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

Search Hostels in San Diego

  • Change your mind

    Book hotels with free cancellation

  • Treat yourself

    Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
    Sign in

  • Be picky

    Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
9 Oct - 11 Oct
In two weeks
16 Oct - 18 Oct
In one month
30 Oct - 1 Nov
In two months
27 Nov - 29 Nov

Our top choices for San Diego hostels

An outdoor patio area with seating arrangements, a pergola, and a green wall.

1. Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel

Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel
2.0 star property
Point Loma
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (597 reviews)
"Short walk to beach and anything else you want to do!!!!"
United States
linda
The price is AED 251
AED 283 total
includes taxes & fees
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel
A hotel room with a herringbone-patterned floor, a bed, a chair, and curtains with room numbers.

2. Stay Classy Hostel

Stay Classy Hostel
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (966 reviews)
"A place to sleep with a nice bathing facility. All I needed while exploring the area."
United States
Andrew
The price is AED 184
AED 210 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay Classy 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, (741 reviews)
"Fantastic , friendly and beautiful atmosphere."
United States
Majid
The price is AED 264
AED 301 total
includes taxes & fees
13 Oct - 14 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, (703 reviews)
"Thank you for a great stay!"
United States
Karin
The price is AED 368
AED 419 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Gaslamp Hostel
A modern kitchen with a black countertop, stainless steel sink, and a microwave.

5. La Ventana

La Ventana
2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego
7.2 out of 10, Good, (73 reviews)
"Good"
United States
Arthur
The price is AED 179
AED 408 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Oct - 5 Oct
La Ventana
A group of people sitting outdoors at a table with a drink and a book.

6. California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach

California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach
2.0 star property
Point Loma
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (248 reviews)
"always like this place ,hope to go again"
United States
melvyn
The price is AED 326
AED 368 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Oct - 5 Oct
California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach
A coastal cityscape with buildings along the beach, waves in the foreground, and a clear sky.

7. ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel

ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
2.0 star property
Mission Beach
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (234 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 AED 354
AED 399 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
ITH Mission Beach Backpacker Hostel
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, (425 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 AED 347
AED 395 total
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 AED 258
AED 290 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach
A beachside restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking the ocean, featuring a sign for 'Ocean's Ice Cream'.

10. 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 AED 309
AED 349 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel
An outdoor seating area with metal chairs and tables, a potted plant, and a brick wall.

11. 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 AED 130
AED 336 total
includes taxes & fees
14 Oct - 15 Oct
Hostel on 3rd
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.
View all properties
Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in
Sign in
Sign up, it's free

Top San Diego Hotel Reviews

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

10/10 Excellent
"Great balconies and sound-proofing."
Caron 4-night trip
Posted 3 hours ago
Wyndham San Diego Bayside

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 more 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 exactly alike, but these dorm-style accommodations all have shared rooms (though many have private options too), budget-friendly prices, and a social setting.
What are the best hostels in San Diego?
Ready to book a hostel in town? These options get the highest reviews from our travelers and might be a good place to start looking: Stay Classy Hostel - Close to public transit, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Park and Market Trolley Station. You can take advantage of free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk, as well as a game room. Rooms come with towels, showers, and hair dryers. Samesun Ocean Beach - Hostel - Guests can enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. You'll find towels, hair dryers, and bed sheets in all rooms. Gaslamp Hostel - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue Station and Civic Center Station. Property features include free breakfast, free WiFi, and tour assistance. You'll find towels, showers, and hair dryers in all rooms. HI San Diego Downtown - Hostel - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Park and Market Trolley Station and Convention Center Station. You can take advantage of free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk, as well as a game room. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi. California Dreams Hostel - Downtown - Located within a 5-minute walk of Petco Park. Property features include free breakfast, free WiFi, and a nightclub. You'll find towels, showers, and bed sheets in all rooms.
How many hostels will I be able to find in San Diego?
If you're searching for an affordable place to stay in San Diego, one of Expedia's 15 hostels might be a great choice.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in San Diego?
Good weather's always better when you're discovering new places, so here's some information that may be helpful: The hottest months are usually August and September with an average temp of 71°F, while the coldest months are February and January with an average of 57°F. Average annual precipitation for San Diego is 13 inches.
What is there to see and do in San Diego?
In general, San Diego is known for its museums, beaches, and theaters. Major attractions include San Diego Zoo, Mission Bay, and Petco Park. Get out into nature with places like 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 Intl. Airport (SAN), 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away from the city center. An alternative is San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field), located 6.6 mi (10.7 km) away. When you're out and about, you may want to make use of public transit. You can access metro transit at Civic Center Station, Civic Center Station, and 5th Avenue Station. To explore more of the surrounding area, catch a train at San Diego Santa Fe Depot, Old Town Transit Center, or San Diego Coaster Sorrento Valley Station.