Hostels Along California’s Coast

Coastal hostels offer a welcome alternative to campgrounds and hotels as you explore California’s Coastal Trail. Imagine brisk walks on the CCT while staying at a cozy, perhaps historic, hostel with an ocean view. Cook hot meals in a well-lit kitchen, sleep in a comfortable bed and meet friendly people from around the world. Each hostel’s warm, friendly atmosphere, shared kitchen, and cozy sleeping rooms are affordable, usually around $16 per person. Young world travelers still make up most hostel’s clientele, but each year more older travelers and families bunk at hostels, attracted by low prices and no smoking/no alcohol policies.

Some great locations also make hostels attractive. From north coast redwood forests to central coast small towns to happening coastal cities, locations vary as much as the unique buildings: farmhouses, lighthouses, a former library and an army barracks, for example. Most California hostels are run by Hosteling InternationalAmerican Youth Hostels (AYH), while a few are independent.

The varied locations of AYH hostels reflect the diverse nature of the California Coastal Trail. DeMartin Hostel in Redwood National Park sits overlooking the ocean in an historic farmhouse beside the CCT. Area trails offer coastal hiking at its finest. Marin Headlands Hostel, housed in a handsome old army building near the CCT in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is just a short walk from Rodeo Beach. A more ambitious hike climbs over a ridge to the Golden Gate Bridge in only four miles. Point Reyes Hostel, located right beside the CCT, offers a 20-minute hike to dramatic Limantour Beach. San Francisco has a hostel at Fort Mason on the bayfront about two miles from the CCT and another downtown at Union Square. San Mateo County offers two hostels in historic lighthouses at small-town Montara and rural Pigeon Point. The Santa Cruz Hostel is centrally located near downtown, two blocks from the beach, boardwalk and CCT. In the southern half of the state, Hostel Obispo provides lodging in the charming college town of San Luis Obispo. In the Los Angeles area, the Santa Monica Hostel provides a lively downtown setting only blocks from the pier, beach and CCT. San Pedro Hostel, on a hill near the huge Korean Friendship Bell, sits a few blocks from the CCT as it passes Point Fermin, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Los Angeles Harbor. San Clemente Hostel in Orange County occupies an old library just a few blocks from the beach and the CCT. San Diego’s two hostels sit near the coast and the CCT. Point Loma Hostel is a few blocks from Ocean Beach. The Downtown San Diego Hostel near the bayfront offers great bike riding, beaches, 1400-acre Balboa Park and its famous ZOO, and a trolley that runs to the border at Tijuana in 20 minutes.

This book mentions several independent coastal hostels where you might stay. Santa Barbara’s Banana Bungalow sits right in town six blocks from the beach and Stearns Wharf. In the small San Luis Obispo County town of Nipomo, Bill Denneen not only runs his unique Bill’s Home Hostel, but also leads excursions to natural sites like Nipomo Dunes and Point Sal. Farther north in that county is Morro Bay Home Hostel. You’ll find two more independent hostels near the coast in Los Angeles: Hostel California is about 15 minutes walk from Venice Beach while the small Marina Hostel is in nearby Marina del Rey. In Orange County’s Huntington Beach, the Colonial Inn Hostel is just four blocks from CCT and beach. In recent years development of hostels slowed as government support and funding dwindled. However, with a booming economy and a new move towards coastal protection and awareness, hostels could open in places such as the Monterey Peninsula and the Mendocino coast.

Finishing the CCT, opening more hostels, and creating more coastal parks and campsites helps save the coast from unwanted development while boosting the coastal region’s economy. When the CCT finally gets completed-gaps closed, trail signs in place, abundant places to stay at convenient locations-the long distance CCT hiker can anticipate an enjoyable, safe and reasonably comfortable trip, finding a choice of hostels, campgrounds, bed and breakfast inns, motels and hotels for overnight stays. American Youth Hostels envisions a string of hostels, perhaps as many as 36, placed along the coastline about 40 miles apart to serve an international cast of visitors.

For more information about Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels, contact:

•  Golden Gate Council (415) 701- 1320
• Los Angeles Council (310) 393-3413
• San Diego Council at (619)338-998 1
• Check out the website: www.hostelweb.com