I stayed at this hostel and have mixed feelings about it. It's very well located, close to tourist areas like Fisherman's Wharf, with easy access to San Francisco's public bus system, making it convenient to explore the entire city by bus. The hostel is situated within a park, so the surroundings are beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Plus, there's a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the outside of the hostel. The rooms and bathrooms are adequately equipped, but the carpet and humidity can be problematic for people with allergies. Unfortunately, the bathroom beneath the cafeteria had a persistent, unpleasant odor of urine. While the staff is responsive when you approach them, I didn't feel the typical hostel vibe. The employees seemed preoccupied with their computers, and there wasn't much room for casual conversation. Overall, it's a decent option due to its location and views, but improvements in cleanliness and staff interaction would enhance the experience.

First time in this hostel in the incredible location of Fort Mason, an important former military garrison in San Francisco. In fact the most beautiful thing about this place is its history and the beautiful landscape. As for the hostel there are both positive and negative notes. The hostel is truly international, welcoming many people from all over the world. The style and decor inside is nice, the staff is friendly and quick to serve, all quite cheap. As for the rest, I was disappointed. Dorms too numerous, uncomfortable bed, too little security for luggage, poor cleaning of bathrooms and breakfast area. Breakfast has very little choice and the products are not the best. The bathrooms are all shared, there are no private bathrooms. I think it is not suitable for everyone, it has so much potential but it needs to be improved

Our first hostel experience and it was fantastic! The roughest part of course is the shared sleeping area (you can get stuck with a snorer, limited power outlets was a problem, being of course quiet in evenings when you are trying to get your stuff, etc...)- BUT, my complaints end there. The location itself in Fort Mason is STUNNING. Views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate from inside or a short walk for even better views. The Cafe Franco restaurant right inside is SUPER affordable and also has SUPER delicious breakfast sandwiches. The amenities everywhere here are great, plenty of seating, expansive kitchen, plenty of showers,, super friendly staff and love that there is someone there 24/7 for both security and if you ever need anything. We felt 100% safe the entire time and of course super affordable pricing.

This hostel is a great location for travellers, I spent a lot of time walking to nearby destinations. It's a 2-story hostel with rooms underground (side of a hill), and the staff felt very welcoming. The bathrooms need a little bit of renovation, not much privacy in there.

The good: The location is amazing right on the ocean, lots of parks within walking distance and a bike path runs right past that can take you all the way to the Golden Gate. The cost is very affordable especially compared to the alternatives, this was actually cheaper per night than my rent back home. Free parking. The HI in downtown does not have this and ends up being twice the cost if you have a car. The kitchen area was nice, nothing fancy though. The bad: I found the beds were pretty noisy wherever I moved. There was also no where on the top bunk to put my phone within arm's reach so I could set an alarm without risking walking everyone else in the room up. (Fortunately others in the room woke up before me.) Anything you want to charge has to be left on the floor too. Other HI hostels I've been did not have these issue. The showers were functional enough but they weren't amazing and I found them a bit difficult to set the water temperature on.

Such a wonderful experience for my first hostel stay! I absolutely love the location of this hostel and could see the Golden Gate Bridge from my window :) Ample storage, helpful staff, comfortable clean beds and free breakfast. I only wish there had been a few more social events on!

The hostel situated in a beautiful location, in the Fort Mason. I have seen from my room the Golden Gate Bridge. The parking is free, the staff is very friendly and helpful. There is a supermarket and a pub in the near. Unfortunatelly they don't service breakfast temporarily, it was a bit comfortless.

I'm only putting 3 stars because of the room/bed and bathrooms. Good location, nice staff, nice place and breakfast is fine. But the window curtain was just a piece of old fabric that doesn't do much. The mattress was so bad that I had back pain for 4 days, and was able to sleep only few hours per night because of it. The bunk bed was moving so much. The restrooms and showers need a refreshment. It's a shame because I really like the place but the pain and lack of sleep... Beds and mattresses need to be changed !

Very impressed with everything! Very friendly and competent staff. Nice breakfast and kitchen facilities.very clean rooms and bathrooms. Comfy beds.Plenty of secure parking. Best location in the city with great views and grounds. ( and i lived/ worked in SF for 10 years back 30 years ago) I wanted to say big thanks to the staff and organization! BRAVO!

The location is great. The view to Alcatraz is amazing. Also to the Golden Gate. The bedding is comfy. However, there's only 2 outlets on the whole room and they're not close to the beds. The beds of my room had no stairs, we have to climb the bed structure to get to the upper bed. The lockers are super small and don't fit a luggage bigger than a carry-on, actually almost didn't fit mine. No private lights, outlets or anything on the bed. In one of the days of my stay I was informed by the staff member that there was no more breakfast because the people ate everything and they were full. That's a lie because later that day a friend told me they putted more food on the kitchen a few minutes later. It was 8:20am. When I talked to the manager about it, he gave me a bad face and said there was nothing he could do about it. They also changed my friend from room to room 3 times in the 4 nights she was there.

The HI Hostel Fisherman’s Wharf (spoiler - it’s NOT in FW and that is a GREAT thing. The hostel is at beautiful Fort Mason) is just wonderful and if you are thinking of staying there, and get the opportunity, you really must! Unbelievable location (views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island etc etc), near many of the San Francisco places where you ought to be planning on spending time. The facilities are fabulous (large kitchen with every imaginable appliance and equipment, cheap laundry, an outside deck, a beautiful common room, a pool table and even a mini-movie theatre!) oh…there’s also free parking and a great free breakfast! The staff were really friendly, helpful and caring. We stayed for a week in a private room for 3 (double bed & single bunk above) with a view of Alcatraz & Angel Island. It was small but really cozy and spotlessly clean. Honestly, this place is fantastic and for the price you pay, in the part of town it’s in, it’s ridiculously great value. Go there.

Amazing location, if only it was a good place to sleep. Radiant heat comes on at night, extremely hot, even if turned down all the way. If anything or anyone touches it, severe burn. So the rooms are very muggy (only a couple of other people in my room, but feels like a hundred). Located in a military hospital from the 1800's. Staff tries to help, but seems to be a management issue. Prepaid, but looking for another place to stay, rather waste my money than my health.

This have been the best hostel I have been so far, and I’ll explain why. The room where I stayed was clean and spacious, the bed was super comfortable (I slept like a baby) the area where I was had a small kitchen, fridge and a few other appliances so I didn’t have to go far. There are several areas to hangout as well as multiples showers all around the hostel. The big kitchen is like an industrial kitchen. The staff is friendly and helpful. I totally recommend to stay here, you will thank you!

Really amazing location, however the hostel is too basic for the price. I don't know if this is just American hostels, but it was like camping. The facilities are really basic - no privacy curtain on the ends and not even a light or charger near the bed. The beds are not comfortable at all and the showers are quite open. No sociable experience, everyone was very strange and you can't even drink alcohol in the hostel

Same as every other HIs, great location and lots of travel information and friends to make. We stayed in a private room for three days this time which is real small but cozy. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge from right outside of the hostel which is amazing. Breakfast are frozen pancakes, toast, and boiled eggs. Better than nothing. There was a group of loud teenage girls next door that kinda downgraded our experience. The only complaint is that there is no enough shower rooms and the shower head was not installed correctly for the hot water to come out normally.

After reading the postive reviews I was quite surprised at the quality here. I stayed here for several nights and had a poor experience. Many issues with facilities not working- many of the sinks in the kitchen as well as the water fountain. Our key did not work to open the main door which meant we had to knock and be let in every evening. The bed mattresses are uncomfortable and seem to be quite old, a large divit in the middle from long periods of use. There are few powerpoints in the room making it difficult to charge your phone overnight. There are no curtains on the beds for any privacy. The staff were largely unhelpful for us. We had an issue with another resident in the room playing music on full blast on his phone from 11pm onwards who refused to stop. When we alerted staff we were told "good luck". The breakfast offered us only toast and apples. The hostel also hosted two schools and a girl scout group while we were there, so it is not a great place to stay if you enjoy a quiet kitchen. It also had many residence in their 50-70s. This isn't a problem, but is worth knowing in advance if you want to socialise with a younger crowd. On the positive, the place is an excellent location and the 24hr reception is very convenient. I have stayed in hostels all over the world and was shocked at how little we received for the price paid.

Most weird experience in this hostel with dirty rooms, inconfortable mattress, the heater was making really loud sounds and whistling due to a pression problem but the staff didn't want to bother with it and was really not nice. Showers equipment are closer to a prison setup than to an hostel with only a curtain used as a wall to separate the showers and the faucet falling in your hand. People in the hostel were really strange too, almost no-one talking to each other. I wouldn't recommend.

Terrible stay. Most of the cookers in the kitchen were broken, along with 3 of the sinks and one of the female showers. No breakfast as advertised. There were blood stains on the bedsheets. Our room was advertised as a standard queen room which it was not, it was very small with a standard double. The first room we were in had a completely see through blind sheet not blocking out any light (instead of curtains as shown in the photos). Second room had a curtain but again very small and the windows rattled. It is supposed to be quiet hours after 11pm however the dorm next to us were screaming loud. I had to get out of bed and ask reception twice to ask them to be quiet. There was no mirror in the room which would have been handy to do make up in the room. Someone said the hostel has just reopened however it seems maybe they shouldn’t be open yet if they are not ready with lots of things broken and not available as advertised.

Awesome place to stay. Came with my wife and baby, got a private room because of the baby. People were nice and the cafe was convenient for late snacks. Atmosphere was quiet. Great view from our room of Alcatraz and the Golden gate bridge. Never stayed at a hostel before, would definitely stay here again.

This place was awesome. It's quite right near fisherman's wharf. Clean and safe. They give you a free parking voucher the only thing I didn't like was the parking is not right at the building so you can't see your car. I stayed for 3 days and it was great. The kitchen has everything you need if you want to cook and there are plenty of place to walk to for food and things to do.

Excellent location. Building very well maintained. Great staff.View of Alcatraz through the window.

Just returned from a week at HI Fishermans wharf. The staff were so friendly and couldnt do enough for us. We had 25 students and they had an amazing time there, there are many good facilities, they loved playing pool and there was enough space for them cook group meals, pancakes in the morning and full english breakfast. Will return again

Nicely run, eco traveller friendly hostel. Well thought design. Different room options. Spacious common areas. Movies, breakfast, wood burner… makes your stay feel accompanied. Everything was clean and well kept. Super friendly, helpful, and cool staff. Would highly recommend even if you are not a budget traveller, especially if you are traveling solo.

Didn't stay there this time but dropped information a visit. Stayed in the past and very good experience. Amazing setting on S.F. Bay!

Stayed here a couple times. Last time a year ago while seeing my Dr. At UCSF medical center. Staff is very friendly and helpful. They also have some private rooms if you are not into a dorm room. Hope they open soon so i can plan a trip to have fun instead of a Dr. Visit it is close to golden gate and fishermans wharf worth the trip for those near and far!!!

Overall had a great experience the staff was very helpful and very accommodating as well. The place was located in a great area where you get a view of the Golden gate bridge and it has a park right in front which is always a plus for me. You got to serve your own breakfast and wash your own dishes which I found to be unique. They are very aware of there carbon footprint so they have compost, recycling and trash Bing all over the place. The room I stayed in only had 2 plugs to charge my any devices. They have a room where you can keep your bike if you have one or if you decide to rent one. When I got there they gave me need sheet to put on myself which I liked, in all the bed was clean and comfortable, in all I'd definitely recommend this place!

I have to say this was one of the best places where I had to stay during my USA trip. I would not change anything about this place. It has great staff, it's nice and clean. Location is great, on the top of the hill and with quick access to the piers bellow and in walking distance to most of the important places in the city. Highly recommended for stay in SF.

I spent two nights here in a 20-bunk bed bedroom. The position is super quiet and safe, great look over the Golden Gate just by walking outside of the building. I had breakfast included and there are many facilities inside the building, plus lockers and luggage room. I would definitely check-in again were I to go back to San Francisco again. Maybe it is expensive to be an hostel, but it is in line with what an hotel or private apartment would cost you in the city

Most amazing place I have been coming here since 1996, I have met numerous of people from all over the world, It's like dorm life and there's so much to do you can either go to fisherman's wharf or you can walk or ride your bike to the Golden Gate bridge.

Great location in the San Francisco Bay area. Very clean and the staff was very polite. Unfortunately the top bunk beds have a curved bar that basically makes a hole in the middle of the mattress. There is no ladder to climb to the top of the bed so you have to monkey yourself to the top and the lockers are below the bunk bed hence very uncomfortable to reach. Bathrooms were very clean.

Used to live in the city and came back to visit. This is definitely the best for a cheap place to stay that's clean and in a safe location. Staff was friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Also- FREE PARKING

We enjoyed our stay here SO much! Place is clean and very well run. Staff was extremely nice with my daughter and super patient. We recommend this place for anyone traveling to San Francisco.

So grateful for this place! I booked a room at PodShare, only to be turned out on the street once I arrived as their system errored and did not see my payment, even though it charged on my card… Anyway, I’m super grateful that the staff was able to let me book a stay even though it was past midnight, and for a reasonable cost too!

Came here a couple days ago and have been loving it ever since! Fantastic amenities, friendly staff, welcoming environment, beautiful nature, and just overall amazing experience! 9.8/10!my Room facing the sea

Just 🧐 the BEST Hostel in SFO for sure. Distribution inside is very good 👍🏽. Bathrooms and 🚿 are good, Kitchen as well. The history of the place👌🏽awesome, congrats Hi for taking care of this place …

Hidden gem at fisherman’s warf. Lots of changes since the pandemic but still best bargain in the city if you don’t mind hostels. This one is in the National Parks and closely monitored head and shoulders above any other hostel I’ve stayed in. Great staff and international clientele.

Perfect location with very nice rooms and facilities. The staff is super friendly and helpful, probably the best place to stay in SF.

To start with the location: you have fantastic views of the Golden Bridge (don't miss the sunset!) and Alcatraz, but it is a bit far away from downtown with restaurants, bars, etc. But if you have a car, this is an advantage, as you can park for free (ask at the reception). Lots of free day activities, like free walking tours (do not miss the hills/downtown walking tour on Friday morning! One of the best free tours I have experienced!). A bit quite in the evenings. Free (basic) breakfast. The facilities are good, could use a bit improvement (like bathrooms, number of plugs in the rooms, windows, etc.)

Amazing experience. Hosts were super cool and got some pretty good tips for the city. Rooms and bathrooms were clean. The kitchen has many stuff to cooked by yourself. The breakfast is simple but effective. The location is just perfect. The only little thing is, beds are really really to soft. Thank you for hosted us!

What a great place, what a great view, what a great stay! Nice staff, super clean HI! Superb historic building. Surrounded by a great park (trees, birds, silence, peace). Note: YOU DON'T NEED THE HI membership. The HI is on federal land, you don't need to pay for a membership.

this review is from when I stayed here in 2013, it was great I stayed in a room with four other young guys. Daily tariff was $32.00 US a night. I suppose it's the high season because of the time of year spring etc. I really enjoyed my time at this hostel always enjoyed the interactions with the staff. I remember the first time watching the video and seeing Lisa and hoping to run into her when I came, but that wasn't to be the young woman had move on. loved the view from there Golden Gate Bridge and and the famous Rock etc

It was a really good ! Very great place, with amazing Golden Gates Bridge and Alcatraz view from my room. Near to almost everything nice. And the top of that, incredible service ! Everyone was really nice, thumbs up to Sage, Kevin and Dee, which I be able to speak to, and they are super friendly, give great advice and help you with everything. Sometimes it's just chatting but, hey, that's part of the trip !