Each year, the California tourism board calls sun worshippers to visit the famous sun-drenched state, which includes San Diego and its beautiful beaches, such as Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and La Jolla Beach. Visitors are encouraged to participate in surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other activities, due to the year-round warm climate offered in Southern California’s major city, located just over 2 hours south of Los Angeles and 1.5 hours south of famed Orange County. While staying in San Diego, guests can enjoy renting a surrey bike and cycling up the extremely steep hills of Old Town, walking through a lush jungle canopy while visiting the exotic wildlife at San Diego Zoo, or experiencing soaring through a rainbow sky of hot air balloons in nearby Temecula. To really find yourself here, make certain to check out these best hostels in San Diego, California, listed below, prior to your visit to sunny SoCal.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.
1. California Dreams Hostel (from USD 40)
Affordable rates for shared dorms and private rooms
Rental shop for bikes, surfboards, and outdoor activities; communal kitchen and common area
Ideal location steps away from Pacific Beach, close to restaurants and bars
Complimentary breakfast with varied options; nearby affordable dining including $1.5 fish tacos
Visitors will be California Dreamin’ when they stay at this modern hostel, located just a few steps away from beachfront activities at famed Pacific Beach. After strolling the streets to check out the eclectic pottery, eating freshly prepared tortillas, and indulging in authentic Mexican cuisine in Old Town San Diego, return to your air-conditioned room to escape the heat before turning in for the evening.
Travellers can enjoy evening entertainment provided by the hostel in the shared lounge, as well as a restaurant for breakfast or dinner. Guests can choose between shared accommodations or private rooms where they will have a private bathroom, TV, Wi-Fi, a hairdryer, free toiletries, and a microwave at their disposal.
California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
Address: 743 Emerald Street
12.66 km (7.9 mi) from Balboa Park
2. HI San Diego Downtown Hostel (from USD 56)
Those looking for some downtime in San Diego with its numerous beaches, harbours, museums, and renowned wildlife parks, will feel at home in this modern hostel with creative touches located in the Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy staying in a private airconditioned room with en suite bathroom or a dormitory with a locker. Make breakfast in the fully equipped kitchen each morning before heading out to enjoy sights like San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo, or Sea World.
For those looking to drive to Orange County for a day trip to Disneyland or nearby Temecula for a hot air balloon flight over its vineyards, the hostel offers free luggage storage and 24-hour reception.
HI San Diego Downtown Hostel
Address: 521 Market Street
2.91 km (1.9 mi) from Balboa Park
3. Lucky D's Hostel (from USD 40)
This modern hostel with artistic touches throughout is located steps from the popular Gaslamp Quarter, with plenty of entertainment and restaurants. If that isn’t enough entertainment for guests, there are nightly social events and a common room with a DVD Player and an XBOX system available to use during their stay. A complimentary breakfast is provided to help visitors get off to an early start. Accommodations include a dormitory room with shared bath and free Wi-Fi to those staying at this modern hostel.
Lucky D's Youth and Traveler's Hostel
Address: 615 8th Avenue
2.74 km (1.8 mi) from Balboa Park
4. ITH Adventure Hostel (from USD 47)
Affordable pricing with good value for money, especially for budget travelers.
Well-furnished kitchen, complimentary breakfast, and a friendly and inclusive social atmosphere.
Conveniently located near Little Italy, within walking distance to downtown attractions and public transportation.
Pancake breakfast, evening social hour, and off-site activities offer added value and opportunities for interaction.
After spending a day feeding the dolphins and sea lions at Sea World, return to your Victorian home with rustic decor reminiscent of the sequoias in California’s Redwood Forest. Here guests can relax in a spacious lounge with a TV and a DVD library or out back in the garden with decorative lighting to keep the mood casual. Make certain to sign up for the free activities provided here, such as surfing lessons, walking tours, target practice, food tastings, brewery tours, and sailing.
Before departing for an hour’s drive to Dana Point to enjoy whale watching with Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari, make certain to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast.
International Travelers House Adventure Hostel
Address: 230 W Cedars St.
2.41 km (1.5 mi) from Balboa Park
5. ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego (from USD 31)
San Diego sunseekers will feel like they are part of the Beach Boys’ Surfin’ USA while staying at this beach bungalow, located on Pacific Beach. Being located just across the boardwalk from the beach offers visitors quick access to sunbathing, surfing, paddleboarding, or participating in other fun beach activities.
This surf-inspired hostel provides the ultimate relaxation experience, with its shared lounge, garden, and hammocks on the front patio. Those looking to have a working vacation between visits to downtown San Diego or Southern California’s never-ending sunshine coast will have access to an indoor lounge with workstations.
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel San Diego
Address: 707 Reed Avenue
12.22 km (7.6 mi) from Balboa Park
6. RK Hostel (from USD 38)
RK Hostel offers guests a comfortable stay in the Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego, which is perfectly located to nearby restaurants and entertainment. This adults-only hostel provides a TV room, game room, ping pong table, video games, darts, and films to keep visitors entertained during their stay. Some guests will have the privilege of being able to wake up each morning to a beautiful view of the sun kissing the Pacific Ocean, prior to digging into their breakfast each day.
After spending time checking out the USS Midway Museum, where you will be awestruck by the size of the aircraft carrier on display, along with other battleships, head home and enjoy a BBQ dinner while taking in a stunning sunset.
RK Hostel
Address: 642 West Hawthorn
2.38 km (1.5 mi) from Balboa Park
7. USA Hostels Ocean Beach (from USD 38)
Enjoy staying beachfront, where you can participate in beach volleyball, paddle boarding, surfing, or evening bonfires on Ocean Beach during your visit to San Diego. For those not renting a car or not using the local transit system, there is a free shuttle service provided to access attractions, such as downtown San Diego, the beaches, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and even to neighbouring La Jolla.
After enjoying your daily breakfast, rent a bicycle to ride on the beach or take a discounted surf lesson. Beach umbrellas, chairs, and mats are provided complimentary to guests staying at this eclectic hostel with an underwater themed kitchen and hippie vibes throughout the dormitories.
USA Hostels Ocean Beach
Address: 4961 Newport Ave
10.01 km (6.3 mi) from Balboa Park
8. HI San Diego Point Loma Hostel (from USD 34)
Visitors can expect a laid-back environment when staying at this hostel, with its backyard garden area, cosy lounge area, and hammocks. To enjoy the surrounding residential neighbourhood, there are bicycles which can be rented. Guests have the choice to stay in private or shared accommodations, where they’ll be provided lockers, linens, towels, Wi-Fi, and a large kitchen area.
After a day shopping at Horton Plaza or visiting the wildlife at San Diego Zoo, return to your eco-friendly home-away-from-home to relax in the games room or watch some TV in the lounging room.
HI San Diego Point Loma Hostel
Address: 3790 Udall Street
8.08 km (5.1 mi) from Balboa Park
9. USA Hostels San Diego - Downtown (from USD 34)
Adventure seekers will find this 1880s building in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quater to have a warm, charming, Bohemian feel to it. Who wouldn’t wake up in a sunny mood with halls painted California Sunshine yellow and a daily complimentary breakfast to get a head start on the day before exploring the “sunsational” city of San Diego?
The hostel is located close to Balboa Park, where visitors can enjoy San Diego’s shops, museums, and restaurants. The hostel offers private or shared accommodations with laundry, Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen, and lockers. Before heading out to take a ferry over to Coronado Island for its famous Victorian-Style Coronado Resort, stop by the tour desk for suggestions from the staff or brochures for more information on San Diego.
USA Hostels San Diego - Downtown
Address: 726 5th Avenue
2.78 km (1.8 mi) from Balboa Park
10. ITH Colive Balboa Park (from USD 41)
Your already sun-shiny days will be a little brighter at this hostel, where you will feel like you are in a colourful box of Crayola crayons. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast to start your day’s adventures in San Diego and finish up with free food to cook each evening in the shared kitchen area.
Take advantage of the free activities offered here, such as snorkelling, hiking, boat parties, surfing, walking tours, sailing, and picnics in popular Balboa Park. For those looking to spend time relaxing after a day of activity, there is a library and games room with a pool table and drum kit with guitars mounted on the wall.
ITH Colive Balboa Park
Address: 3751 6th Avenue
1.93 km (1.2 mi) from Balboa Park
Find yourself in SoCal's sunny playground
Prior to getting a warm and very wet welcome from Sea World’s Shamu, check out these hostels, which will have you living like a local during your stay in sunny San Diego. Enjoy checking out the impressive Victorian-style resort on Coronado Island or the island tour on Capri-inspired Catalina Island, racing over the Serengeti in a jeep at San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, scoping out Horton Plaza’s designer fashions, or sipping one of the chardonnays produced at one of the region’s many wineries. After experiencing all these amazing options, visitors will find it hard to leave and will most likely find themselves dreaming to return to experience more of San Diego and its sun-soaked surrounding area.
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