San Diego Hostels

This is a complete list of all known hostels in San Diego. If you know of a San Diego hostel that isn't listed here, please use the "Add a New Hostel" link at the bottom of the page.

(Gaslamp Quarter)

"USA Hostels was born in San Diego and it has a proud reputation of being the city's number one hostel (even if it might be self-titled). It has everything you'd expect from a large city hostel and more. And the crowd is a little more mature than the beach hostels. The hostel is situated in a renovated Victorian building right in the heart of San Diego's busy Gaslight downtown district. The...

(Pacific Beach)

Banana Bungalow San Diego

"The first-ever Banana Bungalow correctly lives up to its reputation of a party hostel. If you're looking for quiet nights and spotless accommodations, you won't find it here! What you will find is a very social and friendly place. The Banana Bungalow is in a great location on Pacific Beach, right on the boardwalk. The outdoor deck is basically on top of the sand and is a great location for...

(Point Loma)

HI - San Diego, Point Loma Hostel

"The Location HI - San Diego, Point Loma Hostel is in a safe neighborhood of San Diego, CA, just on the outskirts of the coastal area of Ocean Beach. Hostelling International accurately describes the Ocean Beach area as "a colorful slice of urban bohemia with locally-owned eateries, bars, and shops." There is free parking on the street and the bus stop is close by. The price is very...

(Ocean Beach)

Ocean Beach International Hostel

"This is a fantastic hostel in a great location. The hostel is surrounded by great shops, bars, and cafes and you can walk to the beach in less than five minutes. The hostel has a great atmosphere and lots going on, weekly free barbeque (get there early if you want to to be sure to get any food!) and plenty of outdoor space for socializing. The hostel itself is cleaned regularly, which...

(Gaslamp Quarter)

Lucky D's Hostel

"Lucky D's is a colorful and vibrant hostel in the center of San Diego with a large variety of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby. The facilities are excellent and there are many freebies including internet access, breakfast every day, and evening meals three days a week. The Location The hostel is prominently located on the corner of 8th Avenue and Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter...

(Downtown)

500 West Hotel & Hostel

"I stayed here for three nights in a single room. the room was friendly and very clean. There are many toilets and shower on the floor and they are excellent -- clean. The rooms with a window to the Broadway are too loud but in the night there is not too much traffic." … "An urban European-style hotel with 259 contemporary guestrooms with detached private bathrooms, fitness center, cafe...

(Gaslamp Quarter)

HI - San Diego (Downtown) The Metropolitan Hostel

"I stayed here after the first hostel in San Diego was too crazy; some guys started smoking pot in our room while we were sleeping!! It's very clean, in a great location, and has friendly staff. I would definitely stay here again!" … "Good location, nice pancakes - I really enjoyed staying at this hostel. Can't speak for the shared rooms, but the private room that we had was comfy and...

(Little Italy)

St. Christopher International Hostel

"Great Hostel! - Stayed for nearly two weeks including San Diego Comic Con week and never experienced any sign of trouble or gang activity. The Hostel isn't right in the centre of town but in a nice quiet area and downtown San Diego is easily and quickly accessible by public transport. Also, one of the cleanest buildings I have ever been in hostel or otherwise. Juliet is very helpful and was...

(El Cajon)

AAE Hostels San Diego Travel Inn

Hostel guests are provided an abundance of amenities including free continental breakfast Guests are invited to take a dip in the outdoor pool located on hotel premises. Hotel Services & Amenities Free Bear Bites Continental Breakfast Free High Speed Wireless Internet Free Parking Outdoor Pool … Directions:North:I-5 South to I-8 East toward El Centro, exit Main Street, turn right,...

(Gaslamp District - Downtown)

Hostel Cat

"What an amazing place to stay - This place is brilliant -- Chandler the guy who owns it is a real star, he'll help anyone day or night and you feel constantly safe knowing he's around. This was the first hostel I ever stayed in and it has set a real benchmark for other hostels to live up to -- really clean and a brilliant atmosphere. Only six to a dorm so you've got plenty of space and the...

(Mission Beach)

Mission Beach International Youth Hostel USA

"Ok - location is great, a block from the beach, located above a taco shop (not good mexican food). you can stay by the week and it is $116 for a week. roger the manager is a cool guy who is a big movie buff." … "Bad, just plain bad. To many long term people, including people that are in San Diego just to go to Tiajauna for drugs and prostitutes (a few times a week). Roger is a good man...

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San Diego Travel Tips & Suggestions

Comment by Anonymous

If you are looking for tweak, then San Diego is your place. They have the really good ephedrine-based, red-phosphorous washed stuff that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You'll be twacked for days off just a quarter-gram!

Comment by A regular guy

Just thought I would add my two cents about Ocean Beach. I am just a regular guy and I have add zero problems there. The tweaker stuff is overrated. I have never been threatened or hit or any such melodrama. Just be cool and friendly and you will have no problems in Ocean Beach -- or anywhere.

Comment by john

Ocean Beach is fine, it just has a seedier element then some of the other beaches.

Comment by chitebbive

I'm Italian and I used to live in San Diego for few months. My favourite neighborhood was OB. I never had problems there, I surfed near the pier often, and though my skills are poor not even a single local dissed me. I went skateboarding in OB almost everyday on the sidewalks, no one harrassed me. It's definitely one of the best beach communities in San Diego. If you give respect you get respect. And fools are everywere.

Comment by Anonymous

Unfortunately tweakers are everywhere anymore. All beach communities have trolls grubbing money. There are some positive things in San Diego. The O.B. Pier can be fun to fish from. Tide pools are cool. The surf is good. Sunset Cliffs is nice. South Beach fish tacos rule, along with a couple of other good places to eat. Good coffee shops. The true local people are very nice.

Comment by Caley

Just go to OB and see what it is really about. It's has a richer "cultural texture" than PB or MB. Worth a visit.

Comment by Kittie

I love Ocean Beach. I felt at home there. I can't wait to finish school and maybe live there for a bit, but I'm not sure if I can afford an apartment. Great place, great people.

Comment by John A.

San Diego is about the beach and the weather! There is a "downtown" San Diego but it's still developing and easy to miss (compared to San Francisco, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and many other cities that do have a downtown). If you're older, like to dress up, not too energetic, like yuppie bars and high end food, can handle cover charges, and don't mind paying some hefty coin to park, head to "downtown" San Diego and have a ball! One night should be enough. On the other hand, if you're into good value for your dollar, looking for outrageous times, nightclubs and pubs, want to meet people who are "experiencing" life and not on the treadmill yet, park free, surround yourself with a younger, more casual crowd, enjoy loads of good, lower priced eat and drink places, and want to find out what Southern California is really about, hang-out at the beach. Ocean Beach can't be missed!

Comment by Anonymous

All of San Diego's beach communities are wonderful! They are all home to different peoples from all over and everybody accepts you, if you are just nice. My friend and me stayed in OB, MB, and PB over the summer and had a awesome time! Met some of the nicest people ever. Excellant journey my friend and I had!

Comment by Kristen

I was a tourist in Ocean Beach and it was a fun place to go if you like crowds and parties at the beach. I had a great time vacationing there, and would definately go back!

Comment by 1 Proud OBecian

It makes sense that these comments come from tourists and not locals. Regarding that OB comment, you were probably not respected because it was obvious you weren't from here. OB is not a tourist attraction. It's a tight, unique, and independent community that supports local merchants and businesses unlike any other town. The people here are the friendliest and neighborly people I've ever met. If you're coming to San Diego to get drunk, act a fool, pick up girls, and party - then please go to PB or snotty La Jolla. If you're interested in culture, social justice, ecological wisdom, civil rights, as well as gender and racial diversity - then come to OB. By the way, how can a slacker afford a million dollar house on the beach?? Keep the US (and ignorant people) out of OB!!

Comment by State Side

San Diego is a beach community. It has Ocean, Mission, and Pacific beaches, which are known for their slacker or college drop-outs and crime. San Diego's best beaches and communities friendly to internationals are La Jolla and beaches located north of La Jolla. There is low crime and they're beautiful and natural, not like the city beach south of La Jolla. Rent a car from dirt cheap rental car place, public transportation in much of the USA sucks. In California everyboby has a car. For SD nightlife, check out L5 downtown. It closes at European time, 4am, with world class hip-hop and house/trance Djs performing there. Or underground clubs such as The Whistle Stop in South Park or Bar Dynomite near Old Town. Check out www.featureonline.com or www.mergeenvents.com or www.eventvibe.com for more nightlife or www.sdreader.com

Comment by Dan

If you are going to visit San Diego make sure you stay in Pacific Beach. The beach is awesome with some great surf and the nightlife is impressive. Heaps of great bars with some really good drink specials.

Comment by Anonymous

Ocean Beach (OB) is not known for respectful people, so be forwarned. However there are lots of cool bars around and a colorful array of people in OB. Basically a slacker town with priorities that are not exactly much in the way of production, mostly destruction.

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