6 Best Hostels in Downtown San Francisco

Are you visiting The Golden City soon? Then you should visit Downtown San Francisco! It’s a loosely defined area that includes the Financial District and parts of Union Square, the Tenderloin, Chinatown, and South of Market. It has many fun things to do and see, making it a must-visit location! You can easily find museums, concerts, and theater performances. Plus, it also has plenty of restaurants and fun nightlife options. That said, why don’t you book a room in this area? That way, you can enjoy everything Downtown has to offer conveniently. However, as we all know, not all accommodations are created equal, especially if you’re looking for hostels in San Francisco Downtown. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to research for you! Here’s a list of the best hostels in Downtown San Francisco that will make your life a little bit easier!

Western Hotel

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Despite the name, Western Hotel isn’t a San Francisco hotel. This accommodation is a hostel (even its website calls it a hostel!). Attractively situated in the heart of San Francisco, this affordable hostel is the perfect choice for those who don’t like to sleep in the same room with strangers! Yes, this is a private-room-only hostel, and you can choose between the Queen Room and the Standard Double Room. Compared to most hostels in San Francisco near Union Square, both of them are more spacious, and the beds are super comfy as well. Other in-room amenities include a desk and flat-screen TV. Considered one of the top hostels in Downtown San Francisco, free Wi-Fi is available too.

While there’s no shared kitchen on-site, you can still use the microwave and refrigerator to heat your meal and keep your drinks cold. We also love how roomy and clean the shared bathroom is. Want to go to the airport but don’t know how to get there? Don’t worry, as the hostel provides an airport shuttle for its guests! As with other hostels in San Francisco Downtown, this property is surrounded by many attractions, including the Golden Gate Theater, Asian Art Museum, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco Cable Car, Pier 39, and many more.

Amsterdam Hostel

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Welcome to the Amsterdam Hostel, one of the best hostels in Downtown San Francisco. This beautiful San Francisco hostel features abundant common space great for meeting other travelers and group gatherings. One of our favorite amenities is the shared kitchen and dining area, where you can cook a delicious meal and share it with other fellow travelers. This hostel also boasts a spacious terrace, a mini cinema, and an on-site internet cafe to make sure you enjoy your stay. Aside from that, there are also heaps of handy freebies, including Wi-Fi, round-the-clock tea and coffee, as well as luggage storage. It sounds like the ideal hostel, doesn’t it?

With plenty of opportunities to work, rest, and play, this is arguably among the most popular hostels in San Francisco Downtown for digital nomads. It’s an excellent alternative if the business hotels in San Francisco are too pricey. Once you’ve hit those deadlines, feel free to grab a city map and hop on a rented bike to explore San Francisco! This hostel is only three blocks off Union Square, San Francisco’s central location and home to great shopping, famous restaurants and bards, and many of the city’s best sights. Oh, don’t forget to come back on time to join the pub crawl!

Orane Village Hostel

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Located in the heart of San Francisco, Orange Village Hostel is a beautiful place to stay for travelers looking for a budget-friendly, community stay. It’s one of the cheapest hostels in Downtown San Francisco! This hostel is conveniently situated within walking distance of San Francisco’s major metropolitan area, known for Union Square, unique boutiques, and one of the world’s premier shopping districts. Apart from that, we also love how friendly the staff is. They’re available 24 hours a day, and you can go to them whenever you need any help or have any questions. They’ll be more than happy to give you some insiders tips and recommendations.

There are a variety of rooms available in this hostel, from shared dormitory rooms to private bedrooms. Like other hostels in San Francisco near Union Square, the dorm rooms are equipped with bunk beds and twin-size mattresses. Bed linens, blankets, pillows, and small towels are free. Plus, backpack-sized lockers are also available in all rooms for securing your belongings. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more for extra privacy, you can opt for the private bedroom instead. It comes with a cable TV, small fridge, microwave, electric fan, and basic toiletries. Other amenities include a shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and discounted tours.

Music City Hotel – Home Of The San Francisco Music Hall Of Fame

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A tribute to the iconic musical history of the Bay Area, this music-themed hostel is much loved amongst artists and creative travelers alike. The Music City Hotel – Home of the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame is unlike other hostels in Downtown San Francisco. Here, you can jam in your room or in a music studio that’s free to use for hostel guests. You can also choose a free loaner instrument to be delivered to your room! Don’t be shy and sing your heart out with fellow travelers! There are dorm rooms and private rooms in this hostel, and both of them are comfy. The dorms can accommodate up to six people at once, and they’re the perfect place to make new friends. Some even come with private bathrooms.

Like other hostels in San Francisco Downtown, dozens of varied and excellent food, beverage, and entertainment options can all be found within a short walk from this hostel. Plus, tourist attractions and neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Union Square, North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Mission District are only a short ride away! You’ll never have a boring day during your stay here. If you’re too tired to leave the hotel, you can admire the on-site art galleries. Don’t forget to connect your phone to the free Wi-Fi so you can upload the beautiful arts to your socials!

Adelaide Hostel

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The Adelaide Hostel is one of the quieter and more laid-back hostels in Downtown San Francisco. This hostel is on a side street just two blocks from Downtown. That way, you can get the convenience of being centrally located without all the noise. On top of that, the staff here are fantastic too, as they can recommend to you all the top things to do in San Francisco. You can ask them about tours, bike rentals, and more. Want to visit Union Square? Perfect! This hostel is only a five-minute walk from it, making it one of the top hostels in San Francisco near Union Square! Other nearby attractions include Geary Theatre, San Francisco Playhouse, Oracle Park, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge, and more.

Moreover, this hostel is a cozy haven for weary travelers that love freebies. Here, you’ll have complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free luggage storage. What a deal! There are also free meals throughout the week, so connecting with other travelers is more than easy. Plus, you can finally save some money! If you want to cook your favorite meal, you can do it in the fully-equipped kitchen. As with other hostels in San Francisco Downtown, it has dormitory rooms and private rooms. Each of them is pretty spacious, and the beds are surprisingly comfy. There are privacy curtains too, so you can get a decent night’s sleep, which we appreciate.

HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel

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Do you love to meet and share stories with other travelers? The HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel is one of the top hostels in Downtown San Francisco that allow you to do so! With single-gender dorms and mixed rooms, this hostel is perfect for solo travelers. It’s housed in a renovated 1900s hotel building and has retained much of the impressive grandeur. However, you have nothing to worry about as the amenities it offers are modern! Each spacious room showcases large windows in this property and is decorated in cool tones and modern furnishings. The bed is surprisingly comfortable, and there’s lots of storage space so you can lock your stuff up and keep it safe at all times. Some rooms even have an en suite bathroom!

Furthermore, you’ll be thrilled to know that there’s a fully-equipped shared kitchen too! Like other best hostels in Downtown San Francisco, free Wi-Fi is available on-site, and laundrette is present. We love this accommodation compared to some hostels in San Francisco Downtown because it offers complimentary breakfast, which is superb for budget travelers. Apart from that, there are also discounted airport shuttles and discounted activities such as pub crawls and walking tours. That way, you can enjoy San Francisco without making yourself broke! And when it comes to the location, this hostel is only a few steps away from shopping and dining in Union Square, making it one of the best hostels in San Francisco near Union Square.

Where to Stay in Downtown San Francisco

When talking about Downtown San Francisco, we also have to talk about Union Square. This one-square-block-long park is the centerpiece of Downtown. One of the biggest draws to this area is the shopping. Here, you’ll find more than a dozen high-end shops lined up along the park, including everything from Louis Vuitton to Apple. This area has one of the highest concentrations of hotels with options from large chains such as Marriott and Hyatt to boutique options such as the Inn at Union Square and the Hotel Nikko. But if you’re on a budget, the best hostels in San Francisco near Union Square are ready to accommodate you!

Another district in Downtown that’s worth considering is the Financial District. Thick with workers and business people at all weekday hours, the Financial District turns majestic and desolate on weekends. If you’re at leisure here on a weekday, you can have a crazy number of lunch spots available to you. Plus, it’s only a short walk from Union Square.

Lastly, there’s South of Market or SoMa. This is a popular district with top museums, shows, and restaurants. It’s a short walk or cab ride from Union Square. Here, top things to do include heading to a Giants game at Oracle Park, exploring the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and grabbing dinner at one of its high-end restaurants.

Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Downtown San Francisco

• Super Duper Burgers – In the mood for fast food? Check out Super Duper Burgers! The burgers here are, well, super duper delicious! Its Super Burger is piled high with two 4oz patties made of vegetarian-fed beef, ground daily, with crisp veggies and Super Sacuse on a fresh baked bun! Apart from that, the shakes and malts are amazing as well!
• Tacorea – Tacorea is a downtown eatery that serves Korean-Mexican food. If you get tacos, both the carnitas and the “Kanye” asada are great, but the real thing to go for here is the Tacorea kimchi burrito with spicy pork, kimchi, cheese, and Spanish rice. Like all burritos, it’s enough for two meals, but unlike a lot of burritos, you’ll actually want to eat this two meals in a row.
• Blue Bottle Coffee – Here, the coffee drinks include a menu of espresso drinks, individually prepared drip coffee, and New Orleans iced coffee. Blue Bottle also offers daily desserts using mostly organic ingredients and other coffee-compatible edibles such as granola and Belgian waffles.

Recommended Activities in Downtown San Francisco

• San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off: Classic, Premium, or Deluxe – Have fun seeing the sights of San Francisco at your own pace from the top deck of a double decker, hop-on hop-off bus! You can choose from a Classic, Premium, or Deluxe ticket and marvel at the city’s amazing monuments.
• Entry Tickets: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) – Newly opened in 2016, SFMOMA has been expanded by seven floors, which has tripled the museum’s gallery space, allowing for more of its exceptional collection to be on view. SFMOMA is an unforgettable experience and a must-see San Francisco destination, so make sure to get this ticket!
• San Francisco: Evening Ghost Tour – Join a ghost walking tour through Nob Hill and Union Square! Discover haunted hotels, streets, clubs, and office buildings. Learn about the ancient secrets of the Sutter building and the devastation that followed the 1906 earthquake.