Terminal, exit and turn right on Folsom. Take your first right onto Beale and walk 1 block. Cross Howard, and find the MUNI bus #38 bus stop at the northeast corner of Howard and Beale. Take the MUNI bus #38 to Geary and Larkin Streets. Cross Geary to walk south on Larkin for 2 blocks, then turn left on Ellis. The hostel is the first building on your right. |
| Metro: | BART or MUNI: Get off at the Civic Center Station, and exit the station using the UN Plaza exit. Walk across the plaza towards City Hall (the large domed building) and turn right on Larkin Street. Walk 5 blocks north on Larkin, then turn right on Ellis Street. The hostel is the first building on the righthand side. |
| Parking: | Park in the loading zone in front of the hostel; front desk staff will direct you to permanent parking nearby. Expect to pay $10 per 12 hours. |
| Location: | Four blocks from Civic Center Plaza; walking distance to Union Square, Chinatown, SoMa, and cable cars. |
| Rail: | The nearest Amtrak train station is in Emeryville, but Amtrak offers connecting bus service to San Francisco. When you purchase your train ticket, select "San Francisco - Civic Center" as your final destination. From the Civic Center bus stop, walk west across UN Plaza towards City Hall (the large domed building) and turn right on Larkin Street. Walk 5 blocks north on Larkin, then turn right on Ellis Street. The hostel is the first building on the righthand side. |
| Airport: | BY BART: Take a BART train from the airport to the Civic Center station. (Trains run 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, 6 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays.) Exit the station using the UN Plaza exit. Walk across the plaza towards City Hall (the large domed building) and turn right on Larkin Street. Walk 5 blocks north on Larkin, then turn right on Ellis Street. The hostel is the first building on the righthand side. BY SHUTTLE: Lorrie's Airport Service offers a discounted rate of $14 per person for shuttle service between San Francisco International Airport and HI-San Francisco hostels. Contact the hostel for more information and reservations. BY TAXI: There are usually plenty of private taxis available at the airport. Look for an official taxi stop outside the baggage claim. A ride from SFO to the hostel will set you back about $50. |
Attractions
 | Cultural centre nearby | | Museums/art galleries nearby |
| City centre location | | Historical sites nearby |
| Main attractions nearby | | Swimming pool at or near hostel |
| Nightlife nearby | | Restaurants nearby |
| Shopping centre/market nearby | | Hostel with a difference |
| Leisure facilities nearby | | Meet other travellers! Read their tips for things to do in HI - San Francisco - City Center |
Facilities
 | Discounts and concessions available |  | Family rooms available |
 | Suitable for wheelchair users |  | Breakfast in price |
 | Hostel open 24h |  | Lift |
 | TV room |  | Self-catering kitchen |
 | Groups welcome |  | Common room(s) |
 | Sheets in price |  | Travel/Tour bureau |
 | Cycle rental available at or near the hostel |  | Internet access |
 | Credit card accepted |  | Café/Bar |
 | Currency exchange at or near hostel |  | Individual traveller welcome |
 | Luggage Store |  | Lockers available |
 | Non smoking room/area |  | Basic store available at or near the hostel |
 | Rates include local tax |  | Cycle store at Hostel |
Customer Reviews HI - San Francisco - City Center
| 29 Jan 2012 Eric, USA | 87% | |
| Room smells sweaty as always. I don't know why so many of the guys just sleep on the mattress cover without using the sheets, ugh. But, I just sleep in that room. | ||
| 16 Jan 2012 Milton, USA | 83% | |
| I was impressed by how quickly the staff responded to an urgent matter--the shower water knob fell off as I was using it, and needed to be replaced. I reported the problem to the front desk, and was promised a quick repair. "Quick" isn't what describes the time it took--"instantaneous" might be too generous, but within two hours, the new knob was installed. | ||
| 05 Jan 2012 Suzanne, Australia | 100% | |
| I throughly enjoyed my week at City Centre hostel, the staff were friendly and helpful, I enjoyed my breakfast and the tacos we had one night, I will recommend your hostel to all my students. | ||
| 04 Jan 2012 Mei-Ying, USA | 93% | |
| it is nice place to stay for a while break and I really introduce some one to stay their. | ||
| 27 Dec 2011 Anaclara, Mexico | 93% | |
| It is very confortable, its close to everything even though the area its not so nice. I loved the china town tour! | ||
| 26 Dec 2011 Wing Sze, Hong Kong | 90% | |
| It would be great if there is free wifi in bedrooms apart from the lobby. | ||
| 11 Dec 2011 Sarah, USA | 77% | |
| I had a great stay, thank you! | ||
| 04 Dec 2011 Alpesh, United Arab Emirates | 100% | |
| i will be coming back to the same place for staying.thank you | ||
| 03 Dec 2011 Samuel, USA | 97% | |
| Everything inside was nice. Too many crackheads outside and in the neighborhood. | ||
| 23 Nov 2011 Jeroen, Netherlands | 90% | |
| I really like this hostel as it is in a beautiful old building. And although. The only downside is maybe its location. However, it only takes about 10 minutes walk to the BART/MUNI and from there it is easy to reach the rest of the city an bay area. For me, this was not a problem at all. | ||
Top Hostels in USA
Who else will be there?
Build friendships – before you even get thereConnect with other travellers
