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The best hostels in San Diego

Some of the best backpacker spots in San Diego

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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.

Wonderful place and you can meet lots of people there.The hostel vibe is really chill and comfortable! Definitely a good place for staying

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9
Wonderful
1,696 reviews
Price from
$37.35
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 thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the hostel. Without a doubt, it is not just one of the best, but unequivocally the best hostel I've encountered in my 20 years of travel experiences. The gentleman at the reception was exceptionally professional and friendly. Regrettably, I forgot to inquire about his name, but I do recall he hails from Argentina. The bed curtains and lockers ensured a 100% sense of privacy. Fortunately, my roommates were incredibly quiet during my two-night stay—no snoring or disturbances. I managed to sleep a solid 16 hours on my first night after a grueling 15-hour flight. Thanks to the hostel for providing such a conducive environment for a restful stay. One of the remarkable features was the balance between socializing and privacy. You could easily connect with someone if you felt like it, yet maintain your solitude when not in the mood for socializing. For those seeking interaction, the common area was perfect, and for those feeling weary, the pods offered a cozy retreat. A grocery store conveniently located just around the corner proved to be a blessing. This meant that even if you needed to purchase something after dark, there was no need to venture into the downtown area, ensuring your safety. The well-equipped kitchen catered to all the needs of a traveler. Overall, I have a deep appreciation for this hostel. I would undoubtedly return if I find myself in San Diego again.

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9
Wonderful
1,072 reviews
Price from
$51.75
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
1,734 reviews
Price from
$52.25
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 location is perfect. The hotel is clean and comfortable. The price is reasonable.

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8.1
Very Good
1,390 reviews
Price from
$32.40
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.

Clean and cozy hostel with a really nice atmosphere. the staff was very friendly and kind. felt really comfortable here. Everything is new and one can feel in all the rooms (shared and the bedroom) that they put a lid of effort in creating this great hostel spot!

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8.6
Excellent
202 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.

lovely chill atmosphere, beautiful aesthetic, clean facilities. hostel mates were very nice and staff was super friendly and helpful - Vlad made some amazing pancakes and even taught a little guitar.

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8.4
Very Good
711 reviews
Price from
$39.90
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
193 reviews
Price from
$60
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.

The position is perfect and everyone are so kind and helpful! For a solo traveller is amazing finding a place and people like that!

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7.9
Good
374 reviews
Price from
$42
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 location, cozy accomodation, nice people, good black coffee, cozy tomcat, i had very great time in SD, thank you guys

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7.9
Good
959 reviews
Price from
$43.75
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.

The staff were friendly and accommodating. Waffles on the weekend were awesome and the Thanksgiving dinner was huge. At the celebration I met a staff member who was a writer and a gentleman from Italy who was headed home - and I will not soon forget the friendliness that I feel is a standard there.

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7.4
Good
746 reviews
Price from
$36
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.
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Most booked hostels in San Diego this month

Hostels that guests love in San Diego

  • 7.5
    Scored 7.5
    Good
    Rated good
     · 481 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: $303.57
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,148 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
     · 1,072 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: $214.48
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,696 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: $121.83
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 711 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
     · 1,734 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: $207.68
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 374 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: $144.46
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,388 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: $214.48
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,696 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: $121.83
    8.4
    Scored 8.4
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 711 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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