Hostelling International Point Reyes Hostel

Man I wanted to like this place. But it sucked The people that work here were jerks to us, and they kept switching things — like which kitchen was in use, which meant hours before we could get our food from the no-​longer-​in-​use kitchen. Common spaces were a bummer too. Only stay here if you plan on being gone all day and night and you just need a place to sleep. And if you don;t mind if everyone you talk to is disorganized and a jerk.
Note I was here as a family, which my well behaved 5 year old. We won’t be back.

This hostel exceeded expectations! It is in a beautiful location (breathtaking at nights of clear skies), with easy car access to Point Reyes Station. The room I stayed in was spacious and very clean. The hostel’s staff was accommodating to my group, and we all felt really lucky to spend time there and wake up with such a gorgeous views.
Will definitely come back, great stay!

Our cohousing group had a great time at Pt Reyes Hostel. We spent two nights. The accommodations were as comfortable as dorms can be – good mattresses, etc. The host on duty was great. It was fun interacting with other guests as well. And Pt Reyes is fabulous for wildlife and hiking. (It’s a bit of a slog to get there by bicycle, but there was a guest who had done just that!)

What an amazing stay! We were a group of 20 people staying at the Pt. Reyes Hostel for a work summit/​training. The location is absolutely gorgeous, with breathtaking views. The staff was kind enough to rent out the entire private house to our big group and use the space as our meeting space for two and a half days. The location of the hostel is in a quiet, somewhat secluded area, but the town of Point Reyes Station is a just a few minutes drive (if you were to need to run and buy anything), and Limantour Beach is a short walk from the hostel, where you can have a bonfire.
The hostel has a clean, well-​equipped, spacious kitchen with indoor seating as well as a beautiful outdoor seating area. The beds and rooms were very clean and in great condition. The staff is very warm and welcoming, and was more than accommodating to this large group of folk! We were so grateful to the staff at the HI Point Reyes hostel, the stay was truly amazing. We loved it so much, we wished we could have stayed longer! Absolutely would recommend this hostel if you are looking for a clean, quiet, comfortable, and magical place to stay in the area.

Best hostel experience I’ve ever had! The area is beautiful, and the staff are extremely attentive. The front desk attendant, Nancy, surprised us with homemade cookies. She really made our stay worthwhile. If you enjoy hiking, relaxation, and a friendly environment, visit Point Reyes Hostel (:

We spent a night in a private room in the new LEED certified building at the Point Reyes Hostel. Quiet, comfortable, clean. Lovely secluded location. Attached kitchen was well-​equipped and comfy. Nice bathroom and separate shower room. They recycle and compost everything — yippee! Main building also had a kitchen for use, but we used the one in the private room building. Main building also has a community room, though it’s rather small and, though it had some comfy couches and chairs, it didn’t have a table suitable for board games (although they had a lot of games and reading material to choose from). We used the coffee table/​couches in the private room building. We were told the private room would sleep 3 (bunk bed with single on top and double on bottom), but the room also had an additional set of single bunk beds, so we had plenty of room and could have fit 5 people. Don’t forget to bring spices/​oils/​butter/​dressings, etc. for cooking/​eating.
We only spent one night and wished we had time to spend a couple days, or a week. There’s plenty of hiking trails and beaches to explore! Definitely take a day to head to the Point Reyes Lighthouse (be forewarned, the lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can still explore around the area, you just can’t walk down to and then up into the lighthouse).
Also be forewarned, food in Point Reyes Station and Inverness Park is frightfully expensive. Bring as much as you can with you.

Hands down quite easily the best, most magical, and positive hostel that I’ve ever stayed in. The location is sublime, nestled and tucked neatly into Pointe Reyes National Shoreline, the air combined with the mile drive to Limatour Beach leaves this reviewer in complete reverence and gratitude for the experience.

Yeah, we really just LOVED this hostel. It’s at the top of our list for favorite hostels to stay at and we have stayed at many.
I stayed in the girls dorm in the main house and my boyfriend and friend stayed in the boys dorm in the main house as well.
When we checked in the lovely lady was very helpful and thorough in her explanations of how this particular hostel works.
We were able to use the kitchen along with many others as it is spacious and well supplied. The dining area is very cute and there are also nice outside areas to sit.
We had a great time chatting with many of the guests that evening and made some good friends for sure. The beds are super cozy. I believe they are tempurpedic mattresses with a vinyl covering. Which I am not a fan of vinyl but it works well here and can be easily cleaned! My bunk bed did squeak though (the first one on the left going in on the bottom) when I moved. That should be fixed.
Otherwise, a very comfortable, well stocked, very nicely decorated and just all around great hostel.
We would LOVE to come back here again and again.

Ugh, that frickin hill biking outta there was a beast! But they gave me a $ 2 discount for getting there by bike. Plus, staff were friendly, spaces were pleasant, and guests were warm.

Came here for 2 nights & really enjoyed the stay. 2 nights is abit too short, though. 3 or more would have been optimal if your driving is more than 1.5 hours one-​way.
I stayed at the female bunks. On the 1^st nite it was half occupied but i didnt’ sleep a wink. I’m just a very hypersensitive sleeper. No caffeine so wasn’t sure why i just lay there for hours. If you’re a light sleeper, highly suggest bringing earplugs. They also sell foam plugs at the reception desk.
There are 4 bunk beds so a total of 8 beds. I’m not sure if the mattress size is a twin; it’s been awhile since i had a twin. It seems smaller but i could be wrong. Be careful if you get into the lower bunk. I hit my head b/​c it was abit low (bunks prob more for kids) and I’m 5’2″ so not like i’m tall. When you move the mattress creaks b/​c of the cover they use. So if you’re a light sleeper, you might not be able to sleep! On the 2^nd nite, it was a full house and we had all 8 beds filled. Although I was able to rest better than night 1, I kept getting awakened every 30 min (?) b/​c my roommates kept tossing and turning (hence 8x continous tossing n turning=no rest)…finally by 7am everyone bolted up.
The heat in the room was also abit too warm. I told the receptionist upon check-​out and they said they may adjust it. I get cold very easily but even others in the room have echoed it was way too warm.
There’s a bathroom in the dorm. 2 toilets and 2 showers so seems adequate.
the kitchen was fabulous. If you come here you’d prob want to cook. It’s convenient since they have 3 stoves (2 commerical quality restaurant stoves!) The fire was so strong i actually burnt myself while opening the lid to my boiling water. The 3^rd stove wasn’t used as 2 is plenty even on a full house. There are also 2 commercial quality refrigerators for your food and a cupboard with plastic bins for one to store their dried goods. The dining area has 2 large long wood tables/​benches and another bench on the other side with a built-​in wooden counter. If that isn’t enough (indoor) dining space, you may opt to eat outside (there are also 3 large picnic tables outside & a BBQ. Shd have bought oysters as the other poster did and BBQ’ed them there! or baked in the oven!
I’d def return but prob not during holidays. And def try to stay at least 3 nights next time. Great hiking opportunities. Hostel keeps a trail map on the counter… there is even 1 hike you can do without having to drive. Start right across from hostel (beach/​coastal hike) 5 mile loop. The lighthouse is also a popular destination. Staff who work there are friendly and helpful. (Mark & Lori). Mark’s been there for awhile so he’s familiar with the hiking and is helpful with suggestions. They also have a book on Pt Reyes hikes.

The HI Point Reyes Hostel is easily the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in. (And I’ve stayed in more hostels than is probably healthy for one human being.) The staff were friendly, the place was quiet and the surroundings were gorgeous. Never mind the fact that I could have parked myself in their common area all day reading and drinking tea by the windows overlooking the mountains.
**Please note that this hostel is in the middle of nowhere. It’s not accessible by public transport, there is no wifi and no cell phone reception. Plus, no alcohol on the premises.
Translation: The perfect getaway. It’s not filled with crazy hostel-​goers partying until 5am and bathrooms don’t smell like beer. Instead, the hostel is filled with friendly folks of all ages and is the cleanest joint around.
So if you need a weekend away from the city, this is your new special place. There are dorms (co-​ed and single sex) and private rooms so there really is something for everyone. And since you’ll need a car to get there you’ll be able to easily access Point Reyes Lighthouse, Point Reyes Station, Drake’s Bay Oysters (if it’s still open) and Sculptured Beach. ABSOLUTELY 100% WORTH THE TRIP. Bonus points for being surrounded by hiking trails within easy walking distance.
I definitely plan on staying here again next time I need to get the eff out of SF.

Really gorgeous, cozy hostel. I stayed in the shared women’s dorm and was thrilled to be there. The kitchen was well stocked and the living room was welcoming. I spent a lot of time laying on a couch drinking tea and staring at the mountains and watching movies, when I wasn’t taking advantage of the incredibly gorgeous surroundings to go on coast hikes. I would love to come back here some time, for sure.

Fantastic location for hiking, beach combing. Stayed in a private room. Very clean and comfortable. Excellent facility. Great staff.

This review is for the green LEED private bunk accommodations for families. I haven’t stayed in any hostels in the US so I have nothing to compare my stay to. I have only done the hostel thing without children and in Europe; my memories are not fond. I don’t think that hostels in the US are usually this amazing but I might be wrong. I enjoyed our stay here and I will go back.
The land is gorgeous, the staff is friendly, the family house is really, really clean and comfortable, and the price is right (about $ 100/​night). I also slept well on the Tempurpedic memory foam bed. We didn’t use the kitchen but I noted that it had all of the things a family would need to deal with meals. I would have liked to have a picnic table outside of our door but that is not a big deal. The hike to the beach is easy and our 6 & 8 year old children had no trouble. If you choose not to walk the drive to the beach is quick. The town of Point Reyes is a short drive and a nice place to go in the early morning when just the locals are around.
It’s not a 5 star hotel but it’s a 5 star hostel. I liked it and I recommend it to families that like to be near nature.

Ten stars for the Point Reyes Hostel!
If you are a solo traveler, and even better a solo WOMAN traveler, you will be quite at home here.
I came here on a «Mama Needs a Mental Health Break» vacation and it was just what the men in the white coats ordered, ha ha.
The hostel is small and intimate, a tiny gem nestled in the wilderness.
The staff is friendly, the bathrooms are big and clean, and the kitchen is lovely (see the cute vintage dishes in my photo).
There is no TV, wifi or cell service (this is a gigantic plus, actually!), and since this is a hostel, you have to be out of the premises all day.
But there is a big bookshelf full of books; and there are tons of comfy couches where you can curl up with a nice book and a cup of tea and gaze out the picture window.
The best part of my experience was the people — a very cool mix of travelers aged 20 – 60, all chilling out together, cooking and playing the guitar and just enjoying the peace and quiet.
The next morning I went to the Pt. Reyes Visitors’ Center and they recommended a great hike: up Bear Valley Trail to the gorgeous Divide Meadow, an easy 2 hours round trip.
I stayed in the ladies’ dorm ($ 22 if I recall right) but next time I think I’ll bring my husband and son, and we’ll spring for a private room ($ 82 for three of us) in the swanky, new building.
This is a magical place!

Another great hostel experience! Went with a girlfriend to get away. Great, calm, pretty hostel. Close enough to restaurants. Sebastian (the staffer) was totally amazing. Just a lovely, lovely time. :)

I’m hesitant to write a review since I don’t want my new-​found hideaway getting any more crowded. It’s said that this is one of the world’s nicest hostels. That said, hosteling is not for everyone. If you’re used to 600-​thread count, room service, and a jacuzzi, it isn’t the place for you. In fact, if you’re used to cable and a private bath, it’s probably not for you either.
But we’re economically challenged, and it you’ve ever looked for places to stay up in this area, you’ve noted that it’s tough to find anything for less than about $ 140 a night. Since we’re enthusiastic car-​campers, we thought we’d give this a try.
They have men’s and women’s dorms, with bunkbeds, but with a young teen son, I was a little uncomfortable about us having separate accommodations in a place I hadn’t visited before. So we got the «family room», which was closer to $ 60 — still a steal relative to local rates. We had room for 5 people, with a double bed, a bunk bed over it, and another bunkbed next to that. There was a chair, a light, plenty of room to put our stuff, and shelves full of warm comforters. They give you your clean sheets, and you put them on. The room is off the laundry room, so it’s not for the super-​fussy or security-​obsessed, as it doesn’t lock. The laundry room is between the family room and the kitchen, although we didn’t suffer from noise that other people mention, and actually liked being out of the thick of the action in the rest of the building.
The kitchen is stocked with pots, pans, dishes, etc. This was my only slight hesitation, as I am a very private cook. I don’t like working around others, but I sucked it up, and ended up having some nice conversations with others who were eating when we were. The common «living room» is incredibly cozy, with hundreds of books, games, and super-​comfy chairs and sofas. Some of the folks ended up playing chess together, playing guitar, or reading in the common room. There is also one internet station that you can put a credit card or dollar bills into if you absolutely MUST check your e-​mail — I had to, unfortunately, but normally wouldn’t have.
The whole aesthetic of the place is old and funky, but that didn’t bother us a bit. The people working there were extremely nice and informative, with trail maps and advice about this area as well as other California hostels. There are fantastic hikes close by, and if you don’t want to walk it’s about a 5 minute ride to the wonderful Limantour beach.
We approached it slightly differently. We checked in, then drove up to our longtime favorite, Drake’s Bay Oyster Co., got a coupla dozen, and brought them back to the hostel. They welcomed our choice and provided us with handtowels for shucking. LBM amazed me — he watched the gal at the Oyster Co. shuck one oyster, and did it perfectly the first time… and for the other 26 oysters (they always give you extra). A rite of passage moment.
After we were full of that and the pasta we’d brought to make, we went to our room, plugged in the laptop and watched the DVD we’d brought, sitting on the bed, leaning up against the wall with the rolled comforters making a great backrest. In the morning we had a yummy breakfast and went for a nice hike. We’d do it again in a heartbeat, maybe even try Pescadero or Monterey next time…

I stayed at this hostel for about three days while on a retreat. It’s a fairly remote location and makes for a nice getaway to either enjoy nature and/​or the company of those with you. We had the private house separate from the the main building where the kitchen was. It was nothing fancy. We slept on bunk-​beds and the nice lady at the front desk provided more blankets if needed. The restroom was also clean. The only thing that bothered me were the holes in the roof that caused water to leak onto my top bunk.
The entrance to the main house had a museum/​living room like ambiance filled with books on marine life, old board games and a warm fire for those cold coastal mornings. The shared kitchen was large and fit all 20 of us either cooking or eating in the adjacent dining area. The bathroom in the main building was super creepy though. It’s reminiscent of those bathrooms you would see in some horror movie with a pedestal bath and 1920s style tiling.
What I especially loved about this place is the trail right beside the hostel. It’s a tough and long walk, especially if you’re hiking right after a rainfall as I had done, but it’s definitely rewarding to get to the end and see the Pacific ocean that is secluded from the public.

Difficult to rsvp & location is nice, but the Hostel is terrrible! We had the private room & NOT private @ all… I’ve stayed @ Hostels & when they say «private room», I didn’t expect the 5 bunkbeds, a door w/​no lock, & the room being in the kitchen. The «quiet hours» is when the Kitchen is closed (9pm), but they forgot to mention it’s closed to every1 else… NOT staff, so we heard pots/​pans/​loud convos ALL night… if you need to use the restroom, expect to walk through the kitchen, then the lobby, & down the hall @ the end of the women’s sleeping quarters to find it. NOT worth $ 60.

Admittedly, I’m a bit of a hippie cyclist.
I ride my bike nearly everywhere, don’t like shaving all that much, wear sandals from time-​to-​time, against the war, etc etc etc…
Recently, a friend and I decided to embark on a long distance tour of California’s North Bay. You can actually see the route we took there & back by following the link at the end of the review. It was actually a moderately tough ride, a decent amount of sustained climbing, the most being at the end of the 45 miles before we made our final descent to the Point Reyes Hostel.
We arrived at dusk, and were greeted by Sebastian, the resident supervisor & Scrabble genius – she knew all the rules & proclaims that she plays it on line constantly. She got us checked-​in with our new elderly friends Jerry & Viola (who were a little scared of us), and showed us the ropes around the place.
They have various choices of how you would like to hostel here – separated men & women’s dorms, co-​op dorms & private room. I’m guessing the private room is more expensive, but the others cost a mere $ 20 per night.
Yea, $ 20! And $ 2 more if you didn’t bring sheets/​pillow case/​towel.
This hostel does not allow the consumption of alcohol, so be discreet if you are going to do it. Also, if you have a problem with bathroom privacy, spending more and doing the private room would probably be better.
There’s a great common area for travelers to hang out with each other and chat, and plenty of places to hike and enjoy this wildlife-​filled, untouched portion of California (i added a few photos).
Whether you’re looking to get away for an inexpensive weekend and head North from San Francisco, or wanting an intermediate long distance bike tour – this is a great spot along the way.
Bike Route (Thanks TUJM!):