The Seaside Eco-Hostel Project at Fort Ord
The Seaside Eco-Hostel at Fort Ord will be an establishment that provides low-cost accommodations to groups, families, and individuals as well as being a sustainable and eco-friendly facility that will make it possible for guests to access the magnificent outdoor experiences of Monterey Bay. This hostel will also provide the empowerment of travel to local community partners and the world community through the hostelling experience of camaraderie in sharing a meal, a story, and making friends from different cultures.
The Eco-Hostel will be located in the City of Seaside, gateway to Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur, on the site of the former Fort Ord Army Base. It will have access to 14,651 acres of the Fort Ord National Monument with over 80 miles of trails, the Fort Ord Dunes State Park with 4 miles of beach access, and the treasures of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.
The Fort Ord Eco-Hostel fills the unmet need for low-cost accommodations on the Monterey Peninsula. The Monterey Bay is a world treasure that should be experienced by as many people as possible. Unfortunately, this area is very expensive to visit with the average cost of accommodations at over $200 per night. Additionally, there is only one hostel with 50 beds currently on the Monterey Peninsula, but it doesn’t meet the existing demand. The Eco-Hostel will provide needed beds for low to moderate income families, groups, and individuals who want to experience the Monterey Bay and the multitude of outdoor adventures in the area.
The Fort Ord Hostel Society (Society), a local nonprofit committed to building the Eco- Hostel project, received a 30 year lease on 4.6 acres and 4 buildings from the City of Seaside at $1 per year, renewable in perpetuity. This project has the support of American Youth Hostels (dba HI-USA, Hostelling International USA), California State Parks, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and the City of Seaside.
Phase 1 of this project has already been completed with the connection of utilities and removal of hazardous material. Phase 2 has morphed into a revised plan to fit the Eco-Hostel project into Seaside’s new Campus Town at Fort Ord. Once funding is secured for converting the draft design into construction drawings, then a Capital Campaign for funding the construction will start along with applying for grants. .
We invite you to help make the Fort Ord Eco-Hostel a reality. Join the Society in making the Monterey Bay accessible for low to moderate income families, groups, and individuals with the construction of Phase 2 of this worthy project. Your support of the Eco-Hostel makes the Monterey Bay area accessible to all and empowers our local and world community through the unique experiences and camaraderie of hostelling.
