A coastal landscape with waves crashing onto the shore, palm trees, and buildings along the coastline.

Hostels in San Diego

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
2 Oct - 4 Oct
In two weeks
9 Oct - 11 Oct
In one month
23 Oct - 25 Oct
In two months
20 Nov - 22 Nov

Our top choices for San Diego hostels

A hotel room with a herringbone-patterned floor, a bed, a chair, and curtains with room numbers.

1. Stay Classy Hostel

Stay Classy Hostel
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (959 reviews)
"Great, simple stay"
Canada
Wai Kit
The price is NZ$101
includes taxes & fees
27 Oct - 28 Oct
Stay Classy Hostel
An outdoor patio area with seating arrangements, a pergola, and a green wall.

2. Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel

Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel
2.0 star property
Ocean Beach
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (593 reviews)
"Short walk to beach and anything else you want to do!!!!"
United States
linda
The price is NZ$120
includes taxes & fees
14 Oct - 15 Oct
Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel
The storefront of Hostelling International 521 Market with a clear view of the entrance and a person inside.

3. HI San Diego Downtown - Hostel

HI San Diego Downtown - Hostel
1.5 star property
Downtown San Diego
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (737 reviews)
"Fantastic , friendly and beautiful atmosphere."
United States
Majid
The price is NZ$145
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
HI San Diego Downtown - Hostel
A multi-level interior with a staircase, wooden doors, and a balcony with plants.

4. Gaslamp Hostel

Gaslamp Hostel
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (698 reviews)
"Thank you for a great stay!"
United States
Karin
The price is NZ$222
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Gaslamp Hostel
A group of people sitting outdoors at a table with a drink and a book.

5. California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach

California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach
2.0 star property
Point Loma
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (246 reviews)
"always like this place ,hope to go again"
United States
melvyn
The price is NZ$177
includes taxes & fees
27 Oct - 28 Oct
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach
A coastal cityscape with buildings along the beach, waves in the foreground, and a clear sky.

6. ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel

ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
2.0 star property
Mission Beach
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (233 reviews)
"Rooms were clean and staff was really friendly and welcoming. Also, really close to the beach and places where to eat."
United States
Fernando
The price is NZ$171
includes taxes & fees
29 Sept - 30 Sept
ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
A modern kitchen with a black countertop, stainless steel sink, and a microwave.

7. La Ventana

La Ventana
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
7.2 out of 10, Good, (72 reviews)
"Good"
United States
Arthur
The price is NZ$173
includes taxes & fees
27 Sept - 28 Sept
La Ventana
A sandy beach with palm trees and a bridge in the background.

8. California Dreams Hostel - Downtown

California Dreams Hostel - Downtown
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
7.6 out of 10, Good, (420 reviews)
"The rooms are clean, the staff is helpful, and the place is in the center of downtown, so you can easily access all the major museums and places to visit."
Canada
Marcelo
The price is NZ$190
includes taxes & fees
12 Oct - 13 Oct
California Dreams Hostel - Downtown
A beach with clear blue water and a sandy shore.

9. California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach

California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
2.0 star property
Pacific Beach
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (142 reviews)
"I’m in love. Maybe with 100 people but they are all so sweet and pretty. Wish I didn’t have to go but they got all booked up. I highly recommend this property. Good people doing good work"
United States
Antonio
The price is NZ$148
includes taxes & fees
20 Oct - 21 Oct
California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
An outdoor seating area with metal chairs and tables, a potted plant, and a brick wall.

10. Hostel on 3rd

Hostel on 3rd
1.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
6.4 out of 10, (283 reviews)
"My service dog got bit by the front desk workers’ dog. Barking uncontrollably all vicious like. I will not go back."
United States
Antonio
The price is NZ$161
includes taxes & fees
8 Oct - 9 Oct
Hostel on 3rd
A beachside restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, featuring a sign for 'Ocean's Ice Cream'.

11. ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel

ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
2.0 star property
Pacific Beach
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (268 reviews)
"Great stay! Front desk guy was a little eccentric but very down to earth. Excellent area, with pacific beach a few steps away or take a bike or walk to mission beach. Amazing stay!"
United States
angelea
The price is NZ$192
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Top San Diego Hotel Reviews

Sheraton San Diego Resort

Sheraton San Diego Resort

10/10 Excellent
"Just make sure where your room is. Ours was soon far from the lobby, store and restaurants. Actually too far"
Sherry 2-night trip
Posted 5 hours ago
Sheraton San Diego Resort

Find out more about San Diego

San Diego Hostels information

Number of reviews
2,743
Accommodation
16 Hostels
Lowest Price
NZ$101
Highest Price
NZ$222

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in San Diego?
Hostels are a great way to stay for a good value, so you can save your budget for fun things to do. We've heard good things about the zoo, waterfront and other attractions in this destination.
What is a hostel?
No two hostels look the same, but these dorm-style accommodations all feature shared rooms (though many hostels also have private rooms), budget prices and a social atmosphere.
What are the best hostels in San Diego?
Ready to book a hostel in town? These top picks get the highest reviews from our guests and might be a good place to start looking: Stay Classy Hostel - Close to public transport, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Park and Market Trolley Station. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk, as well as an arcade/games room. Rooms come with towels, showers and hairdryers. Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel - Guests can enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. You'll find towels, hairdryers and bed sheets in all rooms. Gaslamp Hostel - Close to public transport, this property is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue Station and Civic Center Station. Property features include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and tour/ticket assistance. You'll find towels, showers and hairdryers in all rooms. HI San Diego Downtown - Hostel - Close to public transport, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Park and Market Trolley Station and Convention Center Station. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk, as well as an arcade/games room. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. California Dreams Hostel - Downtown - Located within a 5-minute walk of Petco Park. Property features include free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a nightclub. You'll find towels, showers and bed sheets in all rooms.
How many hostels should I expect to find in San Diego?
If you're searching for somewhere affordable to stay in San Diego, one of Expedia's 19 hostels might be a great option.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in San Diego?
Good weather's definitely a plus when you're discovering new places, so here are some stats that may be helpful: The hottest months are usually August and September, with an average temperature of 22°C, while the coldest months are February and January, with an average of 14°C. Average annual precipitation for San Diego is 328 mm.
What is there to see and do in San Diego?
Overall, San Diego is known for its museums, beaches and theatres. Major attractions include San Diego Zoo, Mission Bay and Petco Park. Get out into nature with places such as Balboa Park, Mission Beach and Waterfront Park. Cultural attractions include San Diego Civic Theatre, Maritime Museum of San Diego and The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
What's the best way to get to and around San Diego while staying at a hostel?
Keep this information about transit options in and around San Diego in your back pocket to make the most of your stay: You can search for flights to the closest airport, which is San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), located 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away from the city centre. An alternative is San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field), situated 6.6 mi (10.7 km) away. Once you've arrived, you may want to use public transport during your trip. You can take advantage of metro transport at Civic Center Station, Civic Center Station and 5th Avenue Station. To check out more of the surrounding area, take a train from San Diego Santa Fe Depot, Old Town Transit Center or San Diego Coaster Sorrento Valley Station.

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