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Green Tortoise Backpackers Hostel
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
494 Broadway
(between Kearny St & Rowland St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 834-1000
494 Broadway
(between Kearny St & Rowland St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 834-1000
22 reviews for Green Tortoise Backpackers Hostel
Attracts a very young crowd much like the Adelaide. About $27 a night. Not the cheapest but you do get free breakfast and free internet! :)
The free internet access is in their specific computer area. There is also a room near the kitchen with a pool table to lounge/socialize in.
Shared co-ed bathrooms.
Parking is not cheap but it's right next door.
I had a chance to meet people from all over Europe including the U.K. and Norway.
I loved this hostel because there were several bars and cafes in the surrounding area.
*Rates may vary depending on private/shared rooms and time of year.
The location of the hostel was the only reason I stayed here. It is right by a bunch of clubs, so I basically crashed here one night when I would have otherwise been sort of stranded in the middle of SF at 1am... hooray for traveling with flakes!
It was very loud outside, so the location was also a hindrance. I didn't get a wink of sleep because of all the street noise. I am pretty sure the #1 reason anyone would stay there is to have a place to sleep, and I was unable to do that. It seemed just like any other hostel otherwise, and the staff was very nice, but if I will never stay here again. I simply could not sleep.
If you are a heavy sleeper, then you are in luck. If you are a light sleeper, I recommend looking elsewhere.
Let me tell you my cautionary tale of Green Tortoise San Francisco.... A little background, my girlfriend and I had stayed at the Green Tortoise in Seattle a few years ago, and aside from some guy snoring in our dorm room (which of course you should be prepared for in any hostel), the experience was perfectly normal (perhaps even a little better than your average Hosteling International place).
So we check into this place, then head out for the evening. When we arrive back to our room, we quickly noticed that the loud party going on in the Hostel's ballroom downstairs was CLEARLY audible in our room. And by "loud party," I really should say "mini-rave," since there was amplified techno music, people screaming into microphones, etc. So I go down to complain, and the guy at the desk basically says "yeah, they'll probably be done in a few hours." This was 2 AM. And we actually had stuff planned for the next day! So we got a few hours rest at best, ruining our next vacation day.
When I talked to the neckbeard behind the counter the next morning, I was informed that it is OFFICIAL HOSTEL POLICY to just allow whomever to party however long they like. And of course, the guy looks at me funny, like "what the hell is your problem"? And hey, I don't care if they're partying down there, but if the music's loud enough to make the walls vibrate, I have a problem. And I think most people would as well.
So if screaming Iggy Pop lyrics into the mic at 3AM sounds like fun for you, then by all means this is the place. But if you'd rather not try to fall asleep to this siren song, perhaps you should seek other accommodations.
Seriously, did I stay in the same hostel as the other reviewers?!
Though I've stayed at/lived in a random assortment of hostels for about 8 months of my life, this is probably one of the two that I've actually left before my initial reservation was completed.
At the age of 29, I was clearly too old to be bunking in a place where beer pong was still fashionable and the thump-thump-thump of the music downstairs was my lullabye song for the evening.
I don't know. Sure, there's free breakfast and all. But the people working there at the time seemed very cliquey and just too cool for others who weren't partaking in the party party aspect of the hostel.
PLUS! When I got the girl on staff to mark out which areas I probably shouldn't walk around in (as I was leaving around 9pm that night to wander), she neglected to circle the freaking Tenderloin... which I ended up discovering around 11pm that evening.
NO THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Simply put; wow and thank you.
I never stayed in a hostel before, so this was totally new to me. It was my first time in San Francisco, and needed to stay on a budget while finding a decent place to stay. Green Tortoise Hostel ended up being the choice, and I'm glad it was.
First off, the hostel is located in the middle of an area filled sex shops and strip clubs. Walking to and from the hostel, my friend and I were asked by bouncers "Hey ladies, want to work here?" Uh, no. It's pretty skeevy and uncomfortable to walk around here at night, but there are always a lot of people, so it doesn't feel too desolate.
Yes, staff are very chill and laid back. The hostel itself has TONS of resources if you're looking for things to do in the area. Free maps, and reference binders of info on places in the area, tourist attractions, etc.
My friend and I reserved a private double room which is very small, approximately 8'x8', as well as a small closet. In the room was a small folding wooden table, an alarm clock, two garbages (one for recycling, of course) and one of those folding things you put your luggage on. Mounted in the upper corner was a tiny TV that didn't pick up any channels, only played VHS tapes with included VCR. Btw, you can rent free VHS movies from the wide selection they have, but ONLY if you are staying in the private double room. There was no air conditioning or anything, but it was nice weather when I stayed, so that wasn't a problem. I believe you also get a fan, but I forget. Oh, and the walls are pretty thin, so you can hear everything going on in the hallway.
The bathrooms were pretty well kept, but if you don't know what to expect I can simply describe it as a dorm bathroom. There are plenty of them scattered throughout the building, but I highly suggest showering at night or perhaps the afternoon; there are lines for showering in the morning.
The hostel has a bunch of social activities, including pub crawls, discounts to museums/attractions, but that really depends on the day. There are parties at night, which include beer pong and such, but I didn't go to any of them. They sounded like fun, though.
Free stuff they offer (taken from the website, added to by me):
+Daily breakfast: Consists of bagels (with cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, grape jelly, orange marmalade) fresh sliced fruit (such as pineapple, apple, strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes) coffee, tea, juice.
NOTE: Anytime you eat and use the dishes/cutlery, you are expected to wash it. Bring it over to the 4 sink washing area, and follow the steps listed on the wall.
+Internet/computer use in the computer lounge and wi-fi throughout building - just note that these computers are pretty old, buggy and slow since they aren't cared for. And I think they're running Linux.
+Dinner 3 times a week (Spaghetti Pasta, Tostadas, and Baked Potatoes) - I actually didn't take advantage of this. Any guest of the hostel is encouraged to help cook the communal dinner, which sounds like fun.
+Linens and Towels
+Day Luggage Storage: Note that there's a locked room that all luggage is stored, but technically anyone can access it once they are buzzed in.
+Pool Table and Foosball
+Sauna
+Parties
+Spacious Under-bed Lockers
Other Amenities:
+Huge common room
+Large, fully equipped kitchen
+Coin laundry with washers and dryers
+Public telephones
+ATM
Just keep in mind that when you check out, you need to strip the beds of all sheets and such, otherwise you may be charged a fee. Just read the signs they have posted.
I think the key to enjoying your stay here is to be a pretty laid back person. Overall, I had a great experience here. I just used it as a place to sleep as I toured around all day, but it was still pretty awesome. If I were still broke and visiting SF again, I'd stay here.
The Green Tortoise holds it down as the pinnacle of American hosteling. I stayed here for 4 or 5 nights just last week, and had a marvelous experience. All of the staff were super-awesome, and just like the GT in Seattle, there were awesome evening events nearly every night of the week, so if traveling alone, there's no need to hide away in your room.
Bedroom accommodations are standard for hostels- I stayed in a 8 bed mixed gender room, and was lucky enough to get a bottom bunk, because it's a little bit hard to stumble into a top bunk.
One of the best parts of the rooms is the massive under-bed storage locker- but BYOLock! You should be able to fit two large bags in your locker. If you get an interior room, the street noise isn't too bad- our room's window looked out on an interior courtyard, and I wasn't ever woken up by city noise.
Free breakfast (every morning) and dinner (three nights a week) is quite good- and let's be real, when traveling on a budget, free food is never something to turn down.
Best American hostel I've stayed in, ever!
The location: North beach, right next door to china town AND little Italy! So convenient for good food and cheap markets (china town) if you don't mind some stinky fish and some crowded sidewalks. It is a 15 minute walk from the Wharf, and several other touristy attractions.
The people: Staff is super friendly and laid back. Everyone who is staying here is also pretty chill.
Services: Towels, sheets, a HUGE locker (just bring your own lock), a lovely dinner 3 nights a week, breakfast each morning, full kitchen, internet...it's really nice. Oh, and no curfew!
I HIGHLY recommend this place for your next trip to SF, or MY next trip to SF. It's reasonable and it's FUN.
Great price for the basics. I booked a private room and it was well kept, clean, they give you shampoo and soap and kept the bathroom stocked with community stuff, as well. The private rooms are in a separate building down the street, they give you instructions on how to find your way around and it makes a great base of operations, cheaper than a hotel, that's for sure.
You get a free continental-style breakfast with bagels, toast, PB and honey, tea, coffee, etc plus plenty of great local advice. Free wireless and a great view. Would stay again.
Live music occasionally. Communal FREE well done staff-made dinners. A big stereo system always playing music in the main room. Always free breakfast (fruit, bagels, juice, tea, coffee).
free wireless internet. Lots of movies to rent. Clean! and they have a free dry sauna!
Awesome hostel.
I came here to visit my boyfriend (long story as to why I couldn't stay with him) and it was soooo perfectly located. Walking distance to the Wharf, Chinatown, Coit Tower, and Downtown. Free internet, I think free beer too, lots of social activities and day trips, great if you are into meeting fellow hostelers, a fabulous and cheap Mexican restaurant right around the corner that does up great breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners (you know - in case you get sick of the GT's free bagels.)
Also it's just across the street from the famous City Lights Bookstore. North Beach has lots of Italian restaurants and coffee houses (I recommend Cafe Trieste - I think it is the oldest in SF. Also Cafe Greco - great ham & cheese croissants as well as super huge cappuchinos. Plus the guys who work there are great. And look for the bird that flies right into the cafe to pick up crumbs off the floor! Wicked cool.
But back to the GT. The only thing about The Green Tortoise is that it is in a very loud area - on the same streets as strip joints. It is totally safe - just very very loud. So if you are a light sleeper don't stay here. Go stay at the hostel up in Fort Mason. I've stayed there as well and it is very very quiet at there as well as pretty. And close to Fisherman's Wharf. And a decent breakfast too.
But again I digress. If you're friendly, like to meet fellow travelers, like to go on pub crawls and can sleep through the Apocalypse, then by all means do the GT. Plus it is pretty darn cheap too.
Full disclosure: I used to work here.
Ever backpack some where (Europe, Asia, East Coast, etc...) alone and have kind of a boring time because you were far from your friends and family and the thought of wandering through another museum alone is enough to make you cry?
Enter the Green Tortoise. The pub crawls, open mic night, sauna, pool table, and special events (they will take something like 80 young folks from all across the world and march them in Bay 2 Breakers, or out to see the Pride Parade, or Love Fest, or the Folsom Street Fair, etc) make this the #1 place for a single traveler to hook with with other travelers and have a great time.
Sure, it's not the newest hostel in town but when it comes to meeting random strangers from across the globe and having a great time with them it can't be beat.
Like most things, a small deviation from sobriety will aid immensely in having a good time. Oh, and the staff rocks.
I can not believe this place hasn't been reviewed more.
I have spent a totaling of about 40 night at Green Tortoise over a 3 month span.
Back when I was a student in this city I was very poor and was living out of my car.
After 6 months I started to smell, hahaha. No but really I got sick of showering at the gym at school, or at a friends place, the usual: I hating living out of my car.
I finally decided to book a place at a Hostel, but the longest stay I could book was 7 days at a time, for they feared homeless and people with obligations in the city like me would take advantage of their cheap rates and abuse it. So I found a way around their system and would stay for 6 nights then sleep in my car for the next 2 nights and repeated that over and over.
I always stayed in a tiny room full of 6 girls and smelt like feet, it was only $16 a night, there were a few books that I would leave out on my bed when I would run to the bathroom that did get stolen but all in all it was safe.
It was a hard point in my life so I couldn't really enjoy the amenities they had to offer as a hostel. But I did meet some really interesting tourist and they have an awesome ball room where you can hangout, smoke, and play beer pong etc . . .
So thank you for your services but I hope I never see you again
I called them to ask if they had weekly rooms available...
They told me that it's only nightly and then asked me where I was from.
I told them that I'm originally from Pennsylvania but I've been living out in SF for a couple years now and am just between places.
He told me that they didn't serve locals.
Too bad.
I liked this place a lot. A friend and I came up to San Francisco from L.A. for a weekend, and tried to come here on the friday night, and as it turns out, we definitely should have gotten reservations, completely booked. We were able to stay there the following night, however, and it was a great time. Everyone there is really friendly and chill, cheap rooms, free internet, $5 souvenir tshirts, and a huge open community room where we ended up playing pool and later going out for italian food with some very random people.
As other reviewers have noted, it does get real loud at night, but thats part of the nature of the beast of staying in the middle of the city like this. Also, don't expect to find parking anywhere. We actually parked across the bay and took public transit all weekend and it worked out real well.
So get reservations, explore a really cool area, and prepare to meet some of the most random travelers in the country.
Great rates, great location (close to china town and little italy, walking distance to downtown, the metro and the BART). clean, good food. great social feel with lots to do.
Yeah, it rocks.
I've never actually seen the rooms. But, they're adventure travels are awesome. Lazy traveler's Burning Man trip. Yeah. Burning man. Food, yummm..
And, the people who work there are cool. Kinda hippie like and stuff. But, they seem to like their job.
Once, I met a cute girl and she brought me up to their activitie room at the hostel and we were making out and stuff. It was fun. I liked it. So, I like them.
Have fun
I had a wonderful time and would recommend it to anyone visiting San Francisco. Lots of interesting visitors means you will hear amusing stories and meet new friends, if you'd like. Friendly 24-hour staff means you will not feel lost when visiting, nor troubled should questions arise. Free dinners on Mon/Wed/Fri are tasty and a good excuse to talk with strangers, and make the reasonable price per night even more reasonable.
The Green Tortoise was my first hostel experience in recent memory, and pleasant enough that I would recommend it over a hotel for anyone who doesn't mind the excitement of a bunch of mostly young adults.
Yeah, I have to say, this is probably the least scary hostel in the city, that I've seen. Had a large group of friends come in for the weekend, and they booked this place. It was pretty clean, from what they said, and we hung out and got hammered in the main dining room (which is huge) all night long. The location is not ideal, being right next to all the north beach strip clubs and all (or maybe it is ideal, depending on what your plans are), but it manages to keep a different vibe on the inside that what is on the streets outside.
Well, I've never stayed here but it reminded me of a friend's story who came to the States for job interviews and needless to say was on a budget hence putting up at this hostel. He was putting on a suit and tie in the morning, getting ready for his interviews and many around him were blank faced...."what is this business guy doing in a hostel?" Anyway, my bf and I ventured up there one evening and just had a look around to see what is this place all about since we heard loud music coming onto the streets from upstairs....decent hall, ppl were nice and friendly and they also have some brochures offering trips to Burning Man, Caribbean, South and Central America....
I have had the occasion to stay at the Green Tortoise twice and both times were pretty good experiences. The first time I stayed by myself and had possibly the most boring trip to SF I've ever had (I hate traveling alone) but my room was great and looked out over the street which made it pretty noisy in an old building. The second stay I had my little boy with me and had a much better time. The rooms are small, perfect for two and their kitchen wonderful for preparing your own meals. The dining room needs some serious love, it's really pretty beat up but huge and airy, it has a lot of potential. The guests are pretty friendly and this is apparent when strangers from all over the world take time to chat with my very outgoing son. Most people don't know that kids can actually stay at hostels so kids are a pretty rare sight (I''ve only sighted one other family in all my years of hosteling) but they are wonderful for families like mine. I loved the location of the Green Tortoise but there are many strip clubs and sex shops in the area so you may have to field some awkward questions from the kids (on a recent trip I had the bouncer of one of these clubs tell my then 11 year old son to come back when he's 18 which was a really funny moment as we walked by) so anyhoo, colorful neighborhood and a pretty decent hostel (or should I say guest house) but not the best I've stayed in, (the HI hostels are usually cleaner and better run) but full of that renegade spirit.
perfect for college students wanting to eat Italian, drink beer down the hill, catch strippers at lusty, hike to Coit, blah, blah, blah; get back on Green Tortoise and continue down to LA la land
