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The best hostels in San Diego

Some of the best backpacker spots in San Diego

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Review Score

Wonderful: 9+ Very Good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Facing the beachfront, Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel offers 2-star accommodation in San Diego and features a shared lounge and terrace. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides an ATM, and luggage storage for guests.

The hostel personnel was super friendly and kind. The hostel is well located has lots of space and is really clean ! the shared bathrooms or single ones were very clean and hygienic. I loved the little patio for chilling.

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9
Wonderful
1,684 reviews
Price from
£28
per night

Stay Classy is well located in the centre of San Diego, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is located 1.4 km from San Diego Convention Center, 2.8 km from San Diego - Santa Fe Depot Amtrak Station and 3.1 km from USS Midway Museum. The accommodation features a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests.

The shared bathroom is equipped with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At the hostel each room is fitted with bed linen and towels.

Stayed there for 25 nights, great facilities and very clean. Friendly and helpful staff. Would definitely return if I’m back in San Diego.

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9
Wonderful
1,068 reviews
Price from
£41
per night

Ideally set in the Downtown San Diego, Gaslamp Hostel features air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is around 3.3 km from Balboa Park, 5 km from San Diego Zoo and 7 km from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The property is 10 km from University of San Diego and 11 km from SeaWorld San Diego.

Well positioned right in the street where you would want to go at night. Staff Is nice, available and always present. Activities are available in the evening. free water and cheap vending machines. The Building Is old and nostalgic but with renovation of the facilities. Bathrooms are clean and rooms are comfy. There Is air conditioning

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8.6
Excellent
1,726 reviews
Price from
£41
per night

Accommodation at HI San Diego Downtown Hostel includes heating and a fan. Private air-conditioned rooms are available with en suite bathrooms and hairdryers. Personal lockers are available for each dorm bed. Free high-speed WiFi is included in public areas.

The place was good, is in the downtown so everything is near, even to the airport is only 10 minutes..the staff was nice, rooms and bathroom were very clean...

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8.1
Very Good
1,381 reviews
Price from
£25
per night

Set in San Diego, within 200 metres of Mission Beach and 1.4 km of Sail Bay Beach, ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel provides accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is around 3.8 km from SeaWorld San Diego, 6.6 km from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and 6.6 km from Sunset Cliffs. The accommodation offers evening entertainment and a shared kitchen.

Everything was chill and relax. Jessie was very welcoming and nice

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8.6
Excellent
200 reviews
Price from
£28
per night

Situated in San Diego, 2.7 km from Ocean Beach, California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and an ATM, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides evening entertainment and a tour desk.

It was great all around. The staff is amazing and friendly! Everything was very clean, the beds in the dorms have curtains and enough space on the nightstand to actually put something on, which is rare. The kitchen is very well stocked and there is enough space to store your own food. Breakfast is a nice selection of bagels, fruit and cornflakes. Free parking is easy to find on the street. You can rent bikes, surfboards etc for a fee.

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8.4
Very Good
705 reviews
Price from
£33
per night

Located in the centre of San Diego, PodShare San Diego is set 1.1 km from San Diego - Santa Fe Depot Amtrak Station and 1.1 km from Maritime Museum of San Diego. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking is available on site.

USS Midway Museum is 2 km from the hostel, while San Diego Convention Center is 3.2 km away. The nearest airport is San Diego International Airport, 2 km from PodShare San Diego.

The staff is very friendly and do their best to help. The beds and sofas are very comfortable. A quiet place to relax and work at the same time or to explore the wonderful place little italy and indulge in culinary delights.

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7.1
Good
191 reviews
Price from
£47
per night

Situated in San Diego, 100 metres from Pacific Beach, California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach features accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and an ATM, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides evening entertainment and a tour desk.

Ryan, Bri, and Luana were the freaking best! I have stayed in many hostels before where the staff was reclusive and didn’t care to meet you. However, Ryan was exceptional when it came to going out of his way to make you feel welcomed and provided whatever I needed to have a comfortable stay. Having an employee like him is what makes hostels memorable! Thank you guys for everything! 10/10

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7.9
Good
372 reviews
Price from
£29
per night

Situated directly on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego offers oceanfront accommodation 3 km away from world famous Belmont Amusement Park. This eco-friendly hostel features BBQ facilities, a garden and a shared lounge.

We loved the culture and relaxed attitude here. It's so warm and welcoming. There is a great WhatsApp group you can join to keep up to date with the activities. Lots of fun!

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7.9
Good
958 reviews
Price from
£34
per night

Lockers are offered in each dormitory room at Lucky D’s Hostel. Two shared showers and toilets are available on each floor. Towels are provided for private room guests and available to rent for $1 to guests staying in dorm rooms.

it has many facilities that I have not seen in other places. They care about travelers. They are also very warm and friendly. The place has a homely feel.

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7.4
Good
743 reviews
Price from
£28
per night

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travelers know there's no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: Save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a little more.
Search hostels in San Diego

Most booked hostels in San Diego this month

Great access to the city center! Check these hostels in San Diego

  • Stay Classy
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,068 reviews

    Conveniently located in the center of San Diego, Stay Classy provides free WiFi and a shared lounge.

    The staff and the ambience at the hostel were superb!

  • Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,684 reviews

    Facing the beachfront, Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel offers 2-star accommodations in San Diego and features a shared lounge and terrace.

    One of the coolest places I've ever stayed in :)

  • ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 200 reviews

    Providing free WiFi and a shared lounge, ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel offers rooms in San Diego, a 2-minute walk from Mission Beach and 0.9 miles from Sail Bay Beach.

    Great staff, good community vibe of people, very clean

  • California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 705 reviews

    Located in San Diego, 1.7 miles from Ocean Beach, California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge.

    STAFF WERE AMAZING AND EXTREME FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL

  • HI San Diego Downtown Hostel
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,381 reviews

    Located in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this nonprofit hostel, has a fully-equipped kitchen and offers free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and filtered water 24-hours a day. Balboa Park is 3 mi away.

    the location and that it's clean and organized

  • ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 956 reviews

    Located directly on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego offers oceanfront accommodations 1.9 mi away from world famous Belmont Amusement Park.

    Nice weekly schedule, friendly staff and great location.

  • California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 372 reviews

    Located in San Diego, a few steps from Pacific Beach, California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach has accommodations with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace.

    Great place to stay if you are on a budget in San Diego!

  • PodShare San Diego
    7.1
    Scored 7.1
    Good
    Rated good
     · 191 reviews

    Conveniently set in the center of San Diego, PodShare San Diego is within a 13-minute walk of San Diego – Santa Fe Depot Amtrak Station and 0.7 miles of Maritime Museum of San Diego.

    Friendly staff and everything was very comfortable.

FAQ about hostels in San Diego








Hostels that guests love in San Diego

  • 7.5
    Scored 7.5
    Good
    Rated good
     · 474 reviews
    The hotel is in a great location, close to the park. I felt very safe there. The hosts were very kind and allowed an early check-in. Everything was very clean, and the room was much better equipped than I expected.
    Stefan
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £229.10
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,149 reviews
    Hotel was in a great location with the bars and restaurants of Gaslamp district and trolley stop only a couple of mins walk away. The room was well equipped with a coffee machine, fridge, safe and large TV, even the windows opened which is a rarity in hotels these days. The beds were so comfy, you literally just melted into it which was bliss after a days sightseeing.
    Suzannah
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £99.75
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,068 reviews
    One of the best hostels ever: clean, safe, in a great location, providing both privacy and community spirit. Lives up to the name!
    Julia
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: £216.07
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,684 reviews
    Friendly people both staff and hostel dwellers. Bars a bit cheaper than LA with proper pints and free entry. Good competitive yet friendly welcoming pool playing at bars just up from the beach.. Winstons club had a truly great band playing with large group of banging musicians and multiple happening vocalists, great after a skin full of Hazy IPA, makes you dance on the wind, you just don't want it to stop...
    Peter
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: £95.63
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 705 reviews
    I think one of the best Hostel I have ever stayed in. Very clean, good facilities, amazing breakfast that's included, super friendly and helpful staff. Great location, pretty close to the beach and to the Airport. I definitely recommend it and would come back.
    Tina
    Young couple
  • 8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,726 reviews
    The hostel was nicely decorated and pretty chill. Some days there are events where you can get free drinks a meet new people. The restrooms and showers were newly renovated and clean. This establishment is perfect for lone or budget travelers.
    Maroš
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: £161.21
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 372 reviews
    It was super close to the beach, the people was nice, and it’s in a safe area. The breakfas was good, they have baggel, fruits and cereals, coffe and teas. What I loved is they had a rental shop aswell, so you can rent bikes, surfboards, and lots of other outdoors stuff. they also have a schedule in the main room where it shows different (free or super cheap) activities. I went to a free yoga class infront of the ocean, and I also got fish tacos for $1.5 in the restaurant near the hostel
    Marta
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: £91.50
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,381 reviews
    Great location, nice free breakfast, helpful staff, communal areas were clean. Hostel was quiet and the staff were very good with keeping the place safe and secure, generally all round it was very good.
    Charlotte
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £216.07
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,684 reviews
    BEST hostel in the world. As a solo backpacker, 100% recommended. Comfortable beds, clean, amazing vibes, good breakfast included, amazing staff, great location... I only wish I could have stayed longer!!!
    Julia
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: £95.63
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 705 reviews
    California dreaming hostel in San Diego is the best hostel I have ever stayed in!! Everything was absolutely perfect from the first until the last moment. The area is absolutely safe and quiet. There are also some shops and restaurants near by.
    Bílek
    Solo traveler

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