100th Anniversary Party at all three San Francisco Hostels (August 29)

Posted by admin on Jul 30, 2009

From a late morning brunch to an afternoon BBQ, our three San Francisco hostels are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the hostelling movement and the 75th anniversary of Hostelling International USA with a progressive party across the city.

Join us on Saturday, August 29, and enjoy free food and drinks, live music and DJs, scavenger hunts and prize giveaways, hostel tours, and more. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a beginning backpacker, a seasoned hosteller, or a local who just wants to join in the celebration. You can spend the whole day with us, or jump in to the festivities at any point along the way!

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Pancake and Mimosa Brunch

San Francisco Downtown Hostel
312 Mason Street, San Francisco

Start the party off with a free brunch and open house at the San Francisco Downtown Hostel, located in the heart of Union Square.

Enjoy a yummy brunch spread, including fresh-from-the-griddle pancakes and mimosas for the over 21 crowd. Take part in the scavenger hunt and prize giveaway, and take a tour of the hostel (offered every half hour from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) to see the extensive renovations the hostel has undergone in the past year.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Wine and Cheese Reception

San Francisco City Center Hostel
685 Ellis Street, San Francisco

The party moves from downtown to the Civic Center district for a free wine and cheese reception held in the San Francisco City Center Hostel’s charming Ivy’s Cafe.

Snack on sandwiches, cheeses, and other finger foods while sipping wine at the cafe’s prohibition-era bar. Groove to the beats laid down by local DJ Chris Taylor, who will be on hand to keep the afternoon lively.

Other activities include a scavenger hunt with prize giveaway, tours of this 1920s boutique hotel turned hostel (departing every half hour from 1:00 -2:30 p.m.), and ongoing screenings of the new short video What Is a Hostel?.

2:30 - 6:00 p.m.: Bayside BBQ and Concert

San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel
Fort Mason, Building 240, San Francisco

The afternoon culminates in a free bayside BBQ and concert held at the San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel, located on the edge of the city in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Chow down on Niman Ranch hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie options, and sip beer from local microbreweries while taking in the stunning views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Afterward, take part in the last scavenger hunt and prize giveaway of the day, and go on a guided tour of this historic hostel (departing every half hour between 3:00-4:30 p.m.).

At 4:00 p.m., put your hands together for The Jenny Kerr Band, a San Francisco group with a big blues sound. A multi-instrumentalist as well as a poetic and passionate songwriter, Jenny Kerr is known for foot-stomping live shows and a powerful, authentic voice. Kerr is a skilled player of fingerstyle guitar, clawhammer banjo, harmonica, piano, and dobro. Together with her band of road-tested rogues, she delivers a seasoned yet spirited sound with forays into swamp rock, straight-up soul, backwater honky tonk, and old-time blues.

The Jenny Kerr Band will perform a two-hour set, and will be preceded by a DJ starting at 2:30 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt and Prizes

At each of the three hostels, guests can take part in an interactive scavenger hunt. Explore these unique hostels and mingle with the friendly staff and guests to complete the quest, then turn in your list to be entered into the prize giveaways held at each hostel.

In addition, partygoers can also enter to win an Anniversary Week Grand Prize Package, which includes:

• A three-night private room stay for two people at any HI-USA Golden Gate Council hostel
• A Flip Ultra video camera
• Two one-year Hostelling International memberships
• Two 27-ounce stainless steel Klean Kanteens
• Two 100% organic cotton zippered hoodies with original artwork by Michael Wertz

100 Years of Hostelling

This event is part of a series of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the hostelling movement and the 75th anniversary of Hostelling International USA.

• Check out the full list of anniversary parties being held at Northern California hostels, August 23-30.
• Find information about anniversary celebrations being held at hostels across the U.S. and around the globe.
• Read more about the history of hostelling in Northern California and the history of hostelling worldwide.