Press Room
Everyone likes a good deal. That's why hostels are at the heart of travel today, contributing nearly $1.4 billion to annual tourism revenue worldwide. Hostelling International, a nonprofit network that began in a German schoolhouse in 1909, annually provides 35 million overnights and is the industry benchmark.
HI hostels are a best-kept travel secret. HI's blue triangle logo is associated with exceptional service, cleanliness, and security -- quality standards achieved at more than 4,000 hostels in 80 countries. We have grown from a key player in the youth market to a budget travel leader with a diverse guest profile: 40 percent of our 46,000 U.S. members are 20-25 years old, 20 percent are 26-34 years old, and 10 percent are seniors 55 and older.
HI is more than a good night's sleep at a great price. As a nonprofit dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, HI opens minds to the world, one person at a time.
PRESS RELEASES
Subscribe to the RSS feed of HI-USA Golden Gate Council press releases.
February 9, 2010
Dedication of "The Plant" in Fort Mason, Feb. 17
Hi-res photo 1: "The Plant" exterior (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.
Hi-res photo 1: "The Plant" exterior (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.
Hi-res photo 2: "The Plant" kitchenette (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.
Hi-res photo 3: "The Plant" dormitory (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.
Hi-res photo 4: "The Plant" group leader/chaperone room (H). Photo by Brian K. Leadingham.
February 8, 2010
Point Reyes Hostel rated #2 H.I. hostel in the world
Hi-res photo 1: Point Reyes Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: Point Reyes Hostel back patio (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Point Reyes Hostel guest lounge (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
January 7, 2010
A Farewell Celebration for the Redwood Hostel, Jan. 23
Hi-res photo 1: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Pacific Ocean view from Redwood Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Hostel manager Kaci Elder and Ryan Forsythe (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
September 10, 2009
"SF Music Intensive" offers professional development for musicians in the City by the Bay (October 16-18)
September 9, 2009
Redwood National Park Hostel to close on January 18, 2010
August 6, 2009
National Park hostels in Northern California host free 100th Anniversary Parties, August 23-29, 2009
Hi-res image 1: 100 Years of Hostelling Worldwide (V).
Hi-res photo 3: Marin Headlands Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
August 6, 2009
San Mateo lighthouse hostels host free 100th Anniversary Parties, August 22 and 30, 2009
Hi-res image 2: 75th anniversary of Hostelling International USA (V). Illustration of Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel. 
Hi-res photo 1: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
August 6, 2009
Sacramento Hostel hosts free 100th Anniversary Party and Ice Cream Social, August 25, 2009
Hi-res photo 1: Sacramento Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
August 5, 2009
San Francisco hostels host free 100th Anniversary Party, August 29, 2009
Hi-res photo 1: San Francisco Downtown Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 2: San Francisco City Center Hostel (H). Photo by Brian Leadingham.
June 30, 2009
"100 Years of Hostelling" celebrations are scheduled at nine Northern California hostels, August 22-30, 2009
May 17, 2009
New independent film "Etienne!" screens at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Marin Headlands Hostels, June 19-20
Hi-res photo 2: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 6: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 7: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (V). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 8: Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
November 18, 2008
Historic Sacramento Hostel now offers Half-Price Winter Weekends: Stay Friday night, get Saturday night free
Hi-res photo 2: Sacramento Hostel (H). 
Hi-res photo 3: Sacramento Hostel parlor (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Sacramento Hostel dining room (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 5: Sacramento Hostel dorm room (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
October 31, 2008
Four coastal California hostels offer "Winter Weekday Specials": Stay one night, get half-off the second night, Sunday - Wednesday nights
Hi-res photo 2: Marin Headlands Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 3: Marin Headlands Hostel shared room (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Marin Headlands Hostel guest lounge (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
October 7, 2008
"Golden Anniversary of Golden Gate Hostels": 50th Anniversary Luncheon Celebration (Sunday, October 26, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Hi-res photo 1: Marin Headlands Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 4: Point Reyes Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
Hi-res photo 9: San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel (H). Photo by Cheri M. Larsh.
September 1, 2008
Hostelling
International celebrates "Golden Anniversary of Golden Gate Hostels"
with free event series in Northern California (September 14 - November
27, 2008)
June 19, 2008
"Adventures in Hostelling" Writing Contest seeks short personal stories
June 2, 2008
Redwood National Park Hostel introduces summer Sea-Kayaking Package
Hi-res photo 3: Kayaking on Trinidad Cove (H). Photo by Marna Powell.
Hi-res photo 4: Kayaking on Big Lagoon (H). Photo by Marna Powell.Subscribe to the RSS feed of HI-USA Golden Gate Council press releases.
MEDIA SUMMARY
Hostelling International USA, Golden Gate Council (nationally registered as Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels, Inc.) is a nonprofit network of eight hostels in scenic Northern California, that hosted 230,000 overnights in FYE '09 -- more than 20 percent of HI's total U.S. overnights.
The Golden Gate Council has provided top-quality budget accommodations to travelers since it was founded in 1958 by a team of volunteers (visit About Us for a complete timeline). The Council is one of 31 regional HI affiliates providing affordable accommodations and educational programs across the United States. Hostelling International is the global brand for the International Youth Hostel Federation and its 80 member countries, including HI-USA.
From stately lighthouses to National Parks, busy city centers to remote coastal locales, the Council's hostel network is unmatched anywhere in the United States, and hosts travelers of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, including individuals, families, and groups.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Council is dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel (visit About Us for our mission and vision statements). HI hostels are not just places to stay, but also places to foster a stronger global community and to educate youth.
HI's mission of promoting intercultural understanding through travel has never been more important. As part of a network that extends to nearly every region of the world, the Golden Gate Council is working even harder to provide safe places for travelers to meet each other, see new places, and experience other cultures.
For the latest on our programs and achievements, download the HI-USA Golden Gate Council 2009 annual report (PDF, 1.9 MB).
MEDIA CONTACT
Molly Mitoma
Marketing and Communications Manager
(415) 863-1444 ext. 313
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Please contact Ms. Mitoma for details about our 10 hostels, to schedule an interview with a spokesperson, to receive high-quality photos, to arrange for a tour or overnight stay, or for any other media requests.
News & Events
New group facility "The Plant" opens at the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel
Call for Entries: Lonely Planet's "One Planet, 100 Million Stories" photo contest
New exhibits at The California Museum celebrate cultural diversity in the Golden State
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