HI San Francisco City Center
HI - San Francisco - City Center
685 Ellis St
94109 San Francisco
USA
Tel.
1 415 474 5721
Fax.
1 415 776 0775
Customer Rating
| 92% | ||
| 90% | ||
| 85% | ||
| 91% | ||
| 85% | ||
| 68% | ||
| 85% | ||
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.
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"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 | | 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 |
 | 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 |  | Green Hostel |
 | Rates include local tax |  | Cycle store at Hostel |
Customer Reviews HI - San Francisco - City Center
| 07 May 2013 Thea Indahl, Norway | 57% | |
| Bad neightborhood, but great value for money | ||
| 03 May 2013 Cheryl, USA | 90% | |
| I like the comfort, cleanliness and amenities of this hostel and choose it above others in better neighborhoods for these reasons. The beds are very comfortable and the linens and comforters are appealing and comfortable as well. I feel safe in this neighborhood and have made peace with the lifestyle of the homeless nearby. | ||
| 02 May 2013 Melanie, Germany | 70% | |
| Some staff wasn't too helpful, sometimes seemed like they didn't know what they are talking about (not all though!). The neighborhood is pretty dodgy, sometimes feels not safe. And why aren't the beds made up?! You even have to put on the fitted sheet yourself! Why??? | ||
| 21 Apr 2013 Darryl, USA | 97% | |
| Bunk was a little hard to get into. Could use a ladder. | ||
| 16 Apr 2013 Melva, USA | 100% | |
| I am 76 years old and travel on a budget. I stayed at san francisco-city center april 15,2013. H.I. made me feel welcome so I bought a senior membership. I will be staying at H.I. wherever I go. | ||
| 13 Apr 2013 Bogdan Florin, Germany | 67% | |
| The location of the hotel makes it one of the work I have ever stayed. I was afraid to come back later than 8:00PM. Very strange people around. Many homeless asking | ||
| 10 Apr 2013 Seulbi, South Korea | 93% | |
| This hostel is so nice... especially cleanliness and breakfast! | ||
| 07 Apr 2013 Jishnu, USA | 87% | |
| Overall, this is a great place if you are willing to stay in the Tenderloin area. In general, if you move around in a group OR are alone but are careful while in the area at nighttime, you should have no problem. The place itself is awesome and the staff is fantastic !! | ||
| 02 Apr 2013 William, USA | 97% | |
| very much enjoyed my stay at the City Center Hostel. the included breakfast is very good, but would be nice if you included a piece of fruit, like a banana or orange, although I understand for the price it's hard to do. my room was near the 2nd floor common area, so it was a bit loud when a group was out there in the afternoon and I was trying to take a nap, otherwise the room was fine, comfortable and clean. I wish the bathroons were a little bigger, but it's an old building, not much can be done there. staff was very good, helpful and efficient. thanks for a great stay! Oh, and the bed was too soft, sank down in it, would prefer a firm bed like most of the HI hostels | ||
| 02 Apr 2013 Ching Mei, Taiwan | 70% | |
| 1.Too noisy,the lounge is too close the room,and so is the kitchen! | ||
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