Hi - Point Reyes, Point Reyes Station, California Youth Hostels, Point Reyes National Seashore

View All 4 Images »

The Point Reyes hostel sits two miles from the ocean in a secluded valley in the Point Reyes National Seashore...

Escape civilization and leave your tent at home! HI-Point Reyes, located within the diverse wilderness of Point Reyes National Seashore, is a former ranch tucked into a secluded valley. It's the only non-camping accommodation in the park, and the #2 customer-rated HI hostel in the world.

Located at the junction of several hiking trails, access to the park's marvels is just a wander away -- from your doorstep, take the Laguna Trail into the wooded hills, the Muddy Hollow Road trail into the wetlands, or the flat and easy Coast Trail straight to the beach and its sandy coastal cliffs.

Elsewhere in the park, see the largest population of Tule elk in California, watch the gray whale migration, spot spawning Coho salmon, or listen to the powerful trumpet of elephant seals. Of course you'll also find plenty of wildflowers, birds of all shapes and sizes, and other native California flora and fauna.

Looking to protect its pristine surroundings, the hostel -- a Certified Green Business -- is dedicated to sustainable practices: linens and towels are hung to dry in the California sunshine, composting, recycling, and refillable water bottles are encouraged, and we use environmentally friendly cleaning products and pesticides. Other hostel amenities include a fully equipped guest kitchen, comfortable lounges with park views, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, a patio with a grill and picnic tables, free parking, and bag and bike storage.

In the nearby town of Point Reyes Station, a handful of locally owned shops and restaurants line the small Main Street. Toby's Feed Barn and Point Reyes Books regularly host small events and the weekly summer farmers market, and there's a cute community garden in the center of town. This small town is famous for culinary treats -- check out Cowgirl Creamery, Bovine Bakery, Pine Cone Diner, or head to one of the nearby oyster farms for a picnic of the day's catch.


IMPORTANT: As of December 31, 2012, the section of Limantour Road that leads to the hostel is temporarily closed due to erosion damage. As a result, the hostel is not currently accessible by car. The only way to reach the hostel is by hiking or biking 7 miles from the Bear Valley Visitor Center parking lot. We are awaiting information from the National Park Service as to when the road will reopen. If you have questions, please call us at 1 (415) 663-8811or email We appreciate your patience, and will update this website as soon as we have further information.

Directions

If you have questions, please call us at 1 (415) 663-8811 or email info@pointreyeshostel.org. Thank you!

DRIVING:
From the flashing traffic light in the town of Olema (Highway 1 at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard), go north on Highway 1 for 200 yards. Turn left on Bear Valley Road, go 1.5 miles to the second possible left turn (Limantour Road), go 5.5 miles to first crossroad (at the bottom of a hill) and turn left. The hostel is on your left.

Free parking is available at the hostel on a first-come first-served basis.

USING PUBLIC TRANSIT:
It is not easy to get to the hostel by public transportation, as the nearest bus stop is 7 miles from the hostel. If you decide to travel by bus, you must have a reservation so we know when to expect you.
From San Francisco, take Golden Gate Transit to the San Rafael Transit Center, then take the West Marin Stagecoach to the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Point Reyes National Seashore. From the visitor center, it is a 7-mile hike to the hostel (there are no local taxis).
The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pack a trail map and have a plan if the bus you take arrives when the visitor center is closed. Be sure to buy all of the food you will need for your stay before you get on the bus. Olema is your closest stop and it does not have a grocery store.

FROM THE AIRPORT:
The hostel is about 50 miles north of SFO. Take Highway 101 north through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Continue north on Hwy 101 to the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit. Take a left, and follow Sir Francis Drake west to Olema/Hwy 1. Take a right on Hwy 1 (north), and go north on Highway 1 for 200 yards. Turn left on Bear Valley Road, go 1.5 miles to the second possible left turn (Limantour Road), go 5.5 miles to first crossroad (at the bottom of a hill) and turn left. The hostel is on your left.

Facilities

Internet Access, Linen Included, Towels, Swimming Pool, Common Room, Bike Parking, BBQ Area, Free Carpark