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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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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 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
1,570 reviews
Price from
$35.10
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.

Although it’s a dormitory, each bed is separated by a wall to form a cubicle. This provides sufficient privacy considering the hostel setting. Super clean, very organized.

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9.1
Wonderful
1,001 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.

amazing staff, very kind and helpful!! perfect location and atmosphere. loved my stay there :)

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8.6
Excellent
1,639 reviews
Price from
$45.60
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.

Great hostel in a perfect location! The hostel is really clean, the personelle was super friendly and my room was nice and had very comfortable beds. The included breakfast was nice as well.

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8.1
Very Good
1,301 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
185 reviews
Price from
$31.04
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 were super friendly and accomodating, it was a very welcoming environment where I felt safe. The hostel was extremely clean (probs one of the cleanest I've been in) it was also very chilled vibes which is nice when you are a busy traveller.

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8.4
Very Good
649 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.

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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8
Very Good
370 reviews
Price from
$36.75
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.

the position is perfect to see the ocean whenever you want 😍

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8
Very Good
937 reviews
Price from
$34.49
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.

Staff was great. Friendly and professional. The location was in a great location close to restaurants and bars and public transit.

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7
Good
177 reviews
Price from
$60
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.

Perfect hostel in downtown! Very nice staff and really comfortable beds. Also you can meet a lot of young people from every country of the world.

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7.4
Good
726 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

  • Avg. price/night: $152.21
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,639 reviews
    As a solo woman traveller, i felt very safe and welcome at the Hostel. The beds were comfortable, the property was quiet (which was surprising considering it's in a bustling neighbourhood, close to everything), everything was clean including bathrooms, the staff was informative and helpful, they had amenities and laundry (!), the uniqueness of the building itself made the stay above and beyond staying at any other hostel.
    K
    Karina
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $110.39
    8.1
    Scored 8.1
    Very Good
    Rated very good
     · 1,301 reviews
    Great location at the Gaslamp Quarter, friendly staff, safe security system, clean rooms, good ratio of dormitories / rooms vs bathrooms
    Françoise
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $152.21
    8.6
    Scored 8.6
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,639 reviews
    It’s a proper travellers hostel and has lots of space for hanging out and meeting people. It has a great and big kitchen for cooking your own stuff, laundry facilities and staff who are always available. It’s really nice they put on evening things for guests. Taco Tuesday was a highlight at a nearby bar with an all you can eat deal on tacos for $5! Also the space is really cool and pretty!
    Catherine
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $427.10
    8.9
    Scored 8.9
    Excellent
    Rated excellent
     · 1,577 reviews
    Rooms good size, comfortable beds and clean. Children’s cots provided on request. Room serviced daily and well equipped (safe, fridge, coffee machine). Simple but adequate breakfast provided with hot and cold options. Great location on the beach front with good access to I-5 for exploring La Jolla, SD Zoo / downtown, and wider SD area. Lots of food options and shops within walking distance. Heated swimming pool facing the beach. Secure parking on site (additional charge) with ‘free’ valet service.
    Martin
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: $69.89
    9.1
    Scored 9.1
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,001 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: $181.25
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,570 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
  • 7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 321 reviews
    The hostel is amazing. I’ve stayed there for 8 nights and it was the best hostel experience ever. The location is perfect, it’s very close to convenience stores, restaurants and bus stops. The property is clean, the beds are comfortable, and the staff is very helpful and friendly. There is a kitchen with all necessary tools, laundry and everything you need during your stay. I would definitely recommend this place! 10/10👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
    Viktoriia
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $181.25
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Wonderful
    Rated wonderful
     · 1,570 reviews
    Used to stay often at hostels but changed more to hotels over the years and with pandemic. This was my first hostel since things opened up, and it could not have been better. Met a lot of great people, staff was great, and the hostel was safe with a fantastic vibe to it. Would love to come back again!
    Miyazaki-man
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $98.01
    7.4
    Scored 7.4
    Good
    Rated good
     · 726 reviews
    Great location near to Gaslamp. Hotel staff was very understanding and helpful when I had to leave early because I got COVID. Shared bathrooms were clean and well-maintained. The decoration of the hostel is very cool. Respectful and friendly guests and staff
    Claudia
    Solo traveler
  • Avg. price/night: $195.74
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 2,654 reviews
    great location, friendly staff, area felt safe, very handy for metro and little little Italy. enjoyed our stay. Good restaurants close by.
    GARY
    Young couple

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