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The best hostels in San Diego

Some of the best backpacker spots in San Diego

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Stay Classy, hotel in San Diego

Stay Classy is well located in the centre of San Diego, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi.

Amazing staff, exceptionally clean and super comfortable beds, pillows and bedroom
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated superb
Superb
1,135 reviews
Price from
£53.18
per night
Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel, hotel in San Diego

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

This is possibly the nicest hostel I have stayed in located in a brilliant position
Scored 9.0
9.0
Rated superb
Superb
1,754 reviews
Price from
£129.51
per night
Gaslamp Hostel, hotel in San Diego

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

Atmosphere and daily events
Scored 8.5
8.5
Rated very good
Very good
1,726 reviews
Price from
£115.82
per night
HI San Diego Downtown Hostel, hotel in San Diego

Situated in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this non-profit hostel, has a fully-equipped kitchen and offers free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and filtered water 24-hours a day. Balboa Park is 4.8 km away.

Perfect location and nice free breakfast
Scored 8.1
8.1
Rated very good
Very good
1,539 reviews
Price from
£84.15
per night
ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel, hotel in San Diego

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 room was very clean and well decorated The common areas had anything you could need The staff were very accommodating and friendly Perfect location
Scored 8.6
8.6
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
230 reviews
Price from
£78.48
per night
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach, hotel in San Diego

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.

Lovely staff, great facilities for cooking, a comfy lounge to chill in, swimming pool and jacuzzi, bike hire, chilled vibes overall. Good walking access to Ocean Beach, and local bars and restaurants. Thoroughly enjoyable place to be and live in for a week :)
Scored 8.4
8.4
Rated very good
Very good
749 reviews
Price from
£105.94
per night
Lucky D's Youth and Traveler's Hostel, hotel in San Diego

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.

There was air conditioning and the artwork on the walls was nice. 24/7 check in is good
Scored 7.3
7.3
Rated good
Good
781 reviews
Price from
£66.42
per night
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego, hotel in San Diego

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.

The staff was so nice and fun.
Scored 7.9
7.9
Rated good
Good
951 reviews
Price from
£138.36
per night
PodShare San Diego, hotel in San Diego

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.

Location
Scored 6.8
6.8
Rated pleasant
Pleasant
224 reviews
Price from
£62.73
per night
California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach, hotel in San Diego

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.

Ideally located with friendly and helpful staff
Scored 7.9
7.9
Rated good
Good
395 reviews
Price from
£77.69
per night
All hostels in San Diego

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is 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 bit more.
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  • Stay Classy
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,135 reviews

    Stay Classy is well located in the centre of San Diego, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi.

    The staff and the ambience at the hostel were superb!

  • HI San Diego Downtown Hostel
    Scored 8.1
    8.1
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 1,539 reviews

    Situated in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this non-profit hostel, has a fully-equipped kitchen and offers free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and filtered water 24-hours a day. Balboa Park is 4.8 km away.

    really really good. I appreciate it to Hi hostel

  • PodShare San Diego
    Scored 6.8
    6.8
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 224 reviews

    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.

    Friendly staff and everything was very comfortable.

  • Lucky D's Youth and Traveler's Hostel
    Scored 7.3
    7.3
    Rated good
    Good
     · 781 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!

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

  • Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,754 reviews

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

    Great hostel with friendly staff and good amenities!

  • ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
    Scored 8.6
    8.6
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 230 reviews

    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.

    Great staff, good community vibe of people, very clean

  • Gaslamp Hostel
    Scored 8.5
    8.5
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 1,726 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

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

    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.

    STAFF WERE AMAZING AND EXTREME FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL

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

    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.

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

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

    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.

    Party hostel but not crazy, perfect vibes, a lot of well organized event!

FAQ about hostels in San Diego

Hostels that guests love in San Diego

  • Avg. price/night: £53.18
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,135 reviews
    It’s been the best hostel I have stayed, it was really clean, the bed is comfortable and you have your own privacy. The common areas were great and they had everything you need. I also liked how the organize the food in the kitchen.
    Irene
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £69.33
    Scored 6.7
    6.7
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 737 reviews
    Great location in town close to the airport and the Waterfront Park, Went to run the marathon and was a great location to get to the start of the race and to get after the race. The room is confortable and although there is a lot of noise outside by the passing planes and trains I was able to sleep without a problem, the rooms have good sound proof. The hotel is a budget simple place and you get what you pay, don't expect luxury but is safe, clean and quiet.
    xorge
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £53.18
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,135 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 traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £129.51
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,754 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 traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £105.94
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 749 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
  • Avg. price/night: £175.72
    Scored 8.5
    8.5
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 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 traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £145.67
    Scored 7.9
    7.9
    Rated good
    Good
     · 395 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 traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £99.31
    Scored 8.1
    8.1
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 1,539 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: £129.51
    Scored 9.0
    9.0
    Rated superb
    Superb
     · 1,754 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 traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £105.94
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 749 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 traveller

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