The Hostel California

213 Academy Ave, Bishop, CA 93514, Bishop, United States

1-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.5 / 5

The Hostel California is a budget, adults-only hostel set in a quiet residential pocket of Bishop, California, a block from US-395 and geared toward backpackers and climbers exploring the Eastern Sierra. The colorful property offers spartan dorm rooms with bunk beds and shared in-room bathrooms, as well as private rooms sleeping up to four guests with en suite facilities; bed linens and towels are included. A shared kitchen lets guests self-cater, while an eclectic common room with a piano and a backyard with seating areas encourage socializing. Loaner bikes and free coffee round out the amenity list, reinforcing its low-key, community-oriented feel. It sits within walking distance of Bishop City Park, the Bishop Information Center, and outfitters like Sierra Mountaineering International and Sierra Mountain Center, and is a short drive from Owens Valley, Wanaaha Casino, and the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center. Farther afield, guests can reach Laws Railroad Museum, Pleasant Valley Reservoir, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest with Methuselah Grove, all popular day-trip destinations from Bishop. With a 4.5-star rating from 360 reviews and a 1-star classification, it's clearly valued for character and community rather than luxury.

Best for

This hostel is best suited to backpackers, climbers, and solo or adult travelers on a budget who want proximity to Eastern Sierra trailheads and climbing outfitters like Sierra Mountaineering International, just steps away. The loaner bikes, shared kitchen, and communal common room with a piano make it especially appealing to travelers who enjoy socializing with fellow guests rather than seeking privacy or polish.

Travel tips

The hostel is a block from US-395, making it a convenient base for driving to Kings Canyon National Park (about 5 miles away) or farther destinations like the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and Methuselah Grove, both roughly 19 km out. Bishop City Park and the Bishop Information Center are both within a 15-minute walk, useful for orienting yourself or picking up local trail advice on arrival. Since it's a small, adults-only hostel with shared facilities, booking ahead is wise during peak hiking and climbing seasons.

What guests say

Guests consistently highlight the well-equipped shared kitchen, reasonable prices, and friendly, welcoming staff, with the owner's dog frequently mentioned as an endearing touch. Coffee quality and the overall friendliness of fellow guests and staff are recurring positives. A minor recurring criticism concerns bed comfort, with some reviewers describing the mattresses as less than ideal, while facilities overall are described as fair rather than luxurious. The general sentiment leans strongly positive, centered on hospitality and value rather than physical polish.

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