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Hostels in California
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California is a destination of blue skies, sunshine and beautiful people. Besides Hollywood star-spotting, there are plenty of other cool things to do in California; from lounging on sun-kissed beaches to Sierra Nevada skiing and Napa Valley wine tours, as well as road-tripping along Big Sur or checking out San Francisco’s legendary alternative scene.
To do California on a budget, you’ll need to find a California hostel, but choosing the right place to stay can be tricky. Here’s a guide to top-rated hostels across California:
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Banana Bungalow West Hollywood
You couldn’t find a more popular Los Angeles hostel then Banana Bungalow West Hollywood, with its fun atmosphere and bang-on location off Melrose Avenue drawing in plenty of sociable travellers. The hostel throws regular free BBQs and parties at its tiki bar and garden, puts on free breakfasts and offers free underground parking. You’re within strolling distance of LA’s best shopping and the hostel puts on a free shuttle to LA nightclubs; plus for daytime fun you can join a hostel-arranged trip to Universal Studios, Magic Mountain or Disneyland.
Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse
San Francisco hostels don’t get better than this: Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse is found in Frisco’s cool and eclectic North Beach neighbourhood, once the Beat generation’s hangout with Jack Kerouac’s favourite bar Vesuvius just around the corner. Inside, you can hop in the sauna, use internet and Wi-Fi for free and get free dinners three nights a week as well as free breakfasts every day. Union Square is a 15-minute walk away, and the hostel shares a neighbourhood with some of the city’s best clubs – start your nights off with drinks in the huge common room.
Clair Tappaan Lodge Soda Springs
A fantastic spot from which to explore the Sierra Nevada and nearby Lake Tahoe, Clair Tappaan Lodge Soda Springs sits at an elevation of 7000ft at Donner Summit where the region’s heaviest snow falls. Popular with cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts over winter, and perfect for hiking, mountain biking and fishing in summer, the lodge lets you discover some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable right from your doorstep – follow the famous Pacific Crest Trail which is just a mile away. Back at the lodge, home-cooked meals are eaten around the table twice-daily, and there’s a hot tub to relax in after a long day exploring.
HI Sacramento
Housed in one of the last Victorian mansions left in this former Gold Rush city, HI Sacramento offers luxurious period décor including rich wood panelling and antique wallpaper, chandeliers, hand-painted ceramic tiles and a beautiful stained-glass skylight. You can take a short stroll downtown to check out the State Capitol Building and Old Sacramento, plus go for strolls along the river walk promenade and America River. Back at the hostel you can relax on the wrap-around veranda or on the patio with BBQ and fountain, cook your own meals in the fully-equipped kitchen and hang out in beautiful antique parlour rooms.
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