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California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach

A beach with clear blue water and a sandy shore. - California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach (San Diego)
A living area with a sofa, ottoman, and a kitchenette in the background. - California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach (San Diego)
A reception desk with a Coca-Cola refrigerator, surfboards, and a monitor displaying a list. - California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach (San Diego)
A patio area with two turquoise chairs, a small round table, and a bamboo fence. - California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach (San Diego)
A reception desk with a wooden top and LED lights, a white office chair, and artwork on the walls. - California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach (San Diego)
Located close to La Jolla Cove and Salk Institute for Biological Studies, California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach provides free continental breakfast, 15 beach bars, and a grocery/convenience store. Adventurous travelers may like the beach yoga, fitness classes, and cycling at this hostel. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a terrace and shopping on site.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for 14 Bed Mixed Dormitory

A bunk bed with a patterned bedspread, a red curtain, and a shelf against a blue wall.

14 Bed Mixed Dormitory

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • 42 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 14 Large Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for 10 Bed Mixed Ensuite Dormitory

A bunk bed room with a number 2 bunk, a door with a wheelchair accessibility sign, and an air conditioning unit on the wall.

10 Bed Mixed Ensuite Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • 42 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 10 Large Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room (Private Room)

A neatly made bed with a patterned bedspread, a rolled towel, and a digital clock on a bedside table.

Deluxe Double Room (Private Room)

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double Room (Private Room)

A neatly made bed with a patterned bedspread, a rolled towel, and a digital clock on a bedside table.

Double Room (Private Room)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Shared Dormitory, Women only

A neatly made bed with a patterned bedspread, a rolled towel, and a digital clock on a bedside table.

Deluxe Shared Dormitory, Women only

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Pacific Beach, a neighborhood in San Diego, California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach is in the entertainment district and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at La Jolla Cove and Balboa Park, while USS Midway Museum and Cabrillo National Monument are cultural highlights. Don't miss out on a visit to San Diego Zoo. Be sure not to miss outdoor adventures like ecotours, cave exploring, and skydiving, or hop on a segway rental nearby and take a self-guided tour around the aera. Visit our San Diego travel guide
View more Hostels in San Diego
Map
743 Emerald Street, San Diego, CA, 92109

What's nearby

  • A coastal cityscape with a long sandy beach, a pier, and dense urban buildings.
    Mission and Pacific Beaches
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A pier extending into the ocean with beach houses on the left.
    Pacific Beach Park
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A coastal town with a beach, marina, and residential buildings.
    Mission Beach Boardwalk
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A pier extending into the ocean with buildings at the end, under a partly cloudy sky.
    Crystal Pier
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • A beach with sailboats, people relaxing, and a 'Boat Rentals' sign.
    Mission Bay
    12 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Balboa Avenue Transit Center Station
    5 min drive
  • San Diego Coaster Sorrento Valley Station
    12 min drive
  • San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)
    25 min drive

Restaurants

  • Pacific Beach Shore Club
    7 min walk
  • Baja Beach Cafe
    8 min walk
  • The Baked Bear
    3 min walk
  • McDonald's
    10 min walk
  • Taco Bell
    6 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • Street parking available
  • Free secured, uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
  • 15 beach bars
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Beach yoga
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Fitness classes
  • Library
  • Shopping
  • Surf lessons
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Guidebooks
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Direct access to the beach
  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 1 building
  • 1 floor
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mosquito nets

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • 2 shared bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Microwave
  • Mixer
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Restaurant dining guides
  • Separate dining area
  • Shared kitchen access
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster
  • Toaster oven

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Laundry detergent
  • Phone
  • Separate sitting area
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 1:30 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after midnight please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
All guests must show a valid passport. This is the only form of identification that is accepted at this property.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 17 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 17 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Only bookings from non-local guests are accepted; guests whose residence is within 50 mi (80 km) of the property will not be allowed to check in
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Property Registration Number Passport is required to check-in

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Children 17 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Frequently asked questions

Is California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property; nearby parking is also free.

What time is check-in at California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 1:30 AM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach located?

Offering direct access to the beach, this Pacific Beach hostel is in the entertainment district, 4.2 mi (6.8 km) from La Jolla Cove, and within 12 mi (20 km) of Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum. Cabrillo National Monument and Salk Institute for Biological Studies are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach Reviews

8.4

Very Good

9.0

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 81 out of 139 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 33 out of 139 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 139 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 139 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 139 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a fabulous time! Staff was EXTREMELY friendly and HELPFUL! I will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean, cool, safe, close to all of it.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alec

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, staff friendly, clean and tidy, only steps from the beach. Great hostel.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, lively area, clean facilities, comfy beds & lots of food options around the area. Just a heads up parking is challenging.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Maggie

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
This was a laid back place to stay. Right by the beach which was fantastic! The bathroom was nice and big. The bunkers had curtains and apx 14 beds total in one very narrow and long room. There was a bit of a locker room smell near one bunk (thankfully not near mine!) but clearly that was an individual, not the hostel. Big kitchen to use and room to hang out. Nice and helpful staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

First stay at a Hostel

Stayed in a private room. My first stay at a hostel. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Room was comfortable and steps to the beach. Will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

SILVIO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastic

Great place .. the breakfast is very abundant. Location is fantastic. They also have a small vendor connected to the hostel with the original Brazilian acai smooth
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Hongyi

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff! So grateful they were flexible with check-in as my flight got delayed. Big kitchen; bagels and cream cheese for breakfast. Note that there is only one bathroom (shower included, so it's not possible to have one person shower while another uses the bathroom) for the dorm of 14 people. I never had an issue conflicting with anybody, but just know that there's only one bathroom. There are 2 sinks outside the bathroom, though.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

JULIO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Clean and functional for a hostel. Helpful staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Terupe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed during 4 days in a private room! Nothing bad to say, very clean, closed of lot bars, restaurants and shops! And 30 seconds walk to the beach
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great lication great peolle

The location of this hostel could not be better, The staff are very friendly and always available. Everything is clean and there is is breakfast, a full kitchen to use. This place is great. Parking can be tough if you drive here.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pavel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
To Staff members, Gabi and Cara, were really nice, hospital, and welcoming. They made sure my stay was flawless and they’re just beautiful. So don’t hesitate to book your stay, but be respectful to everyone! The bed was comfy, the breakfast was simple, yet good. Location is perfect for the beach, nightlife, and restaurants. Parking on the street - no problem and it felt safe. Since there are many young people in the hostel and no one likes to be boring, it can get a little loud at night. Make sure you have some earplugs just in case! (there are some at the front desk)
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Roxann

Liked: Amenities
I thought that every thing was superbly managed. I was very happy with the bed, the facilities, only thing is, no real free parking. Each bunk has a curtain, and they have quiet hours. You need to use ear plugs, because of the other guests will snore. But they are very attentive and staying at a hostel you can talk to the other guests easily.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diego

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The overall experience staying at a Hostel, the staff ate super friendly as well as most guests. Everyone is very respectful of other space and sharing common areas like the bathroom, showers, kitchen, patio, lounge area TV amongst many activities around. I felt very welcomed and safe during my which to be honest wast my biggest concern. Will definitely be back next time I visit the area, Thank you for such outstanding staff you all are the selling point of this business. -tChiego
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
I am 74 years old and had to stay over in San Diego one night and had no idea my partner rented me a room at a hostel by mistake ;) The three people who serviced the desk area were excellent. The property was fine for twenty year olds but I was a fish out if water. Noisy as hell and I’m not a bunk bed guy and I’m not fond of sharing a “used” bathroom :)
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Inga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Little piece of heaven!!

First hostel turning age 60 soon!! Loved it! Great space! The only problem was that a Bay Arean who was exiled with her grandkids in San Diego Cty from 2016-24, left in 2024 and is now back for 3-4 weeks and then will head back home to the Bay was not able to continue staying due to ID with SD county address. Total shame and exclusionary. I get that it’s an industry standard but it would have been great to continue on! Great kitchen!! Great amenities! Staff was great! Recommend!!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Harleen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were so welcoming and had great vibes and energy.Also, staff was super helpful and resourceful for San Diego activities. It was so close to the beach. The rooms were clean and the bathrooms as well. The common area and kitchen were great. Everyone staying there were so nice and made this experience very fun and unforgettable.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

CHANGHU

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place to stay, thanks
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nino

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Maddy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had the most amazing time here, the staff was so kind, the people were so kind, very safe, I'm genuinely so sad I had to leave because this was the most amazing experience! Especially coming single as a young woman, I felt very safe here
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Victor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Needed a late night stop from a long drive and this friendly place was perfect!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rosa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
John and Rachel were awesome excellent service. The only thing is I wish the staff really adhered to quiet time
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Terri

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location; only steps from the beach. Nice common area. Decent beds.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Myrna

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love it, when I'm 58 years old.. and the stuff very nice all young girls but they very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael L. Webb

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I WILL BE BACK FOR SURE!!!!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025