Pigeon Point Lighthouse & Hostel

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Website: http://www.norcalhostels.org/pigeon/

Feb 2008

Re: Going to Ano Nuevo to see Elephant Seals

Try the nearby hostel! Hostels are not just for teenaged backpackers. Recently my husband spent a couple of nights with our toddler at the hostel in Marin, and had a great time. There's a communal kitchen and so many neat people to meet. I have not been to this hostel at Pigeon Point but I have heard they are hospitable to families. http://www.norcalhostels.org/pigeon/ Lisa in Oakland

A great place to stay while seal watching is Pigeon Point Hostel at the PP Lighthouse. It is a set of cottages formerly used by lighthouse staff. Each has private family room, gender segregated dorm rooms, bathroom, kitchen, dining and living room. They also have a fantastic hot tub, overlooking the ocean, privacy screened and situated directly in front of the lighthouse. They can be reached at 650-879-0633, pplhostel [at] norcalhostels.org, and www.hiusa.org David

Dec 2003

after a mere 19 years of marriage, my husband and i are going to celebrate our anniversary.... this is very late to ask, but i'm looking for a cabin/house/etc. on the coast (hopefully not too far away) with a hot tub overlooking the ocean (is this asking too much??- and of course, not too expensive would be ideal). this is just for a one night stay. it can be very simple; the hot tub is what we're most interested in. thanks and happy holidays! peggy

This falls short on the decadent romance scale, but would be hard to match on your criteria of hot tub w/view, not too far, and not expensive: The Pigeon Point Youth Hostel, which is at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero (San Mateo Coast) has a hot tub right at the base of the lighthouse, perched up on a bluff with a fabulous view. Last time I was there (a couple of years ago), they did have a private room with queen bed and you reserved time in the hot tub so that you had it to yourself. Happy anniversary! Anne

RE: getaway with an infant
When our almost 4 year old boy was a baby, we would go hostelling http://www.hiayh.org/ . It's cheap ($12-15 per night) and usually in peaceful and scenic settings. I like the community atmosphere where guests bring their own food to cook in a common kitchen and everyone helps with chores. A few good ones are nearby on the California coast at lighthouses. My favorite is Pigeon Point, which has private family rooms and a hot tub overlooking crashing waves, but you must make reservations as they fill up fast. The only potential drawback about hostelling is that most encourage folks to get out and explore during the day by closing doors from mid AM until late afternoon. This could be inconvenient if you don't research things to do in the area during the day.

8/99
I believe the best times for viewing the elephant seals are December & January when they are mating. The males fight for the females and it's really exciting. Otherwise, they lay around the beach and hardly move, so it's not as interesting. As for places to stay, the Pidgeon Point Hostel is great! It is located about 5-10 miles from Ano Nuevo. They have individual rooms for families. It's incredibly beautiful, cheap, and has a wonderful hot tub overlooking the ocean. Look them up on their web site @: http://www.smarttraveler.com/USA/CA/bayarea/sjch13.htm Toby

12/99
We used to stay at the Pidgeon Point Lighthouse hostel with the kids on our trips down to see the elepant seals. This is a group of 3 1960s-era houses that once housed Coast Guard families. Usually we'd get a room for the family, sharing the kitchen with other travelers. A couple of times we got several families together and got one entire house. That was fun. Besides the nearby Ano Neuvo, it's also a short drive to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. There are wonderful tidepools just down the hill from the hostel, nice beaches a few minutes away, and Pescadero is close too - great U-pick places and interesting sights - it's the Dried Flower Capital of the World. The lighthouse is a wonder too. Ginger

re: getaways with an infant
When our almost 4 year old boy was a baby, we would go hostelling http://www.hiayh.org/ . It's cheap ($12-15 per night) and usually in peaceful and scenic settings. I like the community atmosphere where guests bring their own food to cook in a common kitchen and everyone helps with chores. A few good ones are nearby on the California coast at lighthouses. My favorite is Pigeon Point, which has private family rooms and a hot tub overlooking crashing waves, but you must make reservations as they fill up fast. The only potential drawback about hostelling is that most encourage folks to get out and explore during the day by closing doors from mid AM until late afternoon. This could be inconvenient if you don't research things to do in the area during the day. Rue