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The 10 Best Hostels in San Diego, USA

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 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.

Ocean Beach is 300 metres from the hostel, while Sunset Cliffs Beach is 2.5 km away. The nearest airport is San Diego International Airport, 6 km from Samesun Ocean Beach.

The inclusion and friendliness of many people included staff.

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9
Wonderful
1,659 reviews
Price from
$34.70
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.

I love the hostel, it is very clean. Everyone has own privacy as they have the curtain for each bed. No bunks. That is great. Staff is helpful. Location is close to the gas lamp area which is about 10 minutes walking distance. Away from bar noise, a very good common area to meet and talk with someone else. The only thing I hope they can stress on is to ensure every new comer to be emphasized that they should not have phone conversation loudly during quiet time, my last night there was unhappy because of such guy and could not sleep until midnight!

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9
Wonderful
1,046 reviews
Price from
$46
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.

friendly staff, clean bathroom, location, feeling safe to stay

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8.6
Excellent
1,702 reviews
Price from
$45.60
per night

Set in a Victorian house in the heart of Central San Diego's Little Italy Neighbourhood of Downtown, this hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms with free Wi-Fi, breakfast and hosted social activities.

The volunteers all were very kind and they are doing an amazing job in keeping the house clean. The beds are comfortable and the house is nicely done up.

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8.2
Very Good
1,053 reviews
Price from
$39.60
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
1,358 reviews
Price from
$36
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.

The location was fantastic, the staff were amazing. Its one of the most well run hostels I’ve stayed in yet.

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8.6
Excellent
195 reviews
Price from
$36.30
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.

The staff was extremely nice. When we arrived, Laney showed us around the place and everything was perfect. Breakfast OK, there is a big kitchen where you can also cook, several shared bathrooms, a pool, laundry room, TV in the rooms, parking a few meters away. We really enjoyed the stay there and felt welcomed.

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8.5
Very Good
688 reviews
Price from
$36.75
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.

Very familiar space! Good kitchen to cook… Friendly and attentive staff, beds are comfortable with curtains that give you privacy. Amazing location in pacific beach! ❤️

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8
Very Good
371 reviews
Price from
$36.75
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
Good
183 reviews
Price from
$60
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.

Great place, everything was great.

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7.9
Good
946 reviews
Price from
$33.17
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
     · 1,045 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
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,659 reviews

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

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

  • Gaslamp Hostel
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,702 reviews

    Ideally set in the Downtown San Diego, Gaslamp Hostel features air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge and free WiFi.

    Location, staffs, cleanness and friendly environment

  • ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 195 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
    8.5
    Scored 8.5
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 688 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.

    The setup was great and everybody was friendly and helpful

  • ITH Adventure Hostel San Diego
    8.2
    Scored 8.2
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,053 reviews

    Set in a Victorian house in the heart of Central San Diego's Little Italy Neighbourhood of Downtown, this hostel offers dormitory rooms and private rooms with free Wi-Fi, breakfast and hosted social...

    Friendly staff, great location, safe neighborhood.

  • HI San Diego Downtown Hostel
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,357 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

  • California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
    8.0
    Scored 8.0
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 371 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.

    Literally a beachfront property, only a 2 minute walk .

  • Lucky D's Youth and Traveler's Hostel
    7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 737 reviews

    Located 5 minutes’ walk from the Gaslamp Quarter, this East Village San Diego hostel offers free Wi-Fi. A common room features a DVD player and XBOX system.

    it was super clean and the staff were always nice!

  • PodShare San Diego
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 183 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

  • Avg. price/night: $209.80
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,177 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: $69.89
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,045 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
  • 7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 946 reviews
    This hostel is great for the location and meeting people. The rooms are as clean as they can be taking in the factor that the beach is on the door step. Free breakfast is great and they have lots of activity options if you are travelling alone
    Emma
    Travelers with friends
  • Avg. price/night: $69.89
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,045 reviews
    The best hostel I have stayed in. Very clean. Well thought out and had all the amenities required. The host moved the dates at a request due to work commitments.
    Lauren
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: $130.79
    7.0
    Scored 7.0
    Good
    Rated good
     · 246 reviews
    Great location, comfy room. Area felt safe and easy to use public transport to get into San Diego.
    Ella
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $175.67
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,659 reviews
    Great location and a really clean and well run hostel. We had a private room which was extremely comfortable
    James
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: $116.57
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,357 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: $69.89
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,045 reviews
    Great location (very central) and very clean property. also lots of privacy for that it’s a hostel. would stay again!
    D
    Daria
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $175.67
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,659 reviews
    From the outside you would think this is the most relaxing and fun „hippie“ place. On the inside then, the style is much more „organised“, „clean“ and „protected“. Very clean place. Food needs to be marked with name and departure date. No smoking inside. Modern youth hostel furniture. Central Ocean Beach, close to the beach.
    Maxi
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $175.67
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,659 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

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