Try a hostel: http://www.sfhostels.com/
http://www.greentortoise.com/san-fra...stel/index.php
I see Green Tortoise also has private rooms with bunk beds up to three people. You can check for the age requirement.

Stu, I'm still not sure if I can come to the GTG next week, but if I do, we should trade some "craziest place I ever slept while traveling" stories :-)

Thanks, y'all. Such stories of our youth. Good thing our kids have more sense than we did! My husband had a '63 VW bug, and he took out the passenger seat, put in a wooden plank, and used it to sleep in! He'd go skiing, and sleep in his car at Mammoth. Our kids aren't as fool-hardy as we were!

clarkgriswold, how is the Red Roof Inn $30 less a night? The Travelodge is only $59/night.

P.S. I also checked the Green Tortoise. Shoot. All they have available are dorm beds, and they would cost much more than the Travelodge. Oh, well. Thanks for the idea. I don't see any age minimum on the site.

The HI hostel at Fort Mason has free parking, if that helps.

Lee Ann

That does help. Thanks. I'll look into it. Fort Mason is a decent place to stay, isn't it? Some of the hostels look to be in dicey areas, and they are even more than the Travelodge for just a dorm room w/shared bath.

I'm feeling pretty good about the Travelodge reservation. They only tell you 21, if you make a point of calling and asking. Probably to cover themselves for whatever reason. I was also told they are individually owned, so can set either 18 or 21 at their discretion.

This is not the Ritz, after all. I told my husband, picture a Travelodge from 30 years ago, and this is it. Probably hasn't been re-decorated since! Ah, to be 20 again. . .

Lee Ann, wow, that is a great- looking hostel. Very simple and clean dorm rooms. Great suggestion. It's full for this weekend, but I've bookmarked it for the boys' future trips. It's right on Fort Mason. Thanks for the recommendation. I was thinking hostels wouldn't be a good fit for them, but this one would.

Funny thing is, it's the same price as the Travelodge for a dorm room and shared bath, but it does include breakfast. Looks very promising.

>>Funny thing is, it's the same price as the Travelodge for a dorm room and shared bath, but it does include breakfast. <<

There is a BIG difference between Fort Mason & the airport Travel Lodge. Fort Mason is IN the City and located at one of the prettiest sections of the City - it's on the water, next to the Marina Green, St Francis Yacht Club, beautiful Crissy Field, and a short walk to Chestnut St where the 20 year olds hang out on Sat night & Sunday Morning.

Stu Dudley

Yes, I know, Stu. But, the guys have a photography/press 'job' at the AT&T stadium all day Saturday and Saturday night. I forget what it's called. Icer Air??

So being just off the highway, on the south side of the city, will be what they need. They will be in hog heaven at the expo, so they won't mind about the dumpy hotel, believe me.

My son is quite familiar with S.F., because we've taken him there several times. In fact, he got into USF, but decided against an urban campus. And, his friend along on this trip, grew up in Aptos. So they will do the city another time.

I will definitely e-mail the hostel info to them for their next adventure.

P.S. Stu, you missed that I'd said the hostel is full anyway.