Written by Nomadic Nina| Last update: Aug 29, 2024
Table of Content: The Perfect Guide to Hostels
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San Diego is a city known for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and laid-back culture. It's a popular destination for travelers from all over the world, and luckily, it has some of the best hostels in the United States.
If you're planning a trip to San Diego and looking for budget-friendly accommodation, the best hostels in San Diego offer a unique experience that goes beyond just a place to stay.
From historic Victorian buildings to bungalow-style beachfront properties, San Diego's hostels offer a variety of rooms and activities that cater to every type of traveler.
Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in San Diego
Samesun Ocean Beach - best for Beach Lovers Retreat, Party Hostel, Youth Hostel
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach - best for Adventure Hostels, Beach Lovers Retreat, Female Solo Traveller, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
California Dreams Hostel - best for Adventure Hostels, Beach Lovers Retreat, Female Solo Traveller, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
Stay Classy - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
Gaslamp Hostel - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego - best for Adventure Hostels, Beach Lovers Retreat, Digital Nomads, Female Solo Traveller, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
How much are hostels in San Diego?
Let's talk about hostel prices in San Diego. This graph shows you typical, average prices for a bed in a dorm and for a private room. Simply mouse-over to see rates for each month.
Prices can vary a lot, especially on high-season, weekends, and special holidays such as New Years Eve.
Samesun Ocean Beach is the newest addition to the Samesun family, previously known as USA Hostels Ocean Beach. This award-winning hostel is located in the heart of Ocean Beach community in California.
Samesun Ocean Beach offers a range of private and dorm rooms with large common spaces and an open-air concept. The local staff are knowledgeable about the area and can help arrange bike and board rentals for further exploration. The beach, great restaurants, and breweries are all nearby, and with easy transport to other neighborhoods in San Diego, Ocean Beach is a great base for exploring.
Samesun Ocean Beach has a strict policy regarding guest age, ID requirements, and outside guests. The kitchen is open from 7am-10am, providing coffee, tea, and snacks.
Prices start from $39.12 for a dorm and $160.61 for a private room.
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach offers an exciting and affordable hostel experience in the laid-back neighborhood of Ocean Beach in San Diego. With its excellent customer service, cleanliness, and comfortable amenities, it's the perfect place for backpackers to meet like-minded travelers from all over the world.
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach is conveniently located near public transportation, supermarkets, and popular attractions, making it an ideal spot for beach and outdoor activities, great food, and making new friends.
Guests can rent surfboards, wetsuits, and bikes at the front desk to make the most out of their visit to sunny Southern California.
Prices start from $37.51 for a dorm and $93.12 for a private room.
California Dreams Hostel is a budget-friendly hostel that provides a welcoming and sociable atmosphere for backpackers from all around the world. Located in the heart of Pacific Beach, San Diego, California Dreams Hostel is just a minute's walk away from the beach and close to public transportation and supermarkets.
With excellent customer service, cleanliness, and comfort, California Dreams Hostel offers a true hostel experience with the amenities of a quality hotel.
California Dreams Hostel is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, making it perfect for those who love outdoor activities, good food, and making new friends. The hostel also provides surfboard rentals and surf lessons with professional instructors for surfing enthusiasts.
Prices start from $35.53 for a dorm and $116.85 for a private room.
Stay Classy, located in San Diego, offers guests a comfortable stay with amenities such as a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is conveniently located near popular attractions such as the San Diego Convention Center, USS Midway Museum, and Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Guests can enjoy playing billiards, and Stay Classy provides luggage storage and a shared kitchen. Each room includes a shared bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. The nearest airport is San Diego International Airport, located 5 km away.
ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel is your ultimate San Diego base, just steps from Mission Beach and a short walk to Sail Bay Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a shared kitchen for cooking up snacks, and a lounge with nightly entertainment.
Close to SeaWorld, Old Town, and Sunset Cliffs, ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel keeps you near all the must-see spots. Rooms come with shared bathrooms and fresh linens.
With the University of San Diego 8.6 km away and San Diego International Airport just 7 km from the hostel, it’s a convenient and comfy spot for exploring the city.
Prices start from $36.23 for a dorm and $98.01 for a private room.
International Travelers House Adventure Hostel brings San Diego’s essence to life from its charming Victorian digs in Little Italy. This adults-only hostel is your launchpad for downtown’s best spots and local secrets.
Unwind in style with options ranging from dorms to private rooms, all featuring free Wi-Fi and access to communal kitchens and lounges. Enjoy a free breakfast and swap stories with fellow explorers at one of the hostel’s organized social events.
With a commitment to sustainability and cultural immersion, International Travelers House Adventure Hostel is all about forging connections and eco-friendly living. Just remember: proof of onward travel and a credit card for incidentals are required for your stay.
Prices start from $36.40 for a dorm and $69.78 for a private room.
7 HI - San Diego (Downtown) The Metropolitan Hostel
Rating: 8.7
HI - San Diego (Downtown) The Metropolitan Hostel is located in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp quarter, and it offers a renovated and modern urban hostel experience for travelers seeking shared and private rooms, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable social spaces to meet new people. The friendly staff is dedicated to ensuring that guests have an enjoyable stay in San Diego.
Amenities include free coffee and tea, 24-hour front desk, self-guided tours and activities, game room with pool table and arcade games, free linens and towels, bicycle parking, luggage storage, and more.
HI - San Diego (Downtown) The Metropolitan Hostel is conveniently located within walking distance from the Amtrak and Greyhound Station and accessible by public transportation from the airport or beyond.
Prices start from $35.17 for a dorm and $94.20 for a private room.
Gaslamp Hostel is tucked inside a historic 1880s building right in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The hostel’s Victorian atrium channels old-school Wild West vibes while providing modern comfort.
Steps from outdoor cafes and San Diego’s year-round sunshine, Gaslamp Hostel puts you close to top spots like the San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, and Coronado’s pristine beaches.
Inside, enjoy privacy panels on dorm beds, a sleek communal kitchen, cozy bedding, and air conditioning. Extras include fast WiFi, spa-like bathrooms, complimentary breakfast, and handy amenities like lockers with outlets. Early check-in and late check-out are available, adding to the convenience of your stay.
Prices start from $39.56 for a dorm and $121.47 for a private room.
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego aims to provide travelers with memorable, authentic, and unique experiences by connecting them with local culture, neighborhoods, and adventures. At ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego, guests can enjoy a passion for community and exploring the city together, starting each day with a complimentary breakfast and advice on local activities.
Located on the sand in Pacific Beach, the hostel offers a private outdoor deck for socializing, taking in the waves and sunshine, and is in walking distance to amazing restaurants and popular bars. The bungalow-style building provides a friendly and fun atmosphere with plenty of outdoor and indoor lounge spaces for guests to relax or work from. Hosted social events are organized daily to encourage guests to connect with one another.
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego offers female-only and dorm-style rooms as well as private rooms with free Wi-Fi, and surfboard and wetsuit rentals available. By staying at ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego, guests become part of a community dedicated to creating global, cultural, and sustainable relationships while supporting the implementation of sustainable measures in all hostels.
Prices start from $41.44 for a dorm and $129.79 for a private room.
We've got your back when it comes to finding a great hostel location in San Diego. We've gone ahead and mapped out all the hostels for you so you can get a good idea of where they're all at. This map will make your life so much easier!
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I'm Nomadic Nina, a curious and adventurous traveler who has spent most of my life exploring the world. From the deserts of Africa to the jungles of South America, I've traveled to dozens of countries on multiple continents, immersing myself in local cultures and learning about the world firsthand. Through my travels, I've gained a deep appreciation for the diversity and richness of the world's cultures, and I'm passionate about sharing my experiences with others through my travel blog.