With a family of 4, it feels as though standard hotel accommodations can break the bank when we travel. Friends of ours, who have 4 kids, told us a little secret – they stay in hostels!

Hostels use to be the accommodation of choice for teenagers and young adults, 18-25 years, primarily while traveling through Europe. These days, more and more hostels cater to families, offering private rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and events geared towards all ages. Whether you are single and carefree, or traveling with your family, Northern California has many hostels to suit your needs.

San Francisco has dozens of hostel options, from guest houses in the Castro to several hostels within walking distance of Union Square and downtown. Check out Pacific Tradewinds Hostel on Sacramento or the Adelaide Hostel, a 5 minute walk from Moscone Center. Most of the hostels in San Francisco are geared towards student travelers, so if you take your family, be prepared for late night noise and possibly some unusual questions from your kids!

If you are adventuring outside of the City, I recommend checking out one of the beautiful coast-side hostels, including two lighthouses, Pigeon Point and Point Montara. Pigeon Point is near enough to Año Nuevo State Reserve, where you can visit the resident elephant seals. Both these hostels have close up views of the Pacific Ocean, offering a truly memorable travel experience.

Farther down the Peninsula, close to the UpTake offices, is a favorite local gem – Hidden Villa. As the name suggests, this hostel is tucked up at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is the oldest operating hostel in the United States. Known for its organic gardens and kids programs, the Hidden Villa property showcases several environmentally sustainable designs. Whether you stay overnight or visit for the day, guests of all ages enjoy the working farm and miles of hiking trails.

Have you stayed at a hostel recently? Any recommendations for your favorite in Northern California?

Photo courtesy of Hidden Villa.

1. The wind-we get high winds in my little town, sometimes it drives me crazy, but most to the time it feels strangely cleansing, it means home in a chilling kind of way. Great place to be during a heat wave.

2. The salt marsh-I never really knew much about  saltwater marshes, now I can see it change with the seasons and find it a place of peace especially at dusk on a calm evening.  Lots of hiking trails through the marsh even if the shopping mall is just across the street.

3.  Flower power-along time ago, an environmentalist found a flower that can only grow on the hill behind my house, it is called the Tiburon Lily.  This little flower stopped the developer dead in their tracks and now we have a fabulous set of trails to hike and grassy fields to gaze upon all day long.  It is officially found only on Ring Mountain from March to June.  You can find me on the mountain almost daily.

4.  San Francisco Bay-laps at the town’s borders. I love its icy water, the beaches, kayaking, the way the water reflects the sky.

5.  Richmond-San Rafael Bridge-definitely the forgotten bridge of the bay area, but I can see it from my home and I love the graceful curve rising above the water.  Plus, Berkeley is just across the bridge and you can spend a day there.

6.  Ships-as they pass under the bridge.

7.  Twin Cities Little League Park-it looks exactly like a major league park in miniature. Toss a baseball here and feel like a major league player.

8.  Picco’s Restaurant-technically this is not in my town, just across the border, but to get food this sublime in a little town, fabulous.

9.  Two malls-only five minutes away, it can’t all be about ships passing and hills for hiking, a girls’ gotta have shoes.

10.  Bike paths-the bike paths that go through and along the marsh and then along an old railroad that are great for family biking trips.  Nice and flat…

11.  Rick’s Wine Shop-tiny little storefront with delicious wines and service with genuine warmth. Great for adults.

12.  Paradise Beach-this secluded bay beach offers a peaceful setting, grassy lawns, a rocky shore and a fishing pier and it is only a ten minute drive from my house.  Great for kids.

13.  My neighbors-after college I lived in two large metropolitan areas, Seattle and San Francisco, I met only three neighbors in 15 years that I consider friends (and I am not shy).  I moved to the ‘burbs.  Now I know everyone on my street-it is so wonderful to drive up our little street and know the names of the people who live in each house and what they are doing for vacation, their dog’s name.  It feels safe to me. So not a reason to visit, but a reason to stay.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Monday, July 14 was Bastille Day, France’s National Holiday commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille that launched the French Revolution. I’ve never participated in any Bastille Day festivities, but thought I would honor the day by talking about shopping. Because I’m sure that’s what those French soldiers had in mind as they charged into battle – how they could get the best deal on a really nice handbag.

Chanel Store – Although I usually avoid Beverly Hills like the plague, the Chanel store on Rodeo Drive is sort of like how my husband describes certain streets in Amsterdam: Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s really fun to look around. Besides, what could be more French than the Parisian fashion house founded by Coco Chanel? So even if you’re not ready to spend your kids’ college fund on a purse, stop in and take a peek. You can at least spray on some Chanel No. 5 for free before you leave the store.

Café Des Artistes – Chances are, you couldn’t resist picking up that five-thousand-dollar keychain at Chanel, and now you want to take a break and have a good stiff drink and a meal to forget your troubles. Head on over to one of my favorite restaurants, Café Des Artistes. Along with the amazing food (I always order the steak and pommes frites but they are known for their French-style mac n’ cheese) the setting is beautiful – it feels like you’re dining in a home in the French countryside. Have a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon while you’re coming up with ways to tell your husband about the keychain.

Maison Midi – This is my absolute favorite store for unusual housewares and gifts. It’s an offshoot of clothing retailer American Rag (which is right next door). You won’t find a more beautiful and varied selection of dinnerware and linens, much of it one-of-a-kind and imported from France. The best part: they have an excellent café that’s part of the store, Café Midi, which is modeled after an authentic French sidewalk café. While you’re waiting to be served your Croques Monsieur you can browse the store and pick up those new salad bowls you’ve been wanting.

Samuel French Bookstore – This place is not French, and has nothing to do with France, but it does have ‘French’ in the title and definitely would be the place to go if you were looking for the screenplay for “An American In Paris” or maybe a biography of Edith Piaf. Samuel French is the bookstore for anyone interested in, or wanting to break into, the entertainment business and a place for filmmakers, writers and actors to find plays, scripts, movie-buff material and industry magazines. Maybe you’ll even see Juliette Binoche browsing the aisles.

After your day packed with French-themed shopping, you’ll want to head home, make yourself some crème brulée and put on your favorite DVD featuring Johnny Depp (totally counts since he’s married to French singer Vanessa Paradis.) Très bien!