Hostel Activities

Meet new people and experience the city!

Looking for tips about the best things to do and see in San Francisco? Our friendly tour guides live and work in the City by the Bay--they're your ticket to finding great restaurants, bars, shopping, and more.

• Fun and original walking tours: Shop thrift stores with great deals or take a tour of the city's bars with cheap happy hour specials.
• Low-cost day trips: Get out of the city and see the Wine Country and Yosemite National Park with fun guides.
• Casual meet-and-greets: Meet locals and travelers who can explore the city with you.

Fun for HI hostel guests, every day!

Our three San Francisco hostels offer an array of fun, FREE or low-cost activities held every day of the week. Get an activities schedule at check-in or check out our activities bulletin boards at the hostels. There's always something fun happening!

Sample Activities

Bike the Bay
Cycle the San Francisco Bay. Ride through Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Mason, past the Palace of Fine Arts, through Crissy Field, and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Have a picnic lunch along the water. Return by ferry, taking in picturesque views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. This is truly a day well spent, so get out there!

Nightlife Tours
Check out the bars, pubs, and clubs of San Francisco with locals who know what's hot. Whether it's "Salsa Sundays," beer festivals, live music/DJ dance clubs, or watching your favorite televised sport from the neighborhood sports bar, our San Francisco nightlife tour guides know "where it's at."

Cultural and "Only in San Francisco" Events
San Francisco has so much to offer year round, and we want to help our guests get a true taste of the city's unique culture and traditions. Join our group ventures to popular annual events such as Chinese New Year, Dia de los Muertos, Gay Pride, and Bay to Breakers.

City Walking Tours
Explore the neighborhoods of San Francisco, or take a coastal walk along the Pacific Ocean or a nature walk through Golden Gate Park. Tour AT&T Park, home of the famous San Francisco Giants, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Embarcadero waterfront. 

Arts and Museums
Got Art? San Francisco has a wide array of contemporary and historical museums that showcase the city's genuine appreciation for the arts. Our hostels offer escorted tours to museums for Free Admission Days and Half-Price Evenings. We'll also keep you informed of Open Gallery nights when many downtown art galleries keep their doors open late for viewings and wine-and-cheese receptions with artists. 

Meet and Greet Socials
Meet local San Francisco residents and fellow travelers for happy hours, cultural dinners, and other social gatherings. Get city tips from locals and share travel stories with other guests, all while enjoying appetizers/tapas and drink specials throughout the city.

Day Trip Excursions

Day trips are an opportunity to get out of the city and see why the San Francisco Bay Area is loved by so many people. Inquire at the reception desk about booking a trip. (Please note that these trips are run by local tour companies and are subject to availability.)

Yosemite

• Experience one of California's most beautiful wilderness regions.
• Highlights include views of El Capitan and Half Dome plus two hours at Yosemite Village.
• Take pictures at the Vista Point over the Valley and see the famous Sequoia Grove.

Muir Woods

• Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
• See beautiful Marin County.
• Take a leisurely walk through majestic redwood trees in a National Park.

Napa Valley

• See one of the Bay Area's scenic agricultural regions and America's most prominent Wine Country destination.
• Highlight is the Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
• Champagne and wine tasting along the way.

Become a volunteer

Are you a local who wants to share your expertise and meet travelers from around the world? Join our dedicated team of Hostelling International Global Liaisons! Please see the Volunteer section of the HI-USA Golden Gate Council website for more info.