The Hostel California

Kyle was so welcoming and relaxed, and he clearly wanted everyone to have a good time. He also knew all the best bouldering spots nearby, which helped a lot. And Sophie is the gentlest, sweetest pup. We had such a great stay in Bishop, with lovely people and good vibes. This is the place to stay, and we’ll definitely be back.

The AC was blasting in our private room, and the top bunk was pretty unbearable. On this third visit, one staff member was especially cold and made us feel unwelcome, though the owner and another staff member were super friendly. The place felt a bit different from our last stay about three years ago.

I liked the outdoorsy, funky atmosphere I expected, and had a great conversation one evening with a PCT hiker. The bunk room bed was incredibly cheap, not much more than a National Forest campground site, and came with a roof, kitchen, shower, wifi, and other amenities. Still, I don’t think I’d return. The place needs real upkeep. My bed was clean and comfortable apart from a broken slat that sagged in the middle. The hostel sign had fallen off its pole, and the LGTBQ+ flag was tattered, hanging by one side, then later fell down. The common room felt cluttered, like a dumping spot for old VCR tapes and other stuff, though it could be a really inviting room. Everything seemed to be falling apart. In the John Muir room, the shower worked, but the curtain was moldy and the trim at the bottom was rotting. There’s a lot of potential here, but it needs a lot of care.

We only stayed one night and could happily have stayed longer. The bedrooms were clean, spacious, and comfy, the wifi was fast, and there was plenty of hot water. The old house sits just off Bishop’s main street, with lots of parking, a well-stocked kitchen, dining room, patio, and living room. You can make coffee or tea for free, and previous guests had left plenty of food and spices. The staff were so friendly, and the owner’s dog Sophie is a bonus. A fantastic, welcoming hostel for anyone passing through.