I've visited a few times. The beach is beautiful with a sandy and boulder beach front. The lighthouse was recently renovated. I don't know if visitors can go in, I never asked. There's a hostel there as well. Walking through the small museum to the back, you may see seals swimming around looking for food. On a stormy day, the waves are extra large splashing against the rocks. An absolutely beautiful scenery. There's a small free parking lot, and if it's full, you can park on the side of the road. read more

What an absolutely beautiful location for a hostel! Although our stay was just for one night, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. ​The room was clean, and the beds were comfortable (linens and covers are picked up from the reception upon check-in). The shared kitchen is well-equipped with all necessary appliances and utensils. ​As with any hostel, your stay depends on your fellow travelers. Thankfully, aside from one non-friendly individual, we were lucky to share the space with a lot of cool people. ​The true highlight here is the hot tub! Don't forget to book a slot. Soaking in the hot water while looking over the Pacific Ocean is a magnificent, must-have experience. If you're lucky, you'll catch a gorgeous sunset from the Jacuzzi, and the night sky on clear evenings is absolutely breathtaking. Highly recommend! read more

Staff was friendly,Rooms well kept. Stayed over the weekend met some college kids from Melbourne. Words can't express how greatful I am to have had the time to reflect at such a beautiful location. Highly recommend will one thousand percent be returning. Thank you ,thank you,thank you. read more

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Having a night right besides a lighthouse and an ocean shores is an amazing experience. We've seen harbor seals, sea palms, brown pelicans. Looks like during summer we would also be abele see humpback and grey whales. Everything in one place! Stuff is friendly and can give a recommendations for local places and really sweet people. I would love to come back here once lighthouse restoration is completed. P.S. they also have hot tube so bring swim suit. They can provide towels. Lowered from 5 to 4 stars since I didn't have great sleep. It was hard to fall asleep, probably because we used to slightly wider beds. I know it's completely expected for a hostel. I couldn't adjust to a pillows: with a pillow it's too high for me. Without - too low :( read more

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Love this place! I see this as a mini retreat place. The hostel is charming and clean. I enjoyed the lighthouse museum which was very interesting. All of it was special. Peaceful, and right on top of the ocean. It was lovely to sit out on the little patio with drinks in the evening, and then to practice yoga in the morning. I found lots of quiet spots. We did go at a quiet time when the weather wasn't so nice. It was cool grey and overcast but it was still very beautiful as far as we were concerned. We will be back for sure. We wanted to come back for Thanksgiving but they were fully booked! read more

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I went over to see a friend who was staying at this hostel a few days ago. The hostel itself is quite charming and clean. It was actually quite a bit nicer than I thought it would be. Even the kitchen was spotless and really nice. That said the customer service person that I spoke with I found to be rude, pushy, and very upper handed. Telling us that we needed to listen to him, and blah blah blah. Who speaks that way to customers?! Not appropriate. Kevin kept looking below... my face and my friend Hannah's when he was talking to us, we both felt like he was creepy. To make matters worse he would NOT stop talking. We finally had to literally cut him off so we could walk out of the office.... Nice place to stay, but the guy working was a real piece of work. read more

After too many years of driving by and remarking that we should at least stop and walk around, we booked a weekend for my wife's birthday. Well, the weather didn't cooperate at all, cold and foggy. But it was that way at home as well up and down the coast. As seasoned travelers, we brought clothing that would allow us to enjoy the facility, And scenery. Which we did. The accommodations were just fine. We were given clean sheets when we checked, you can rent towels but we brought our own, and proceeded to our room. A small room with an interesting bunk bed. The lower bed can accommodate 2 adults and the upper bunk is adult sized. The was an alcove closet to hang our clothes and a complete, albeit smallish, bathroom down the hallway. This 3 private room cottage also boasts a large kitchen, with some utensils and such, a dining table and a large living room. We had cell service but they also provide very adequate WIFI. Here are a few pix of our stay. read more

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I stopped here a few months ago on my way to do some sightseeing with friends. This place also has a hostel where you can stay right up close and personal to the lighthouse and the beach. They also have a souvenir shop and book store. There are cliffs everywhere and you can look out and see the ocean for miles. The views are breathtaking. There's plenty of free parking if you get there early. If you're handicapped it would be more difficult to get around. There are picnic tables and benches to sit have lunch and take in these spectacular views. You can walk up and around the lighthouse or take a stroll on the beach. It can get pretty windy here even in May so I would suggest bringing a jacket. On warmer days, you can bring a blanket and have a picnic lunch on the beach or at one of the picnic tables. It's a great place to stop and take some pictures. Pigeon Point Light Station or Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse built in 1871 to guide ships on the Pacific coast of California. It's the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast. It's 115 feet tall and is still used by the Coast Guard.The lantern room of the double-walled tower supports a huge four-ton lens. It's the largest first- order Fresnel lens and has 1,008 glass elements mounted in a brass framework.It was capable of producing 500,000 candle power illumination. It was first lit with lard oil ( pig oil) then replaced with mineral oil (kerosene lamp) in 1888. This lens system was perfected by Augustin Fresnel, pronounced fra-NELL, in 1822. It was manufactured in France. The lens focuses light from a flame or bulb into 24 separate beams that radiate outward, up to 24 miles on a clear night.It has a powerful clockwork mechanism which slowly rotates the lens. The mariners had to wind it by hand and climb up a long winding spiraling staircase. The ships were able to see a white flash every 10 seconds to help guide them. It got its name from a Clipper ship that wrecked in 1853 called the Carrier Pigeon thus the name. Previously, the point had been known as Punta de las Ballenas (Point of the Whales), as a whaling station was located nearby. When I saw this gigantic lens it blew me away. It no longer lights up, but it's incredible to see. I didn't realize how big it was, and how many lenses it took to create it. It was really nice having a narrator to explain everything about this historic lighthouse at the visitors center. I learned so much, just talking with him. It's definitely worth stopping and walking on the beach or taking time to experience the views all around. You can bring your dog on the beach , but not in the lighthouse. read more

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I cannot believe how beautiful it is there! I want to work and live there. Kelsey And Kevin were so very nice. Views are wild! Cannot wait to go back read more

A nice stop off as you make your way down to Big Sur. The lighthouse was closed but we were at least able to take some pics of the outside and the ship wreckage! read more

HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel - Hostels Near Me - Pescadero, California

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Wow! What a spectacular time at the Pigeon Point lighthouse. I love Pigeon Point, and knew that I wanted to stay in the hostel for the longest time. Kevin, the manager, was so knowledgeable and eager to help. I highly suggest taking a dip in the hot tub, overlooking the ocean. A unique and peaceful experience for only $10. The accommodations were great and for such a low fee! The bed was supportive, and actually helped me with some neck problems I have been having. I got some of the deepest sleep I have gotten in a while. We met some wonderful people who were traveling through. The longue was roomy and cozy and I felt so relaxed. I defiantly felt like a salty seadog when I opened the window to some heavy wind and rain. To save on fees, book through the HI website and not Booking.com, they take a $13 fee. If you are not from the area, bring your own food, Davenport is a small town that doesn't have much, and Santa Cruz is further. I am 110% going to recommend this to friends and family members. My family is thinking of taking their own trip! This place is a keeper! read more

Driving down Highway 1 along the coast came to Hi-Pigeon Point Lighthouse. This is a great spot to learn some history and enjoy the surrounding view. They rooms you purchased and you can stay for the tours. Lots of history to be learned. read more

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I've stayed in many hostels, so spartan furniture and shared bathrooms were as expected -- but everything was clean and comfortable. For anyone like a coworker of mine for whom a Days Inn would be roughing it and thought hostels went extinct decades ago, make sure you can embrace the right mindset. The location is ridiculous. We saw well over a dozen whales. The lighthouse itself has been closed to access since 2001, but you're staying in the adjacent former keepers' quarters. Note that as it's also a state historic site, it gets busy with Highway 1 travelers during the day. The site includes a small beach, although there are nicer beaches within a couple miles in either direction on Highway 1. Private rooms, meant for families but suitable for any small groups traveling together, seem to book far in advance on weekends. Come prepared to self-cater; pick up groceries by Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay. Otherwise, there's a brewpub nearby, but outside summer, they're closed a couple days of the week and also close early in the evening. read more

HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel - Family time on the beach - Hostels Near Me - Pescadero, California

what a delight! clean rooms, ocean views, and thorough staff and manager, and -- a hot tub!

It was a great place to go and visitZ actually got to stay there and although the stay was alright and also a bit on the pricey side the night time sky definitely makes it worthwhile! Just hope that it is on a clear day because if it's cloudy you won't be able to see the night sky much. read more

Driving up the coast to Santa Cruz is such a lovely drive. Drove by this light house many times and decided to swing by for a walk. As I approached the light house from HWY 1, there is parking to the right on the dirt road. There's also a few parking spaces in front of the lighthouse within the gates. There are two public toilets near the entrance, should you need them. The lighthouse is beautiful but is fenced off and you cannot go inside. However, behind the lighthouse is a small museum and gift shop, which opens between 9 am - 4 pm, There is also a small beach to the left of the lighthouse entrance. You will see a path which leads to a circle shaped seating area. Continue walking toward the sea and you will see steps leading down to the beach. I noticed a few people fishing and some were climbing on the rocks to the right. The tides were coming in, so do this at your own risk. It was such a windy but picturesque day along the coast. Made sweeter with a visit to a lighthouse area. Definitely worth a side trip, if you happen to be driving along the coast and need to stretch your legs. The walk around the lighthouse is pleasant and enjoyable with the views. Bring a picnic or snack, as there aren't any eateries around there. read more

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The variety of beaches along the coast are great and these are photos from Henry Bean Dog Beach and a scene from Half-moon Beach. The beaches that don't restrict dogs are this one as well as Miramar. The Pigeon Point Hostel is very quiet and had a historical small museum that I was able to go to before the pandemic, and hope it reopened. It has a huge structure of the lights of the lighthouse and a spiral staircase from the old structure in a museum and a giftstore. read more

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This review is based on the info gathered, as we were not guests. Entranced by the beauty of the lighthouse from Highway 1, we drove over to investigate the beach and take pictures. We then stopped in to inquire about the property and discovered it's a hostel. They have a hot tub right outside with a view of the ocean - hot damn. It's right on the cliff! You can reserve it for a couple people at a time. WOW. There are 4 different houses, and each house sleeps 15. There's a living room and kitchen in each. I think it would be awesome to rent a whole house and bring a group of friends to stay here. They have firepits and a common area where they show movies every night. Seals come in and hang out. The property is surrounded by ocean on 3 sides. The beach is wonderful. I'm too much of a chicken to stay at a hostel, but this place is so inviting and beautiful and kind staff that I'm greatly intrigued. I would recommend that you give this a try! read more

HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel - Lovely sunset! - Hostels Near Me - Pescadero, California

Hey it is free! Free to park. Free to roam. Lighthouse tour is not open to the public due to safety conditions. Restrooms? Forget about it. The stench can be detected miles away. Better plug both nostrils very deep. You have been warned. Parking wasn't too bad. There's street parking if you don't have any luck. read more

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Pigeon Point lighthouse is a beautiful tower. You can see that it has been through a lot. It was built in the year 1871 and is 115 feet tall. This lighthouse is now fenced off and tours are no longer given. We stayed in the hostel overnight. If you are a guest you can reserve the Cliffside Hot Tub for 30 minutes or longer. We highly recommend it. Life is better in the hot tub next to the waves read more

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This hostel feels run-down. In particular the first house has a mildew smell throughout it. The second house (Dolphin) however was fine. But for the price they are charging the value seems to be not there. Back when HI charged $15 per night they had better hostels, so I don't know why they can't do proper maintenance now that they charge $38 per night and just fix the mildew problem. One odd thing was that several other visitors were local yokels who claimed they were staying at the hostel to get away from Silicon Valley. However they kind of brought their techie condescending narrow-minded behavior with them, so beware you may encounter techies who think they are smart but are not. read more

If there was a way I could leave a zero star review, I would. Upon arrival I was told that my reservation got cancelled. I don't understand why I got canceled especially since I received no notification whatsoever that they were canceling it. Upon asking for a reason as to why it was cancelled, the person checking everyone in (Michael), was not willing to give me an explanation beyond that it was canceled. I get that this place is very popular, and they could not make any space available for us. All I wanted was an answer as to why after making this reservation over 5 months ago, it was suddenly canceled a week without notification. Upon asking for the contact information of the person in charge of canceling it , I was told that not possible. I asked them to contact her, and was met with not only resistance, but not even a willingness to leave her a note or send her an email. The worst part about all of this is that I have been trying to call them for well over a week because I wanted to make sure that they can accommodate for disabilities. In the time I kept trying to call them, no one would pick up the phone read more

Arg, well I finally went to check this place out this summer. #1) I asked for a bottom bunk, which I did not get. He said it didn't come though and I should have called. Um yea, HOW WOULD I KNOW THAT? #2) Front desk staff was very rude. He would not let me sign up for hot tub alone and would not let me with other people. Stupid policy. SO basically you should not go to this hostel as a single person. There is not way to sign up for hot tub alone at all, and he let people who checked in after me sign up! I call that discrimination. I was pretty upset with the front desk guy so walked away and went to sit in the living room. HE followed me and told me if I couldn't be more appropriate he was going to ask me to leave. WHAT????? Let me be clear: -I did not swear at him or call him names -I asked why and for him to explain how we could work this out, he had no suggestions -He just kept saying "I only work here" -I am allowed to have strong emotions when something is unfair. I had looked forward to this for awhile. If that makes you uncomfortable that is YOUR problem. Not mine. He was mean and did not have any ideas how we could work this out. That's not customer service. I was upset because I felt this was so unfair to a SINGLE person. I was expressing my frustration with the ridiculous situation and I am writing this review for my fellow single travelers. I left and got a full refund. Traveling alone is hard and sometimes sad, but I refuse to stay home all summer and not see the world. I know you may feel that way to, it's okay. Travel and have fun. read more

My girl friend and I had the best little getaway here in the midst of Memorial Day weekend 2019. We're both based in the East Bay so getting here was just a short drive. I booked our room months in advance, in anticipation of this holiday weekend, and it worked out beautifully. Because check-in starts at exactly 3:30 PM, there was a bit of a queue by the time we got to the registration counter, which is inside a tiny building. But once we got to the counter, the process went pretty smooth, we managed to book a desirable hot tub time, and we received our sheets and pillowcase in a really efficiently packed bundle. Our 2 beds inside the all-female 6-person dorm (the Dolphin suite) was surprisingly spacious and clean, and we had a perfect view of the oceanfront from one window and the lighthouse from the other. While we didn't spend a lot of time getting to know our dorm mates, everyone was very polite and respected the rules. The hot tub was definitely a rare and very memorable treat, as we spotted seals frolicking in the waves from our vantage point, and it was a little cold and drizzly that day but the hot water left us warm through and through. For dinner we drove a short distance way toward Santa Cruz where the amazing food and brews were. When we came back everyone else was asleep but they left the red nightlight on for us. In the morning, we took a walk around the lighthouse and had some breakfast in the back of the hostel where there were picnic tables facing the ocean. The cool and misty weather was perfectly pleasant throughout our time there. My girl friend said this was the best trip she ever had so far. Thanks Pigeon Point Lighthouse for your awesome stewardship of this place! read more

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It was a pleasure to finally get to experience this hostel earlier this month, having intended to do so since around 2008. The staff was very welcoming (the most out of all the Bay Area hostels, IMO) and the views are stellar, both with an enormous night starscape and the blazing sun the following morning. Fellow travelers were communal and friendly, with an appealing mix of backgrounds and itineraries. Though I feel I'm personally growing out of the hostel experience, I'd consider another night here! read more

Neat Lighthouse but a little run-down. We were driving along the coastline and stopped to see this older lighthouse. It has an easy exit and entrance to the highway and a parking lot close to the parking lot. Much of the area is fenced off including the light house itself. That does not prevent you from walking the grounds. There are several items to see to include a small garden, a walkway to see the surf on the south and a set of stairs down to the beach. On our visit there was a seal asleep on the beach. It was very cool to see and made the visit very special for us. If you like lighthouses, then this is a good place for you. read more

HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel - Site Sign - Hostels Near Me - Pescadero, California

This was our first stop at the Hostel. We always stop at Pigeon Point lighthouse when riding down the coast. The Hostel is located right next to the lighthouse. I haven't been inside a hostel since I was in Europe, where they are very popular. So we went in the office and a very friendly guy greeted us. He explained how the hostel operates, described the rooms and lodging options, pricing and general house rules. This brought back a ton of memories from my prior travels. Not surprising most of the guests that stay here are European, it's something they are familiar with and the low lodging costs are very appealing. To get there you will need a car or motorcycle. However they are working with transit districts to get bus or van transportation as they had that service before. This will certainly be more convenient for the travelers. The accommodations are communal. There is a common living room, kitchen and bathroom in each cottage. The dormitory rooms sleep from for to six people. Men and women are in separate rooms. Of course arrangements / changes are made for couples and families. The prices are VERY reasonable! The cottages are within steps of the cliffs giving amazing views. Fresh air, amazing views. Nature at its best. You can often see whales during the migrating seasons. There is a non profit working with the state collecting funds to fix up the lighthouse. Www.pigeonpointhoatel.org read more

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We took a walk around here. There is a mini beach with a staircase to go down. The water colors were breathtaking. There is suppose to be a mini hot tub for the hostel folks but i think it is closed for now? read more

HOSTEL - Pigeon Point Hostel - Hosteling Intl. Ok, huge hesitation here. This place is one of my guilty pleasures and I hate to give it away... like giving away your favorite fishing spots. but then, i think most of you may be into pricey hotels, so this may not even appeal to you... Hostels are not for everyone - they are one step above camping and a few steps below hotels. They are communal living on a temporary basis. Its a great place if you are travelling alone and want to socialize and meet foreign visitors, or you can get a private room at a hostel and stay to yourself. In any case, most hostels are pretty basic accommodations, but usually always clean, always have a lounge area, and a communal kitchen where you cook your own food. The price is always a bargain and the staff I've always found to be helpful. This is my alltime favorite hostel. Have you ever dreamed of staying at a LIGHTHOUSE? Dreams come true. On a ledge overlooking the ocean, in Pescadero, you can awaken to the sound of the ocean crashing against the cliffs below. You can make friends with other hostelers or stay in a private room and stay to yourself. You can sit in a cozy redwood hot tub and practice your German with foreign guests from the alps or frankfurt, or wherever. I have some great memories of this place, and always wanted to go back there and work there. the location and lighthouse make it my TOP hostel of all those I've stayed in, well at least on the same level as the Castle hostel I stayed in, in Wales. read more

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As Arnold says, I'll be back! I've stayed in a good handful of hostels, both within the US and international. However, it's safe for me to say this one has the best location, if you're into beaches, scenic views, and waking up to ocean air. I'm actually amazed that a hostel exists out here. It's located just off of Highway 1; the "point" where the hostel is located is surrounded by the ocean. If this was a hotel and not a hostel, I'd expect to pay upwards of $200/night. At HI Pigeon Point, you can have ocean views for a paltry $30/night (*gasp). I'm actually from the Bay Area and booked this place one weekend (really needed a quick getaway). Saw some really good reviews and decided to check this place out. Location: -Less than 1.5 hours away if you're coming from San Jose or parts of the East Bay. -It's located south of Half Moon Bay, off of Highway 1. You'll cruise down Highway 1 and turn into a street which will lead you to the hostel/lighthouse. -Highway 1 is very scenic; be prepared to make several pit stops along the side of the road to snap some pics. -Once you see the lighthouse, you're there. The hostel shares the same parking lot as the lighthouse; you can also park along the street if the lot is full. Checking-in: -You'll see a sign pointing you to the check-in room. They'll give you a key for your room and a key code to get into your building. A $20 deposit is also needed for the key. Bedding will be given to you by the check-in person. -Yes, there is a hot tub that overlooks the ocean. $8 for 30 minutes (you need at least two people in order to sign up). I didn't use the hot tub, but if you have your mind set on taking a dip, I recommend checking in early to make sure you get a spot (there's a sign up sheet). Facilities: -There are several dorm buildings; each one probably has a similar set up. -My building had a living room area, several dorm rooms, a kitchen, and one or two extra bathrooms. -Inside my dorm room was 3 sets of bunk beds, lockers, closet, and single person bathroom. -Things were a little dated, but it was clean and I had no complaints. -Kitchen had fridges, microwave, stove, and full stock of kitchen items (mugs, plates, pans, etc). People: -Great mix of people; there were locals (like myself) and folks from the US/international. I met solo travelers as well as families. -The kitchen was a good place to get conversations going. I sat there for about 2 hours and people came and went; folks sat down to eat and chat. Once the sun sets, there isn't much to do in the vicinity, so I felt this hostel was more social than others I've been to. Things to do: -Picnic! They have several picnic benches closer to the lighthouse side. -BBQ! On the backside of the hostel buildings, there's another area with BBQ grills and picnic tables. -Take in the scenery; walk the premises and gaze at the ocean and admire the lighthouse. If you also go further down the road parallel to the ocean, you'll find quiet spots with benches. Note that it may be hard to spot the benches from the road. -You can't go into the lighthouse (it's fenced off), but it's a great landmark for some selfies and Kodak moments. -The lighthouse has a small museum and gift shop to check out. -Grab a book and find yourself one of the Adirondack chairs behind the hostel buildings. Sit near the waves and enjoy your favorite author. -Head to nearby downtown Pescadero and check out their shops/restaurants. Grab a loaf of artichoke bread from Arcangeli's Grocery. Tips: -You'll need a car to get here; public transportation won't work. -Pescadero is a small town; try to bring everything you need. However, if you forgot something, the hostel check-in counter has a few items for sale. Or, you can head to the shops downtown. -Bring a lock for the locker, so you can secure your valuables. -They do have private rooms if you have larger groups. -Book your rooms early; this place is pretty popular. -Get to the hostel early if you want to guarantee yourself a hot tub spot (min 2 people in your party). -Bring earplugs just in case your bottom bunk mate is snores galore. -Bring your own towels; don't forget this isn't a hotel. -Don't forget your jacket/sweater. It can be breezy/cold by the coast. -Wake up early and maybe you can catch the cool morning fog. -Since entertainment at night is limited (you're in the middle of nowhere), bring your own indoor entertainment (books, cards, movies, games, etc). HI Pigeon Point is definitely worth checking out. Lighthouse landmark. Surrounded by ocean waters. Meeting new people. Nature. Budget friendly. Hot tub. Picturesque. read more

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Such an awesome experience. I had heard about this from a coworker and also stopped by once to see the lighthouse on a drive down to Monterrey. The second we saw it my girlfriend and I knew we'd have to come back for a stay. I think I made our reservation in February and the first available Saturday night private room spot wasn't until July... so I'd definitely recommend reserving well in advance. It's close enough to San Francisco that it's perfect for a quick weekend trip or a stop on the way down to Southern California. It's definitely pretty rustic, but still clean and what you'd expect from a hostel. There's not really any food nearby, so I'd recommend bringing your own dinner if you plan on arriving early in the afternoon. There's a private hot tub you can rent by the half hour for $7/person-- kind of pricey, but a hot tub that sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean is a pretty unreal experience and absolutely worth it. The guy that was running the front desk was awesome and really nice, and even recommended the best hot tub reservation hour to watch the sun set. There are some great beaches you can spend hours walking around on (not particularly sunny) and there's also a pick-your-own berry place about fifteen minutes down the highway. read more

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What a beautifully unique place! Such a hidden gem and the perfect escape! I brought my daughter here with her friends for a birthday weekend. We rented a bedroom of 6 bunks which had its own bathroom. We had a wonderful weekend with million dollar views! When we were here, Jeff the manager even had put his telescope one moonless night and we were able to see Jupiter and its moons, and many other beautiful stars! What a memorable weekend! We will definitely be coming back! read more

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We booked a private room in January, the first available Saturday would be July 11th. We went. While they do have couches, decent sheets, a kitchen and a fantastic view. While I realize that it is a hostel, they could really do with a cleaning person who actually appreciates clean. I can't stand filth and this place is only superficially clean. It was a good once off experience. The hot tub is a MUST. You HAVE to be there at 3:30 to book it as you check in, otherwise you won't get a time slot. The walls are paper thin, but I took some ear plugs (they also sell them in the office) and slept like a baby. Be forewarned, this type of traveling is not for everyone. If you like privacy, your own bathroom and a non-squeaky bed, this is not for you. I'm going to add a few more "realistic" photos. read more

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A fine hostel with a mostly older, Californian crowd. This was the final stop on a recent swing along the central coast of California and route 1. In general things went well and I would recommend it. We stayed in a private room the first night and a dorm on the second. There is only one person on staff so things are tightly regulated at check in but loose once you are in. The staff was very helpful when I had questions. They have a nice hot tub you can reserve. The kitchens where used and an actual social hub. I met several folks and had some long conversation while cooking and sharing a dinner table. Felt like being in a home (the dolphin dorm). Pescadero was a real gem...great food and near several nice farms (berries!) and outdoor adventures. There were several bikers there but I was glad to have a car...the folks without seems a bit stuck, I am not sure how they got there to begin with. There is a nice little beach right by the hostel where we saw a harbor seal. The wave crashing on the shore create a good atmosphere most of the time. The area is often foggy and cool even in August. Didn't really think much of the historic light house itself. Not a bad spot at all to get away. There are also some nice campsites in the area as an alternative. read more

At 65, I've just had my first hostel experience and I'm glad Pigeon Point was the place. In my youth, I backpacked and camped but, to be truthful, for the last 35 years, I've been staying most often at luxury hotels. A friend and I booked this when we both found that, for 30 years, we wanted to stay here, because of its spectacular location on the Pacific coast. We weren't at all disappointed - except for the fact that they do not allow alcohol. It would have been especially nice to sit outside and savor the beautiful sunset while sipping a special CA vintage with my dear friend. Silvia and I had our own room and a private bath at a senior rate of $45. The cottage had several other six bed rooms with community baths, a nice community living room and kitchen with large dining table and dishes, cutlery, pans, etc, so you could cook your own meals and seat and eat on the patio, overlooking the ocean. It was heaven to sleep with the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks and the shore. I found the staff very pleasant and accomodating and, like many others, we ate at Duarte's in Pescadero and bought some of that fabulous artichoke garlic bread and some other treats from Arcangel Bakery in Pescadero! read more

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Pretty awesome! It's a hostel located on the grounds of a lighthouse (Pigeon Point Lighthouse) on Highway 1, between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. You know what this means? It means that you can go to sleep with the fresh ocean breeze rolling through your open window. It means you can wake up to an ocean sunrise and walk along the beach. it means that you can gaze up at the towering lighthouse at night and dream of a simpler time in Californian history. It means you can drive as far as your heart desires on Highway 1 and still have a place to come back to at night. It means you can meet others who have traversed Highway 1 and the parks along the way and discuss your adventures. Pigeon Point Hostel is also located on northern elephant seal breeding grounds. If you look hard (not even that hard) you can spot new pups laying out on the rocks. There's also a hot tub located along the cliffs that gives you amazing views. I wasn't aware that you had to reserve a spot ahead of time so unfortunately I was unable to situate myself in this magnificent hot tub but I've heard great things about it. Definitely stop by if you're driving down Highway 1. Even if you're not planning on checking into the hostel, take a look at the scenery and the lighthouse and gain some admiration for human-nature interaction. read more

Location. Location. Location. Pigeon Point has by far the most scenic location of any hostel I've stayed in. The hostel consists of several small buildings at the base of a large lighthouse that sits atop a cliff right beside the ocean. The place is beautiful. In the evening you can soak in a hot tub that overlooks the ocean. During the day there are some short walking trails around the lovely grounds. Common areas and kitchens are nice. The woman that checked us in was amazing. Obviously this isn't a 5-star hotel so you can expect things to be a little rough around the edges. My only real complaint, though, is that the beautiful location means that you're also far from everything else. You'll need to hop in the car to see most of the local sites or to go to a restaurant. read more

HI-Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel - Pigeon Point Lighthouse - Hostels Near Me - Pescadero, California

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We loved this place. My husband and I stayed here as a quick getaway from the city. We got exactly what we bargained for. The hostel wasn't very busy since its the off season and it really added to the relaxing vibe we were hoping for. The hot tub on the cliff is an amazing added bonus. read more

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A couple of months ago we stopped at the lighthouse on our way to the Año Nuevo park (they have elephant seals) and really liked it here. The place is picturesque and offers a great view onto the coast, ocean, and lighthouse. When we noticed the hostel we decided to spend a night or weekend here. They have family rooms. Make sure you book ahead. We had to book three months ahead to get one night in the family room. When we arrived checkin was very friendly and fast. The room in the "whale" building as a bit smaller than expected but very cozy and had enough space for our toddlers pack&play where she sleeps. The kitchen and living room added a very nice space to spend the evening before and after she went to bet. The sunset is stunning and the light house which is operational also adds to the ambiance. We will certainly try to come back here, next time ideally for a full weekend. Check out the lighthouse museum, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Great family weekend. When we stayed (January 2008) the prices were $23/adult, $10/under 14. I'm only posting this because it's the YELPish thing to do. If I call up and try to get a reservation and y'all have it booked up, I'm gonna be pissed... BEST BET: Go in the winter (December through March) and couple it with a day hike at Ano Nuevo State Beach to watch the Elephant Seals (http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523). The Pigeon Point Hostel has 3 little "houses" each with bunk rooms, a private room, living room, and kitchen (stocked with all the plates, pots-and-pans, & utensils you'll need). The beds have fresh sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. We stayed in the "Seal" house. The largest bunk room had its own bathroom. There was another bathroom in the hall. It was very comfortable and there was plenty of room for the kids to run around inside and out. The lighthouse is just outside the front door. Very cool. Since there was a pretty gnarly storm happening when we arrived, everyone hunkered down inside their respective homes and out of the weather. The hot tub was an adventure ($7 per hour). If you go during a storm, watch out for the freezing rain that collects on the roof and then dumps down onto your head with each strong gust of wind. Can you say brain freeze? TIP #1: Get there by 3:30pm in order to reserve a slot in the hot tub. TIP #2: Turn off the big blue light over the deck before entering the tub. The switch is in the little entry room. You'll get a better view of the light beam from the lighthouse as it passes over the crashing waves below. The ocean views are incredible. The weather cleared the next day as we sipped coffee and hot chocolate on a little wooden bench overlooking the surf. The perfect rustic weekend getaway. read more

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