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California Dreams Hostel - Downtown

2.0 star property
Downtown San Diego's vibrant hostel invites travelers to unwind in the game room, catch up on reading in the library, or explore the city's excitement

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Photo gallery for California Dreams Hostel - Downtown

A sandy beach with palm trees and a bridge in the background. - California Dreams Hostel - Downtown (San Diego)
A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, and a ceiling fan. - California Dreams Hostel - Downtown (San Diego)
A multi-story building with a storefront labeled 'Great Food' and 'Entertainment.' - California Dreams Hostel - Downtown (San Diego)
A room with a dark brown sofa, a dining table with chairs, a ceiling fan, a stained glass window, and a wall mural. - California Dreams Hostel - Downtown (San Diego)
Printers - California Dreams Hostel - Downtown (San Diego)
Lucky D's Hostel puts travelers in the heart of San Diego with amenities that balance social and quiet time. Guests connect with in-room WiFi, grab coffee or tea in the lobby, and borrow bikes to explore the city. The multilingual staff knows how to make everyone feel welcome.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Kitchen

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Air conditioning, City View (Private Room)

Deluxe Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Air conditioning, City View (Private Room) | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Double Room, 2 Double Beds, Air conditioning, City View (Private Room)

7.6 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, 1 Queen Bed, Air conditioning, City View

Deluxe Double Room, 1 Queen Bed, Air conditioning, City View | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Deluxe Double Room, 1 Queen Bed, Air conditioning, City View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Air conditioning, City View (4 Beds with A/C)

A room with bunk beds, a window, and a view of buildings outside.

Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Air conditioning, City View (4 Beds with A/C)

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only, Air conditioning, City View (4 Beds with A/C)

A room with bunk beds, a window with sheer curtains, and a door leading to another room.

Shared Dormitory, Women only, Air conditioning, City View (4 Beds with A/C)

  • City view
  • 20 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in Downtown San Diego, a neighborhood in San Diego, California Dreams Hostel - Downtown is in a shopping district and near the airport. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Balboa Park and San Diego Bay, while USS Midway Museum and North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Petco Park or Snapdragon Stadium. Take an opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as boat tours. Visit our San Diego travel guide
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Map
615 8th Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101

What's nearby

  • A large, empty baseball stadium with tiered seating and a green field.
    Petco Park
    7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • A modern building with a curved glass facade and a pedestrian walkway.
    San Diego Convention Center
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • A pier extending into the water with a yellow fire hydrant and a pier cafe in the background.
    Seaport Village
    14 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • A historic building with ornate architecture and a reflective pond with lily pads.
    Balboa Park
    15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • San Diego Civic Theatre
    10 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Park and Market Trolley Station
    4 min walk
  • San Diego Santa Fe Depot
    19 min walk
  • San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)
    16 min drive

Restaurants

  • Decoré
    2 min walk
  • Tivoli Bar & Grill
    4 min walk
  • Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop
    4 min walk
  • Knotty Barrel
    1 min walk
  • SideBar
    2 min walk

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  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

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

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycle storage
  • Evening entertainment
  • Games
  • Karaoke
  • Library
  • Nightclub
  • Piano
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Computer station

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 4 floors
  • Communal living room
  • Mosquito nets
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 6 shared bathrooms
  • Hydromassage showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Dryer
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laundry detergent
  • Portable fan
  • Printer

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 1:30 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
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
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
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 (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children 18 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 18 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

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
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Children 18 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Frequently asked questions

Is California Dreams Hostel - Downtown pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

California Dreams Hostel - Downtown doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at California Dreams Hostel - Downtown?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 1:30 AM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at California Dreams Hostel - Downtown?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is California Dreams Hostel - Downtown located?

Located in Downtown San Diego, this hostel is within a 15-minute walk of Petco Park and San Diego Convention Center. Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum are also within 1 mi (2 km). Park and Market Trolley Station is only a 4-minute walk and Gaslamp Quarter Station is 9 minutes.

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 - Downtown Reviews

7.6

Good

7.6

Cleanliness

8.4

Location

8.0

Staff & service

7.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 146 out of 396 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 122 out of 396 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 67 out of 396 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 22 out of 396 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 39 out of 396 reviews

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Eder Plinio

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was apprehensive about staying at Hostel but the price was right, and it was close to the stadium and restaurants. I appreciated that they had the option for a queen sized bed in a room to yourself. It was a bit more expensive than the option of sharing room with others but it was worth it. We were only there for one night and didn’t have a chance to experience all the available amenities and entertainment they had to offer. Which they had a lot of. It was clean and the staff members were nice. The other guests were respectful and welcoming. I have to believe they were accustomed to staying at Hostels. If you drive, just know you will have to pay for overnight parking. I’d definitely stay again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

4/10 Poor

Diego

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location,location,loca..... yeah that's about it. This place smells sour, so much so that my luggage still smells like it a week later. A couple of sweet and friendly staff. Everyone else was either clueless or just really unhappy to be there. Under construction. Not inviting and dirty. People staying here also had questionable character. I wish US hostels could have the same as some international standards.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Seth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is perfect and the proximity to nightlife and restaurants is incredible.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Francisco

Liked: Staff & service
Walkable to main attractions
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Omar

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Central place and easy to walk all over town
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Great!

Second time staying there. Great option for the price and area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The art work and staff were amazing! Awesome vibe!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

elias

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

Great stay!

It was wonderful! I did read people complained about noise due to bars and restaurants around, I was there for cinco de mayo and honestly it wasn't loud enough to keep us awake. Room is clean, friendly staff and I loved the location. Definitely staying again when I visit san diego
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

james

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good and cheap.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved this hostel. The front desk guys were very kind. The room was great, very organized, quiet and safe. The best location in the gaslamp district. I will come back. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

jeff

The bed was good. The TV did not work to well and the loud garbage trucks at 6 in the morning was rough. Lots of restaurants and bars around the area.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Olasile

Convenient location but WiFi terrible
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I did like staff and first roommates were very nice and most others there but last roommate was very rude and wanted air turned to 55 Tuesday nite which I think san diego is cold enough at nite during summer don't need air.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Dennis

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The place is situated in a safe part of the city. Very close proximity to restaurants, bars, and grocery. Be warned though, the hostel is sitting on top of a bar. It gets very loud, especially on weekends. The staff are friendly and accommodating except for that tall lanky Italian guy who was rude and very unfriendly. Overall, a good place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Olasile

Wi-Fi is too slow and just comfortable with location being close to downtown
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bernardo

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

2nd chance much better.

Alright this time I've gave it a 2nd chance and had much better experience. Was able to get a private room this time and I was in perfect spot by the shower room and toilet room. Plus was nice to check out amenities. Also kitchen still has its charm. Room was basic but perfect for if you need to crash on solo work or trip. The only negative was the street noise but can't complain much since I had a better room. In fact I hope to return in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

RYAN

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

Quality hostel stay, great location

A wonderful stay at Lucky D's hostel. I did one of the 4 bed, mixed gender, A/C rooms for a night. Room was clean, quiet, and safe. I got a good night's rest and a nice shower in the morning. Only had one roommate. Things to keep in mind are must pay with Zelle or cash to avoid a 4% fee. Towels cost $1 each. No soaps provided for shower. These are worthwhile tradeoffs though for the low cost and good location. Definitely get the AC room even if it's cooler out due to general traffic/city noise on the street.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Lena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The place was fine! The prices were very fair considering the convenience of the location. There was a noticeable smell in the private room we were staying at (nothing bad, but didn't like it either) so we had to buy a spray to mask it. Bathrooms were shared, but people at the hotel cleaned it often. Main thing I didn't like was how the curtains for the room were not big enough for the window so it felt unsafe as it didn't completely cover everything.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Rachel

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It's a hostel. It has a funny smell but it's also an older building so that's somewhat expected. Check in was super easy and the staff was friendly. Some people don't clean up after themselves but that's not the staff's fault. Just keep it in mind when using the shower or restrooms. Overall it was a good experience. I came here for a conference and everything was walking distance. I'm originally from a big city so outside noise is actually comforting to me. That being said, night life is very much alive and well on the weekend here. If you are looking for something affordable to rest your head while exploring the city this is it.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Antonio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hostel was comfortable. The building is old but overall kept fine and has its charm. I didn't need to use the TV I didn't see the remote but I didn't ask. --The temperature was comfortable, there was A/C, not sure how would be heated in case of cold weather (heater?), or it may have been centralized. The kitchen, wi-fi, and laundry room were available. Coffee for 3$ at the reception was good and some pastries were available. The staff was attentive and provided me with a lamp. In the queen single room a folding table and a stool may help as well as a support for the luggage. It probably was the most comfortable bed, pillow and linens I have ever used. Parking was available through the hostel, so inquire with the staff. Restroom and showers were kept clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Harold

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

Lucky D's Hostel review.

The best part of Lucky D is the location. You are just 3 short blocks aways from 5th Ave in the Gaslamp District. It is great place to roam and check the many restaurants and bars. The restaurants and bars here are more expensive, but it is a cool location all the same. Lucky D was also affordable. I selected a private room but with a shared bathroom. I was disappointed that there was no TV in the room, and it definitely appeared as if there should have been one because you saw what appeared to the wall hanger for the TV at one time. The internet access was great. While it did not have air conditioning, it was not bad since there was a ceiling fan. It needs to be updated and there are some simple things that would have made a better overall impression such as having a lamp shade on the lamp instead of just a light bulb. The bed was comfortable. The room was clean. For the price and location, I would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Juan

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

Homely Hostel

Compared to other hostels I have visted, this place was on par. The eclectic decor gave it a nice vibe and the staff was friendly. I wasn't in the mood for having a roomie, so I had a room to myself. The basics were covered & the worn in mattress sufficed. I wasn't traveling to stay at the hostel, so my needs were met. My only complaint, albeit a minor one, is the bathroom faucets. The ones on my floor had to be held down to allow water flow. Usually those types of faucets give you about 15 seconds of spray before they stop. But overall, you can't beat the location for the price. I was two blocks from the Gaslamp district & about four from the ballpark. And there were many restaurants and bars within 5 minutes on foot to choose from. I would definitely visit again if I visit SD solo again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Ok for a night

It was ok for a night. You hear EVERYTHING so bring earplugs. The doors need changing. One hard pull and you get inside of every singel room. We had a private room with queensize bed. The bed was nice 👌 we had to share wc and shower. Both was super clean all the time so this was great. They have a kitchen, but did not use it. Was ok to stay here for the night but would not recomend staying here for solo female travelers. I saw no other girls around. I was with my mom so did not feel so uncomfortable. The area around was great though!! The guy at the reception was REALLY nice who let us check in about 2hours before since he saw that my mom was really tired. Appreciated it GREATLY!! 💛💛 ps: there is no elevator here so if your staying at the last floor. Be prepared to go up many MANY stairs 😓
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Awesome place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026