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.

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.

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 13 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 70°F, while the coldest months are December and January with an average of 58°F. Average annual precipitation for San Diego is 10 inches.

What is there to see and do in San Diego?

Overall, San Diego is known for its museums, beaches, and theaters. Get out into nature with places like Pantoja Park, Waterfront Park, and Japanese Friendship Garden. Cultural attractions include Lyceum Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theater, and San Diego Opera. Locals like to shop at Seaport Village and Fashion Valley Mall.

Find Cheap Hostels in San Diego

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Other property types in San Diego

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA

4/5Very Good! (4,266 reviews)

"Excellent Location ,right on the middle of everything"

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2021

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

1 Market Pl, San Diego, CA

4.4/5Wonderful! (3,319 reviews)

"Great location and the room was extra large"

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2021

Best Western Seven Seas

411 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA

3.7/5Good! (3,133 reviews)

"I liked the pool, hot tub and the cafe. The staff were friendly and accommodating."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2021

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.

What Is a Hostel?

If you're looking for an affordable place to stay in San Diego, one of the 14 hostels here might be a great choice for you. These dorm-style accommodations come in lots of shapes and sizes, but they all have a few things in common:

Budget-friendly prices
A social environment
Shared rooms (though many hostels offer private room options too)

By choosing a hostel in San Diego, you can spend less on lodging and set aside more of your money for exploring during your trip. You can check out this destination's cultural highlights, such as its museums, and the sea views create an appealing natural setting.

Hostels in San Diego

You might be curious, what are the most popular hostels in San Diego? According to our customers' reviews, these ones have the highest ratings:

Hostel Habibi - Guests can enjoy free WiFi, a shared/communal kitchen, and laundry facilities.

HI San Diego Downtown - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Convention Center Station and Park and Market Trolley Station. You can take advantage of free continental breakfast and free WiFi, as well as a shared/communal kitchen. Rooms come with showers.

ITH Adventure Hostel San Diego - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of County Center - Little Italy Station. Property features include free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. You'll find free toiletries and hair dryers in all rooms.

RK Hostel San Diego - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of County Center - Little Italy Station. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Rooms come with showers.

Lucky D's Hostel - Located within a 10-minute walk of Petco Park. Property features include free breakfast, free WiFi, and tour/ticket assistance.

When Is the Best Time to Visit San Diego?

Good weather's always better when you want to venture out and explore, so here's a little information that might be helpful:

The hottest months are typically August and September, while December and January are the coldest months
January-March: Daytime temperatures average 66° F and nighttime temperatures average 48° F
April-June: 73° F is the daytime average and 54° F is the nighttime average
July-September: Daytime averages are around 77° F and nighttime averages are around 63° F
October-December: The average temperatures are 74° F during the day and 48° F at night
Average rainfall is 9.84 inches in a year

What Can I Do in San Diego?

Depending on your interests, you might like these places:

Top Sights

Balboa Park
San Diego Zoo
SeaWorld

Natural Features

Old Town San Diego State Park
Ocean Beach Park
Pantoja Park

Cultural Attractions

USS Midway Museum
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Lyceum Theatre

In general, San Diego is known for its:

Museums
Beaches
Theater
Art
Entertainment
Historical sites

How to Get to San Diego and Around the Area

You'll find the nearest airport in San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), 2.4 mi (3.8 km) away from the city center. Another option is San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field), located 6.7 mi (10.8 km) away. Once you're on the ground, you may want to use public transit to get around. Walk to nearby metro stations like Civic Center Station, 5th Avenue Station, and Convention Center Station. To see more of the surrounding area, hop on a train at San Diego Santa Fe Depot, San Diego-Old Town Transit Center, or San Diego Coaster Sorrento Valley Station.

Frequently asked questions

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: Gaslamp Hostel - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue Station and Civic Center Station. Guests can enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and tour/ticket assistance. You’ll find towels, showers, and lockers in all rooms. HI San Diego Downtown - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Park and Market Trolley Station and Convention Center Station. Property features include free WiFi, a shared/communal kitchen, and a 24-hour front desk. You’ll find towels, desks, and bed sheets in all rooms. California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach - Guests can enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a shared/communal kitchen. You’ll find towels, showers, and TVs in all rooms. ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel - Property features include free continental breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. You’ll find towels, showers, and bed sheets in all rooms. Hostel on 3rd - Close to public transit, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Convention Center Station. You can take advantage of free breakfast and free WiFi, as well as a shared/communal kitchen. You’ll find showers and bed sheets in all rooms.

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 (3.8 km) away from the city center. An alternative is San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field), located 6.7 mi (10.8 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, 5th Avenue Station, and Convention Center 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.

Find Cheap Hostels in San Diego

Check prices on Hostels in San Diego

Browse Select San Diego Hostels

Hostel on 3rd

ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel

Lucky D's Hostel

You could be seeing lower prices

Gaslamp Hostel

HI San Diego Downtown

RK Hostel San Diego

Samesun Ocean Beach

ITH CoLive Balboa Park

California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach

PodShare San Diego

California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach

ITH Hostels Downtown San Diego