The 5 Best Hostels in San Diego: 2025 Edition

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• Best Overall Hostel in San Diego – International Travelers House Adventure Hostel
• Best Hostel in San Diego for Solo Travelers – Hi San Diego – Downtown 
• Best Cheap Hostel in San Diego – California Dreams Hostel Pacific Beach
• Best Party Hostel in San Diego – Lucky D’s 
• Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Diego – ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel 

I’ve got you covered from the best hostel for solo travellers in San Diego to the best party hostel, best hostel for digital nomads. Traveling on a budget? Don’t miss the cheapest hostels in San Diego – this is all designed to help you book your hostel quickly, and confidently!

1. International Travelers House Adventure Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in San Diego

• Dorm (mixed): From $34/night
• Private Room: From $70/night
• Address: 230 W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Low prices, great facilities, awesome freebies, cool events, and comfy beds make the International Travelers House Adventure Hostel the overall best hostel in San Diego. A top hostel in San Diego for people looking to socialise, you can enjoy a range of activities by day and by night here.

The lounge couldn’t be much more welcoming, with comfy seats, games, iPads, a TV, and a pool table, there’s plenty of opportunity to chill. The activities include free sailing tours, visits to waterfalls, the beach, and breweries, pub crawls, art nights, movie nights, and more. Then, when you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s not only a kitchen but you’ll also get free breakfast and free pizza!

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Free towels and linen
• Comfy common room
• Book exchange

In terms of sleeping options, you’ve got the typical range of rooms including dorms and private rooms. Each bed is equipped with an individual light, a plug socket so you can keep your electronics charged and a private locker.

If you need anything during your stay, whether from towels to recommendations on what to do and see in the city, ask the kind staff! They’re known to go above and beyond to make sure all guests have a great stay.

2. Hi San Diego – Downtown – Best Hostel in San Diego for Solo Travelers

• Dorm (mixed): From $33/night
• Private Room: From $85/night
• Address: 521 Market Street, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Located in the lively heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp district, Hi San Diego – Downtown is close to many epic places to visit in San Diego. It’s my choice for the best hostel for solo travellers in San Diego, thanks to its location, affordable prices, quality facilities, and sociable vibe. There’s great public transport access and heaps of free or budget activities nearby.

You can bond with other travellers in the games room or swap cooking tips in the kitchen and in the common areas. From swing seats and beanbags to regular tables and chairs and sofas, there are plenty of spots for you and the crew to chill. Free Wi-Fi and computers at this recommended hostel in San Diego make staying in touch with home easy.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• ATM on site
• Great location
• Free linen and towels

With high ceilings, air con and fans, all rooms are spacious and cool – the hostel does everything it can to keep you comfy. Each room has storage lockers plus free, fresh sheets and towels too. As for room types, take your pick! Choose to stay in a mixed or female-only dorm, or in a private twin or double room. (Some private rooms and dorms have en-suites.)

There’s the weekly schedule of events includes pub crawls, walking tours, restaurant trips, beach outings, and more to pack out your San Diego itinerary. Luckily, there’s no curfew and the reception is open 24/7, so you can come home whenever you please. They’ve also got a handy ATM on site – when you’ve stocked up on dollars, hire bikes here for rides around the city parks.

3. California Dreams Hostel Pacific Beach – The Best Cheap Hostel in San Diego

• Dorm (mixed): From $33/night
• Private Room: From $123/night
• Address: 743 Emerald Street, Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

Located in Pacific Beach, the laid-back California Dreams Hostel is an ideal spot for people who love to soak up the rays, swim, and surf. A cozy home away from home, you’ll find a well-equipped kitchen, modern bathrooms, and various lounging areas for relaxing and socializing.

California Dreams Hostel is the best cheap hostel in San Diego because they have great freebies as well as a low San Diego cost. Tuck into a free brekkie each morning and surf the free Wi-Fi. Don’t worry about coming back covered in sand – there are laundry facilities AND the tour desk and bike hire services make visiting San Diego a breeze.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Great location
• Super kind staff
• Surfboard Rental

Now, I do have to say that this is no luxury hostel – but you shouldn’t expect that anyway with such a low price. California Dreams Hostel is a simple hostel with basic but clean dorms. With all of the freebies and amazing location, you can’t do anything wrong by booking this hostel.

In case you’re lacking ideas on how to fill your day, head to the reception and ask the staff for their favorite hotspots in San Diego. There are heaps of epic free and cheap activities to fill your day within San Diego. Local knowledge always goes a long way when wanting to explore a new city so hit up the California Dreams Hostel Crew for their tips.

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4. Lucky D’s Hostel – Best Party Hostel in San Diego

• Dorm (mixed): From $36/night
• Private Room: From $79/night
• Address: 615 8th Avenue, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Shout out to all party-loving travellers! Lucky D’s Hostel is the best party hostel in San Diego and you’re all but guaranteed to have a time to remember here. Funtivities at this top hostel in San Diego include pub crawls, beer pong tournaments, quiz nights, poker playoffs, and more.

Plus, you’re just a short walk from the pumping nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter and there’s a bar right onsite! Knock your hangover into touch with the free breakfast and tea and coffee which is available all day. Or you can cook comfort foods in the kitchen, rejuvenate and get in the mood in the sociable common room, and repeat it all again.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Great room options
• Free bike storage
• No curfew

Lucky D’s Hostel doesn’t just pride itself on the best parties, they also offer the most freebies. Free Internet (wired and wireless) and a free house phone (call anywhere in USA and Canada for free). Then there’s a free weekly pub crawl plus other nightly social events are just some of the perks that come with this hostel.

All of their dorm rooms only sleep four people. Security lockers are provided in the dorm rooms and they’re spacious enough to store all of your stuff. If you want a bit more time and space to yourself, opt for one of the private room options.

The deluxe private rooms have a full sized bed, cable TV, and mini fridge at Lucky D’s Hostel. The economy/basic private rooms have a full sized bed and no cable TV or mini fridge, but they’re much more affordable.

5. ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Diego

• Dorm (mixed): From $37/night
• Private Room: From $125/night
• Address: 707 Reed Avenue, Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel has everything you’d expect from an awesome youth hostel in San Diego. Spacious mixed and female-only dorms with lockers, private rooms, clean bathrooms. Then there’s a sunny deck with a BBQ, a covered courtyard common area and a comfy lounge to park up and get to work in.

The lounge is stocked with a TV and books, plus there’s a kitchen, laundry facilities, and more. There are diverse social events and you can rent surfboards and wetsuits onsite if you want to balance surf and work. With heaps of calm spaces to work, desks in dorms, and free Wi-Fi, this is my choice for the best hostel for digital nomads in San Diego.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Beachfront location
• Cool hammocks
• 18+ year policy

Situated right on the sand in Pacific Beach, the location doesn’t get any better! Amazing restaurants and popular bars are all within walking distance. Travelers can easily access all of San Diego’s top activities, via the main public transport lines to get you into other parts of the city ASAP.

There are several room options to choose from too, including female-only rooms, dorm-style rooms and private rooms. Unfortunately, the bunk beds don’t come with plug options or individual lights. There are plenty of power sockets in the room, they’re close to the bed that you can chill and charge your phone at the same time.

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Don’t worry if none of those has really grabbed your attention, or you’re not really feeling like a hostel stay after all. Here are more top hostels in San Diego to check out as well as a selection of other epic accommodations.

Saemsun Ocean Beach

• Dorm (mixed): From $30/night
• Private Room: From $121/night
• Address: 4961 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA 92107, United States

Not one of the cheapest hostels in San Diego, but as far as the San Diego cost goes – a score for budget travellers. Samesun Ocean Shores welcomes international travelers to Ocean Beach and shows off all it has to offer. Whether you’re here to shred in the surf or learn how to pop up, these guys will help you make the most of your time here.

With free wifi and 24 hour reception, you’ll be well connected to know what and where the best things are happening too. A trip to Mission Beach or the Maritime museum – you can do it. Use the big kitchen to pack yourself some snacks and head out on your adventure – wherever it may take you.

Gaslamp Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $33/night
• Private Room: From $103/night
• Address: 726 5th Avenue, Downtown San Diego, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Shit this place is a vibe – an old hostel and (apparently) haunted, it’s got big energy and attracts wonderful staff. This is another bangin’ hostel if you’re in San Diego for the nightlife or to kick it at the San Diego Zoo. Hopefully you’re a better human than a zoo goer but it takes all types in this beautiful world doesn’t it?

My personal ethical judgements aside, this hostel has a smorgasbord of rooms and all the beds in the dorms have a privacy panel. Gaslamp Hostel is surrounded by fun, quirky San Diego neighbourhoods to explore and you can catch a bus to the beach. Post beach, there are scooters and bikes to rent to pick your own adventure and explore the epic microbreweries this area is famous for.

ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $33/night
• Private Room: From $80/night
• Address: 3204 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel is one of those hostels that’s always buzzing with good people – whether it’s staff or fellow budget travellers. The staff are super friendly and engaging and provide lots of social activities and opportunities to connect with other travellers. This San Diego hostel hosts all sorts of international travellers providing a wealth of stories and possible interactions.

The Mission Beach location is epic and super handy to everything in the area. There’s free wifi so you can stay connected to home as well as with the people in this epic hostel.

California Dreams Hostel – Ocean Beach

• Dorm (mixed): From $33/night
• Private Room: From $68/night
• Address: 3790 Udall Street, Point Loma, San Diego, CA 92107, United States

California Dreams Hostel is in an epic location just a 10-minute drive from San Diego International Airport. So it’s a great place to start or end your trip if you’re coming from there, Ocean Beach is the perfect place to land. Ocean Beach is San Diego’s most laid-back neighborhood and the perfect to kick back with your travel buddies or meet new ones!

With a central Downtown location, karaoke nights on offer and a hot tub to kick back in, California Dreams Hostel really is a cut above. There are the usual suspects of TV room and yoga mats and other things to kee you entertained and relaxing too. Then there’s the staff – they can’t go without mention, consistently delivering that sunny San Diego vibe.

ITH Adventure Hostel San Diego

• Dorm (mixed): From $36/night
• Private Room: From $77/night
• Address: 230 W Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

ITH Adventure Hostel San Diego, located in Little Italy, is loaded with awesome amenities and facilities. There are common areas for leisure, lounging, working, chilling, eating, and cooking and the diverse program of events makes meeting others easy.

The free city tour helps you get your bearings. Keep in touch with family and friends with the free Wi-Fi and iPads. Dig into free breakfast each morning and sleep well in comfy dooms. Have a great San Diego stay to remember!

Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle Near SeaWorld

• Private Room: From $94/night
• Address: 543 Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley, San Diego, CA 92108, United States

The Days Inn San Diego Hotel Circle Near SeaWorld might cost more than your average hostel. It is a budget hotel, and it certainly goes all out when it comes to facilities and comfort. From the swimming pool and Jacuzzi to the modern fitness centre (great for staying fit while travelling!) and onsite burger joint.

There are plenty of things to enjoy without even stepping foot outside at this fabulous budget-friendly hotel. Rooms are all en-suite and come with a TV and telephone, a safe, free Wifi. Also a wardrobe and seating area, and basic self-catering facilities including a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker.

Kings Inn

• Private Room: From $74/night
• Address: 1333 Hotel Circle South, Mission Valley, San Diego, CA 92108, United States

Kings Inn is a modern, comfortable, and classy hotel in San Diego’s Mission Valley. The nostalgic rooms have a 1960s theme and all have a private bathroom and modern conveniences like free Wi-Fi, a fridge, and a TV.

Treat yourself to something tasty at the onsite restaurants and enjoy a nightcap in the bar. Relax and sunbathe by the large pool, keep up with your workouts in the gym, and book a range of tours onsite. Laundry services are also available.

La Valencia Hotel

• Private Room: From $353/night
• Address: 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, United States

If you really want to go all out and spoil yourself, La Valencia Hotel is a stylish and sophisticated San Diego hotel. Located just a couple of minutes from the beach in up-market La Jolla, the Mediterranean-themed hotel has two tempting restaurants.

There’s also a fitness centre, an outdoor pool, a business centre, and a spa for the ultimate in pampering. The gorgeous rooms are all en-suite, with free toiletries and bathrobes. Each room also has a minibar, TV, and free Wifi.

USA Hostels San Diego

A colourful and cheerful youth hostel in San Diego, USA Hostels San Diego is truly unique. It’s the coolest hostel in San Diego, housed in a historic building in the Gaslamp district. The building was previously used as both a brothel and a children’s home and there are rumours of it being haunted!

An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is served each morning and you have full use of the kitchen and large TV lounge. Pub crawls, cheap dinners, and shuttles to major attractions are more bonuses. There are power outlets in the lockers, meaning you can charge your devices without worrying.

HI San Diego – Point Loma

HI San Diego – Point Loma is the best hostel for couples in San Diego. There are cosy double rooms (with shared bathrooms) as well as dorms, and you’re close to the beach, nightlife, and many restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Sporty travellers can borrow surfboards for free, and there’s tons of stuff to make beach trips sweet, like seaside games, towels, etc. Wanna mingle? Join the weekly taco tours and chill in the sociable TV lounge or on the courtyard, which has a BBQ and fire pit.

Hostel Habibi

The queer-friendly Hostel Habibi has six-bed mixed dorms and private rooms for one, two, and four. It’s quite swanky inside, with bright colours, funky artwork, and interesting ornaments. Making good use of space, the hostel features built-in bunk beds and a compact kitchen, which is complete with washing machines.

There are social spaces inside and outdoors. With airport transfers available, there’s no need to stress about finding a San Diego hostel near the San Diego International Airport.

USA Hostels Ocean Beach

A recommended hostel in San Diego for beach bums, surfers, and water babies, the award-winning USA Hostels Ocean Beach is close to excellent beaches. Days at the seaside are made with free use of beach chairs, towels, mats, parasols, and coolers, plus discounts on surf lessons, wetsuits, and surfboards. It’s not all about the beach life, though; the hostel provides regular shuttle services to major San Diego attractions.

You can get into yoga classes, pub crawls, weekly farmers’ market trips beach bonfires and more. Other reasons to stay at this San Diego backpackers hostel? Breakfast is free, there’s a kitchen, terrace, and common room, there are laundry facilities, Wifi is free – the list goes on!

Hostel on 3rd

Just two blocks from the Downtown Convention Centre, you’ll be based in the heart of the city. That location gives you access to all other parts of the city, great public transport connections and a really cool and hip vibe. Spend your morning strolling from cafe to cafe and enjoy the closeness of cool hotspots like the USS Midway Museum, San Diego zoo and beaches.

You can also save money on transportation costs, as this San Diego backpackers hostel is located within walking distance of the Gaslamp district’s vibrant nightlife. OR, Chill in the large common room, complete with a pool table, TV, and book exchange, and bang out a tune on the piano. Feeling hungry? cook something tasty in the kitchen, and sleep well in the comfy dorms and twin rooms.

R.K. Hostel

Located in Little Italy, R.K. Hostel is a top youth hostel in San Diego for active travellers and people who love to be out exploring. The free breakfast is designed to be eaten on the go, with granola bars, fruit, pastries, and more. Maybe you want to pop out and find the sneaky Sunny Jim Cave Store up in La Jolla?

After a day of sightseeing, have an evening of Netflix, a session on the Xbox 360, or a good chat in the comfy common area. Pop open a beer on the terrace and toss some meats on the BBQ for the perfect laid-back evening. You can also cook up your favourite dishes in the kitchen.

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Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in San Diego.

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Product

Description

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Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

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Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Hanging Laundry Bag

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Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

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Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

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Monopoly Deal

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Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

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Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!

How much does a hostel cost in San Diego?

A dorm bed can cost anything between $39-$42. A private room will set you back a bit more, costing between $92-$107.

What are the best hostels in San Diego for couples?

ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel is the first that springs to mind – big hostel vibe that couples who hostel love to be a part of. If that’s fully booked or you want a bit more privacy, check out Kings Inn. This budget accommodation has a lovely big pool you can flirt in forever.

What is the best hostel in San Diego near the airport?

ITH Adventure Hostel San Diego, located in Little Italy, is less than a 10-minute taxi ride from San Diego International Airport. Get in touch with your accommodation to suss the best way to transfer from the airport.

By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in San Diego has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! The best hostels in San Diego are all awesome and will help you have a better experience in this epic and beautiful American city. Get out there and enjoy the beach or at least the boardwalk.

Whether you want to stay in Ocean Beach and make the most of surfing… Or closer to Balboa Park and Downtown to discover the more metropolitan side of this sandy city, I’ve got you covered. If you’re on the fence about where to stay, I get ya, it can feel like a big decision but just pull pin, book a couple of nights, and go from there. 

I’d book in at International Travelers House Adventure Hostel – it’s pretty failsafe and there are great facilities. From free breakfast to free wifi and of course, wonderful staff, you’re in good hands here. There are plenty of activities on so solo travelers can mix and mingle easily and you can make new friends. 

My top recommendation for the cheapest hostel in San Diego would have to be California Dreams Hostel. There are a few to choose from so have a look at which area you’d prefer to sit in – Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach.

Wherever you stay, the people are rad, the weather is warm, and the surf is stunning, I’m sure you’ll have a ball!

If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!

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