I love Hostel California. I've stayed here three different times, and will stay here many more. It's a very spacious hostel and they always provide blankets and a towel. In the shower, you'll find a mixture of bronner's and water, so bring your own toiletries if you require anything else. There's various common areas, both inside and out. There's parking on site, and street parking as well. read more

See all

I've been to this hostel a dozen times, and I loved it. The owner is great. If the place is full, he has couches here and there and does what he can to get you a place to sleep. This is a fun place to hang out. Everyone gets together to talk, and you will meet folks from all over the world. It is relaxing: An American Indian peace pipe should be their symbol. Easy Esposito read more

We were not guests nor had a reservation to stay here....all we needed was a shower after Trekking 67 miles from Mammoth to Bishop. We arrived very very close to closing time...the gentleman that answered the door was very kind to let us in and use their shower. Absolutely happy, the place is very well kept, clean and full of art and culture. Will definitely be back here for a stay Thank you for warm welcome! read more

What a Great place!! Stopped here when the forests /Pct closed down 2021 and Love it here . the staff are super friendly and hard working. Highly recommend this place . Lots of options for staying . A common bunk space or a private room . Also the guests are very friendly and kind . Could not imagine staying anywhere else in Bishop ! Rock ON WITH TWENTY BILLION GARLIC NAAN HOSTEL SOCKS ON !! TELL your friends to stay here !! read more

Hostel California - Courtyard common space . - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

Stopped by this business/hostel to pay for a shower (I wasn't a staying guest), around 2 PM on 10/19/22. The exact time and date are necessary to ensure the owner can identify who was present, because I was received by an arrogant employee. Upon arrival, the front door was locked (a doorbell must be pressed to summon someone) and it seemed to be normal practice for the establishment. Which happened to be illegal, against safety laws. I immediately asked why to my greeter, whose response was dismissive and ranged from never hearing such thing ("door to remain unlocked during business hours") to reasoning that it was locked to prevent random outsiders coming in and committing unwanted acts like stealing. Yes, that's a valid concern that ALL businesses probably have. Plus, this wasn't a personal residence or even an Airbnb (clarification: it appeared to be a former private residence converted into a hostel business, with reception area and cash register). Basically, the greeter was deflecting from the fact that this lodging maintained insufficient staffing to station someone at the front lobby. It was also a chance for said greeter to be argumentative, instead of calmly listening to the customer and get a chance to learn or correct a problem. Another deflection was bought up: the employee started boasting about offering showers as doing a favor to travellers. No, not really. I've paid for and showered in a private home that someone agreed to--THAT'S doing travellers a favor. I've showered for free at many places around the country--THOSE are doing travellers a favor. I've taken cheap ($1 or $2) showers--again, helping out travellers. Instead, at this hostel, paying to shower with $5 in cash because they wanted to avoid credit card transaction fees is failed disguise at being high and mighty. Writing reviews to document illogical, idiotic situations, and expose poorly run businesses, is always a pleasure. This lodging was purely that. Of course, more serious than reviewing on an app: this was a regulatory violation. Thus, it'd been reported to OSHA. read more

I loved everything about this place except for the staff. In 15 years of staying at hostels all over the world, I have never felt less welcomed by staff members as I was from Ant (short for Anthony). From the moment I arrived he was inexplicably rude to me and my group, reluctantly answering questions and rushing through the protocol for how the house runs. When we informed him that our toilet was leaking water onto the bathroom floor, he told us he was aware of the problem but offered no solution. After a full day of hostility towards us, I overheard him complaining to the other staff members in the kitchen about how much he hates hikers and how he can't wait for the hiker season to be over so they'll stop coming. Being a hiker, I finally realized why he had decided to make our stay as uncomfortable as possible. While he did complain loudly every time a new guest arrived to check in, he was noticeably nicer to anyone who appeared to have money or was an attractive female. As previously stated, everything about this location is excellent. I hope that the owner reads this and seriously considers a change in staffing - the current crew is severely bringing down the potential for this place to be the best lodging option in Bishop for adventurers. read more

I wanted an alternative NYE. I was tired of getting dolled up and hitting the bars in San Diego, or heading to downtown. So I mapped myself and my best friend a road trip up the 395. I am not sure how this hostel landed on my radar, but I am glad it did! We booked in advance. My other friend booked 2 days prior and there was still availability. We all booked the PCT 12-bed room, for $30/pp. We stayed for one night, New Years Eve. And it was a blast! The guy working that night was Angelo. He was great! We checked in with him, he handed us sheets & towels, showed us around, and showed us our beds for the night. We got in pretty late, around 10 pm. So we decided to stay in that night and hang out with others who were staying there. We brought in midnight in the kitchen drinking pink champagne we brought and eating homemade pizza by Angelo. It was great! I have stayed in hostels before, so I knew what to expect, my friends have not haha. But they enjoyed it! This place is very popular with climbers, I would say almost 80% of they people there were there to climb. We were pretty much the only 3 that did not climb lol. Tips: bring shower shoes, blow dryer, and your own soap. read more

See all

What an awesome place! We were going to be doing a hike in the area the next day and needed a place to stay on a Friday night. I looked at several campgrounds, but the ones that were available had a two night minimum. I didn't want to be THAT person holding a night and not using it, so I looked into alternatives. I didn't like the price of hotels in the area since we'd be there for such a short time. I found Hostel California via Google and am so happy I did! I haven't stayed in a "hostel" in about a decade, but this place rocks. They have some common lounge space that you can enjoy, as well as a kitchen. We used the kitchen facilities to cook breakfast the following morning. You can use their dishes--just wash up! We arrived super late the night before (11:15pm, but Jade was super welcoming and friendly. (I think that was her name--we were so tired from our almost 7 hour drive). We got a tour and were taken to our room. I was surprised to see sheets and towels! I was expecting to have to undo my sleeping bag. This was a nice surprise!! I would totally recommend this place and look forward to staying again around future trips. 2018: 32/100 read more

We visited in Oct. 2019, and found it very disappointing. The hostel does make an initially favorable impression--giving off the vibe of a friendly, cozy place where you can chat with people and exchange travel experiences. But without exception, the staff acted so rudely towards my wife and me as to border on outright hostility. Perhaps it was kind of a latter-day reverse hippie discrimination--I am in my fifties, with short hair and no piercings, tattoos, etc. Nothing went wrong, specifically, but I got the distinct impression that we were not really welcome, just barely tolerated. As for the accomodations, they were not all that great. The blankets with thin and rather dirty, as was the bathroom. There was also a rather bad room-to-bathroom ratio: it was a single-use bathroom, so you had to wait almost every time. I realize that hostels are not hotels, but at the same time, this place was not cheap. (The following night, we stayed in a full-blown hotel with a private bath--and it cost only $10 more for the two of us. Makes you think.) The minor inconveniences would have been irrelevant, though, if we had been made to feel welcome. A hotel would have cost almost the same, without the hassle and the nasty attitude. Not recommended. read more

Cool community and resource | Great place to stay $ I stayed here earlier this year and loved it. Matt is really friendly and the whole hostel felt like a neat community of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Community. Bishop has become a hugely popular area amongst boulderers, so sometimes finding a spot to camp at the designated campgrounds may be tough (especially if you're coming in late at night for a weekend's stay). The pit toilets smell rank, too. I used to camp right next to the boulders, next to the Get Carter boulder, but apparently they patrol the area frequently so that isn't an option anymore. This place is your best bet. Pay a little extra instead to keep warm indoors, take a hot shower, sleep in a cozy bed, and sing along or play ping pong (or beer pong) with other climbers in the house. Share beta. Or train harder in the little shed outside. Cook up a sweet meal in the kitchen. Look up your projects in their library of climbing books. Highly recommend calling or e-mailing the place instead of relying on the availability checker. I remember Matt said that the little availability application checker restricted/limited him from putting more people in some rooms. I'll be staying there again this November :) Climb on! read more

See all

I've been on the Eastside 10 years and just now found this little gem. Feels like a home away from home. If you want to meet cool folks and get and inside taste of the outdoor lifestyles of the overeducated and underemployed Sierra dirtbag, this is a good starting place. read more

The Hostel California is the most inexpensive and welcoming adult-only dorms & private room hostel in the town of Bishop, CA. The Hostel provides guests loaner bikes, a shared kitchen, ping-pong tables, a pool & a gorgeous communal courtyard/lounge area for guests and visitors to hang out in. Staff is helpful and accomadating. Think visitors center but with 24 Hour assistance. Recommend visitors book a room or drop by and tour this hostel when in town. Amenities are open and available when staying at the hostel. read more

See all

This place is amazing. I always feel super welcome. The vibes are always positive. Every walk of life is welcomed. Everytime Ive been their Ive had a great time with the other guests and staff. Its really a unique place, and Im lucky I found out about it. read more

I always wondered why there was never a central hub for climbers and hikers to stay at! So glad Hostel California is here. Matt is the best host I have ever come into contact with. He is very accommodating to any need and he successfully creates a friendly and rad environment. It is awesome that there are guidebooks, shoes, pads, harnesses, etc. stored in the hostel for guests to borrow. My night stay was in the Sad room, the private room that is $60 a night. There are also beds for $20. Super comfortable, was able to hook up to the wifi. I was in town with a film crew and the hostel was able to accommodate all of us. We enjoyed dinner on the nice patio out side the dining room. A thunder storm actually ran through the town. Our little house and the entire town lost power for an hour, and Matt went into action and lit up the beautiful Victorian house with candelabras. He made sure everyone was comfortable and safe. Once the power came back on, we jammed with the in-house musical instruments! I can safely say I have never had this much fun during a night in Bishop. After camping for a while and I desire a shower and a warm bed I will always choose Hostel California! read more

Hostel California - There is a private room on the second floor - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

The Hostel California has forever earned a warm place in my heart. Even though most folks are travelers and staying there briefly, everyone at the hostel was so warm, friendly, and happy to share. It's ideally located right across from all the bars at Whitney Alley and near tons of delicious cafes. The grapes on the property are also delicious! 10/10 would recommend read more

A home away from home. The folks here treated us like family and we always felt welcomed. The beds are comfortable, the place itself is a beautiful retired bed and breakfast, and everything is clean. The kitchen and common facilities are open for use and are clean and new, and they even have bicycles you can use for the day. They have board games and books, comfy couches and good vibes. The owner, Matt, is accommodating and always trying to make everyone feel at home. He is knowledgable of the area and surrounding for backpackers, rock climbers, and all visitors. Overall, it's the best hostel I've had the pleasure of staying at. I highly recommend it to all JMT and PCT hikers. Can't beat the price ($20 for a bed) for a hot shower and clean bed and definitely can't beat the ambiance and company. Stay here! read more

Hostel California - A tired backpacker's paradise - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

Be careful with the person in charge of the kitchen. I tried to make coffee with the coffee machine because no one made it. And someone from the hostel came up to me and spoke to me in a really bad way. This person is very rude. Take care guys read more

Super friendly new hostel in Bishop! A must stop for PCT and JMT thru-hikers as well as rock climbers visiting the area. This is an old bed and breakfast converted to a hostel which makes it kind of unique. The old turn of the century building is very cool. The rooms are clean with new beds and the owner Matt is very friendly and will go out of his way to help you. Full use of the kitchen, living room, outside patios, and BBQ. read more

Hostel California - The Dining Room - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

See all

Bang for your money, and very clean. A definite must for any young backpacker in town visiting the Sierras. Turns out that your reservation online just holds your spot. You actually pay again when you arrive. That was really confusing...I was so scared about getting double charged... Great launching point to Mono Lake, Yosemite, Manzanar...etc.... read more

Love this place! Awesome staff! Met some awesome people who helped dial in my pack! Thank you read more

really cozy and chill vibe! needed a place to stay last minute for skiing and it was perfect. has everything you need for a really affordable price. everyone was kind, nice to have other mid 20's aged people around! read more

Really cool place. Beds are squeaky, outlets aren't plentiful, and I did find a used bandaid on mine, but for the price you really can't beat it. Check in was a breeze, staff was helpful and I really liked the set up - showers, full kitchen with fridges to use and communal spices/dishes/utensils. Was a perfect place to crash before I headed up to mammoth mountain in the morning and I bet I'll be back again at some point read more

I had a great stay here and the staff was excellent. Free coffee and tea a communal room with tv and comfy seats and a kitchen are all available. Judd, the guy who checked me in was really helpful, helped me cancel my reservation and remembered me when I dropped in the next day for a bed at 8pm. He was so helpful and even had mountain-forecast.com pulled up so I could see Mt Whitney's conditions on a bigger screen than my phone. This place is full of outdoor people who just need a place to sleep. Definitely a great place to stay if you're traveling solo! read more

My first hostel as my travels has afforded me an overnight stay in hotels over 1500 times in the last ten years. I would stay here again as Matt and the crew were welcoming to this fifty year old traveler. I'm doing a motorcycle trip from Chicago to the west coast and this was a great stopover! The hostel was clean and welcoming for both sexes. read more

I've been here couple of times now... and it is NOT for anyone who wants to get actual sleep. Walls are INCREDIBLY thin and people seem to stay up super late (it's 2am and I'm sick of telling people to please observe the quiet hours... which start at midnight). I thought this place catered to climbers and hikers??!! I climb and all I wanted was to be able to sleep at a decent hour to get up early enough to get my climb on! Ugh Main living room also stinks like awful BO. When is the last time they cleaned this place?! Dishes are operated in an honor system so it's crusty and gross. Disgusting. Cant believe the owners are trying to sell this place for 1.6 million. Laughable. If you can afford it, stay elsewhere. Unless you really enjoy not getting any sleep. I really wish we camped (even in this windy AF 30deg weather). I added one extra star because everyone's always friendly. read more

Bishop was a stopping point for us and I found Hostel California on hotwire. The owner and his team are sincere hosts. Unfortunately, we arrived at the ungodly hour of 4am, and the guy who checked us in gave us a little discount, and we were able to get late checkout at 1. My complaint is that it sounded like they were working on something right outside our door in the morning hours, not cool for a place that is offering a peaceful place to sleep. Hoping it's a rarity and I would stay here again. read more

Super nice place with nice staff, dogs and kitchen. The environment is great and they have lots of good movies . The rooms are also exquisite. Super comfy place read more

Cute hostel in a historic Victorian home (dressed up in bohemian vibes) with breathtaking views! I was instantly greeted with the warmth and homeyness of the hostel. It's amazingly clean and spacious, with lovely little knick knacks, homemade signs, and other little details (climbing magazines, free coffee, sugar and mugs for use, full kitchen, cool art, etc) that create a delightful ambiance. We were in the room with the sunken bedroom (Willie's room, from the hostel's days as a B&B). I was kind of hoping that it would be haunted, but no. Everyone had lovely, deep sleeps, and the room was adorable. It was clean and vaguely Scandinavian, like the good parts of Sound of Music. In conclusion, stay here! It's an amazing deal, and everything is friendly and nice. The end. read more

I visited Hostel California during its first week open while on my PCT thru hike. The hostel is damn cheap for a bed. But that's not even what makes it special. A retired bed and breakfast, the house itself is decked out to be both comfortable and clean. The owner and renovator Matt M. goes above and beyond to make the guests feel like they are part of his laid back family. We felt free to use the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, and even cuddle the sweet little dog Jack as if we lived there year round. The rooms and bathrooms are shared, but super clean. I heard a couple of people were able to do a work for stay. Matt is super accommodating. People going back up Kearsarge Pass, not an easy climb, were telling us we must visit the hostel, as was I on my way back up. Absolutely loved this place, and will definitely revisit on my next trip to Bishop! read more

When I booked this stay, I asked Matt, the owner, if he felt two 50+ year old college girlfriends, having a reunion, would fit in there. He said, "As long as you remember it's a hostel." With that in mind, we booked in for three nights. We were so pleasantly surprised at how much we loved this place. The welcoming vibe oozed off of the very international clientele. It was a blast. I think the kitchen privileges were some of the most fun we had. What camaraderie. Yes, sometimes conversations went on into the late night, but at times, so did ours. The beds and bedding were wonderful... hospitality plus on all counts. If you go there remembering you are staying in a hostel, at an exceptional price, you too will rate this property "woohoo". I can't wait to come back! read more

Great facilities and amazing service. Be sure to reserve in advance! We were told this hostel is almost always fully-booked. read more

The space was really nice but I would warn people about the unsafe approach to covid. Hostel staff and guests were walking around inside without masks on, sitting in the living spaces without masks. Even the employee who checked us in was not wearing one and said that since everyone there was friendly, we didn't need to wear masks. We mostly stayed in our room the whole time other than to cook, seems like a sweet place in non-pandemic times but they definitely need to take this much more seriously. read more

Wonderful place if your here for alpine adventures. Climbing room (garage) in the back is covered floor to ceiling with holds, great for waiting out inclement weather. 4 man rooms mean you can get a bed for cheap and sleep your whole crew. Would definitely visit again. read more

Hostel California - Living room - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

I had never stayed in a hostel before Hostel California. I may now be a hostel-dweller for life, or at the very least, come back to Hostel California time and time again. Rooms were cheap, clean, and quiet. I stayed with some companions in a private room, and was extremely cozy. The staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The kitchen is well-stocked, and the entire hostel is brimming with flavor, charm, and history. If you are a climber, there are even more resources for you, with guidebooks about local climbs and equipment guests can check out. There's no reason to stay anywhere else in Bishop. read more

Home of the $20.00 dorm Great place to stay. Very friendly lots of living space will always stay here when in Bishop read more

See all

This is the best hostel I have been to in the US. Matt has created an abode friendly to climbers, hikers, budget travelers and everyone in between. It is clean and spacious and feels like a community where you are instantly welcomed and accommodated. I reserved the Owens room which has 4 beds and we packed 6 people in there for a super mega slumber party. At night there was great company, ping pong, Twister, and musical instrument jams. Such a rad place! There is a kitchen with fridge space, a big dining room and living room area and outdoor areas for smoking / hanging out. The rooms are very clean and come with linens, blankets and towels. Definitely check this out if you are coming to Bishop on a climbing trip or passing through on the PCT. read more

Nice clean comfortable friendly charming. You want to rest your head take a shower and hit the road? this is the place I would stay here again. read more

Hostel California - Nice, clean, friendy, charming, quite. - Hostels Near Me - Bishop, California

This hostel is so awesome. Amazing atmosphere full of cool people hanging out cooking listening to music. They even have bigger full size bunks so you can rent them with a significant other. I LOVED this place. read more

This is an awesome place to stay if travelling solo or with friend's. It's got lots of rooms, common dining area and a kitchen for use. Typical hostel. But the vibe is great and the people are really cool and layed back. I'd definitely recommend this place if hiking around in Inyo or Toyabe NF, or I'd your mountaineering or rock climbing. This area is awesome for getting or into nature. But when the roughing it gets to be too much for you, you'll feel right at home in this hostel. read more

See all

I Was in this hostel last night .. so .. one of the best places (hostel) I have ever been . Very friendly staff , everything clean , and comfortable .. I think this place has long history . It's felt when u inside . Magic place. 5 stars !!! read more

See all