ITH San Diego Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel

The staff is amazing very kind! The people you meet when you’re here the stories it’s like you become family! The experiences you get are awesome. Everything is close by it’s beach front so if you want to surf, run, walk, bike ride, etc it’s right here! They hold events everyday or post events on the board to enjoy around the area. Plenty of thing close by restaurants, bars, amusement park, stores, etc. you name it! Beautiful views of the beach! Mind you its beach front price is great. You can’t beat it for the experience you get while staying here! Absolutely love this place and definitely plan on coming here when I’m in the area!

My wife and I were slightly apprehensive when we saw the exterior. It’s a little dingy, with some foggy plexiglass and hand painted plywood. Plus we had never stayed at a hostel before, and just felt like we didn’t know what we were getting into. But when we got inside and met a very friendly and welcoming woman (who’s name I don’t remember), and took a tour of the place, we felt a lot better and could breathe a sigh of relief and started to get excited for our stay. By the end of our first day, I was in love with the place. Our room was very comfortable and clean. The common areas (especially the patio) were so nice and inviting. And the kitchen was always clean and such a great asset. The vibe in the place was just great. Everyone seemed so laid back and positive minded. We felt safe and comfortable, and to me this hostel is better than a hotel in many ways. I am almost certain we will come back.

The community at the Hostel when I was there was vibrant, warm and welcoming. The many common areas are varied, functional and pleasant. Of course, being On the Beach is a great perk. While the finishing touches on the room and private bath were amateurish (poor paint job, uneven floor levels, messy caulking around the tub, bathroom window installed upside down), everything worked and was clean. The room had been pre-heated with an electric radiator type heater, the sheets were good quality, the TV works, the wi-fi works.

The staff is absolutely amazing! Tentative, fun, helpful. The location is absolutely amazing. Met some very awesome people on my journey to San Diego. I will never forget the memories this place has given me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🩵🌈

I've stayed in lots of hostels in multiple countries. This might be a new favorite. Its clean, accessible, has a nice common area with a laid back staff and a nice clean kitchen you can actually cook in. Everyone has been very respectful, and Ill definitely be back after this stay next time I'm in San Diego. Also if anyone asks about the liberated penguins at Sea World, I was here from 7pm to 3am and y'all saw me twice!! (J/k)

I enjoyed my time in Pacific Beach and San Diego and this is largely thanks to ITH San Diego Beach Bungalow. I was visiting from Alaska and stayed for almost ten days at an affordable price that you can't find anywhere else. This hostel sits practically on the beach, is close to grocery stores, restaurants, and transit stops. I had the opportunity to make friends with people from all over the world and even went skydiving with one of my roommates. The entire staff is very friendly, there's free breakfast every morning, barbeques on Saturdays, convenient lounge areas and so much more. You won't regret booking your stay here. I will definitely be back ☺️

The place is very well located. Great for surfing and spending time at the beach. The commun areas are nice and it’s easy to connect with other people. The rooms are not what the pictures show. It’s very dirty, I had a lot of sand on my bed when I arrived. The only shower for our room was discussing and didn’t work well. The toilets got blocked easily. I would still say it’s a great place for surfing and making friends.

I had a great time. I was only expecting to lay my head down for the night but I ended up being invited to join a gathering around a fire on the back deck. It was fantastic! I met and talked with people from all over the world. I've stayed at a few hostels outside of the US and in the US and this was one of the best experiences I've had. Would definitely stay again!

Had an amazing stay! Met some pretty dope people. Beautiful girls, great music, and good vibes. If you get the opportunity to stay, highly recommend. Super chill.

It's so perfect!! If you're a person that is shy or hesitant about something like this, it is a great way to open up new horizons. My sister and I just needed a couple days to clear our heads and so we got a bunk in the females dorm which was great. It's a very welcoming place for everyone, and you're never pressured to hang out or talk with people if you don't want to. But you do have the opportunity to meet many people!! Jules was super sweet and very welcoming and was there if we needed anything. If you're expecting a super sparkling clean and done up place like an airbnb or hotel just lower that and accept this as a wonderful place to stay right on the beach with lots of things to do. Belmont park is about a 30 minute walk if you take the boardwalk but it goes by quick, and there is also a lot of places all around (2-15 minutes)to walk for food, coffee, Ralph's, etc. . We'd recommend 'seaside pizza co' for pizza, 'biggies' for burgers (or 'second nature' is a bit farther) and 'trident coffee' for pastries and coffee. There is so much around and most important, the beach is a 5 second walk. The hostel provides beach chairs, mats, and umbrellas to borrow if you'd like, along with some sunscreen and aloe if you've forgotten yours which is cool. And they also have a weekly board of activities in the main room by the door( beach days, beer pong, yoga, farmers market, etc.). They also have wetsuits and surfboard you can rent for like $25 for the day, super cool. Along with a $2 charge for a supply of towels for your whole trip They also do have, I believe, 5 parking spots for $20 a day if there is one available, if not you can get lucky getting a spot on the road nearby. BUT the parking garage right next to the hostel is a WASTE of money, they do not do overnight parking but don't let you know until you're already in and have the pay 12$ an hour. The last thing I will mention is that to enter the hostel, you'll find the door and you just ring the doorbell and someone will let you in and help you. When you check in, they'll show you around so you're not lost. I will certainly be staying again throughout my years! This definitely opened my world to hostels in the best way and helped me get excited about being able to afford travel in the near future. Beyond grateful that a place like this exists.

I had a great time here, couldn't complain. I loved the location and how close it was to other main spots of SD. The staff was amazing and friendly, couldn't ask for more. I will be back for sure

Make sure you find out all of the rules before you decide you want to stay at this place!! if you're looking for a place that's nice and clean with the air conditioning. Look elsewhere ! Make sure you put your name on every single thing that you own or it will grow legs and walk off. Make sure that you do not say anything negative to the staff or you will get kicked out. Make sure you go by every rule that they have or will get reprimanded. Oh, just as a reminder if you do stay there, I would check your card on every door that you walked by. I guarantee you it work It doesn't matter where you stay somebody else can get in your room.

2nd time here and loved it almost as much as the first time. People and staff are very friendly. Had my own room which I recommended if you're a very light sleeper like me and can afford it. You can literally hear the beach from your room. There's daily activities so you'll never be board and a group chat with spontaneous activities. I would 1000% comeback here. My only small complaint is that the people who played music played too much Drake and we on the West Coast soooo...yeah #TeamKendrick (Mostly joking)

I am torn... I'm really tempted to give this hidden gem 1 star, tell you to "stay away. You probably wouldn't like it. Staying right on the beach really isn't that great. " I'm selfish, and this place is amazing!!! I don't really want more people to find out about it. I'm sure in a year or two, this place will have a waiting list 6 months in advance to book a bed. This was my first hostel experience. And it's going to be hard to beat. They are literally right on the beach, with a patio overlooking the ocean. You can chill out in a hammock and read a book in the sun, listening to waves crashing. For a little bit of money, you can rent a surf board and wetsuit, and be in the water in a couple of minutes. The vibe is cozy beach bungalow, they have cool artwork hidden all over the place. A free pancake and egg breakfast every morning with coffee. Of you want to cook your own food, they have two refrigerators and a small kitchen with stove, also a BBQ on the patio. They had a fun event going on every night. In the 4 nights we stayed they had two BBQs, bonfires, a party bus, and a super cool jam session with the staff and guests all singing in the common room. The accommodations are cozy, they have a number of different bed options from single rooms to rooms with 12 beds. While this place isn't the Ritz, it really has all the necessities. Warm beds, hot showers, lockers, heaters, and fans. While the kitchen and common room might have felt cramped to some, it was super conducive to making new friends and meeting interesting people. It was really awesome hanging out and getting to know people from all over the world and country. All with their own unique story. I felt super comfortable striking up a conversation with both the guests and staff. Everyone was super friendly and eager to talk about their experiences. It definitely motivated me to want to do more traveling myself.

stayed there off & on for many years....always enjoyed the people and the whole atmosphere.....nice staff work there.....great tv room, kitchen, free breakfast and was always affordable.....hope to return there again

The main draw here is the great Pacific Beach location. There's a patio where you can people watch and enjoy the sunset. There's a basic free breakfast. The main negatives are it was very rundown when I was there. The furniture and beds need replacing. It is very cramped with too many people for the size. The kitchen is supersmall for the amount of people.

If you're traveling San Diego and looking for a hostel oh, then the ith Beach bungalow is the absolute ONLY place you want to be. This hostel is directly on the beach separated only by the Pacific Beach boardwalk. The whole area around this hostel is thriving with restaurants, nightlife and shopping The staff here are unbelievably awesome, people will teach you how to surf here for free, every day there's a volleyball game on the beach right out front, cookouts one or two nights a week on the deck. You're going to really love this place.

I always have such an amazing time here. It's beautiful everywhere and the staff is always welcoming. I have stayed around San Diego and this is still my go to place for a nice peaceful/fun time.

This place was so much fun, the people that worked there were amazing and inclusive and planned fun activities, i felt completely safe and comfortable there. I would 100% recommend staying here, the location is great and everything around is fun! Met tons of awesome people and the overall experience was great

A wonderful stay in the 12 bed bunk room. Hot breakfast available and people from all over the world to socialize with. A variety of ages and cultures with an epic view of the ocean.They will match any app prices, makes the stay a great value.

I am a 36 year old professional and a mom. A hostel is not anything I would have ever considered especially a surf/party hostel.....but I am so glad I did it. This is all about experiences and the vibe. It's obviously a hostel on the beach so the amenities are exactly what you pay for...less, but if you can just soak in the community vibe and embrace a carefree attitude then this is a great place to stay. I was a little nervous I would be the oldest person there, but it was a perfect blend of ages and people from all over. Upon arrival I walked into a water balloon fight and was greeted with smiles and friendly faces. Marlon was a great hostel guide. He took me around and showed me the ropes. I stayed in the all female dorm which I am glad that I did. It was less crowded than the others and sort of away from the partying. There was always something fun going on whether it was beach volleyball, yoga, drinking games, or going out. Everyone was great (staff and other travelers), and I felt completely safe being there solo. The location was great too. Right in the middle of Pacific Beach. Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are big party areas and get really packed on the weekends, but it's always a good time. You could easily uber to Downtown or La Jolla for about $14/ride. Again, this is one of those places you just need to embrace the culture of the hostel. It's clean enough, but not sparkling clean. The bunkbeds aren't the most comfortable, but I slept just fine. They provide pancakes and eggs in the morning, but I just went out for breakfast on the beach. They also did a BBQ on Saturday night with burgers and hotdogs. They do provide towels, but I would suggest throwing one in your backpack (I put 2 turkish towels in and that was perfect). I would definitely stay here again if I am flying solo. You won't regret booking this if you're a fun, social, laid back person! It's inexpensive to stay but the memories are priceless.

Best hostel in USA !!!!! All the staff and volunteers are awesome Everyday different activities, beach is 25 second walk. Best sunset ever, 420 friendly ! This is a party hostel !!!!!!! If you don't like Having a good time and dancing stay somewhere else.

I spent 6 days here at the ITA bungalow surf hostel and I loved every minute of it! The staff (Chris, Anna, Anthony, and Allestair) were always there to help with questions, suggestions on food, and instructions on how to get there. They were the best staff I've encountered at a hostel, informative but also very friendly. The hostel offered breakfast every morning, a place to work (quiet room), and incredible views of the ocean. I made so many new friends, watched the sunset and sunrise on the beach shore. We walked everywhere, everything was close to the hostel. I went to spend my birthday weekend, not expecting anything other than a day on the beach, and It was honestly the best birthday I've ever had thanks to the amazing people who stayed at the Hostel. Ending it on the beach with friends both old and new, singing karaoke and dancing around the bonfire. Ill never forget those moments. I'll definitely be back soon.

I had a nice time here! In contrast to previous San Diego visits to family in the suburbs the beach is more walkable with a better vibe and beautiful views. The location brings out the best in the city which is often like Los Angeles buried in the sadly American style of Urban planning that drapes the landscape in parking lots and strip mall stores and keeps you imprisoned in a car. The city could be so much more if it could shape its car dependency. The beach is like Santa Monica and the hostel provides all you need - wetsuits and surfboard with the stay and a cool international crowd with a lively patio. It just makes me sad most people can't have this street life and the beauty of the coast is blocked by the car and the streets that serve it instead of humans

***BEWARE OF A STRANGE MAN ENTERING THE PROPERTY**** After reading someone else's review on google saying another guest experienced the same thing it's very scary knowing management has been aware and don't do anything. I did not have the best stay during my time and the worst fact was we found out our door did not lock after a drunk man entered an all female room on the 4th of July. Thankfully one of the girls was awake and was seeing what was happening. He was shining his flashlight on our faces and was spinning around in the room at one point he was playing with my hair?? It was an invasion of privacy and extremely creepy I paid to be in an all female room to feel safe, yet that ended up happening. I don't think he had any bad intentions but this is how people get MURDERED and RAPED in their sleep. The front desk didn't even fix the door and didn't even have the decency to move us to another room. Im surprised management didn't seem as concerned only a "we're sorry that happened to you."like do you not realize if something bad were to have happened your whole business would be ruined because you can't be bothered to take care of peoples safety to fix a damn lock? I only got a refund for that night. Overall the place was falling apart and not very clean.

Great view right in front of the beach. Great atmosphere with a nice patio, much seating, and hammocks. Different community activities for different days of the week. Amazing vibes. You will meet many cool people from all over the place. Affordable stay. Shout out to Eunicia (I hope I spelled that right) for making my stay much more enjoyable because of her friendly vibes.

I would like to write a good review as I was hoping but I didn't have a great experience. The only positive points for me during my stay, was the location (great location and close to everything) and the people. But me and my friends had a terrible experience with the room, everything looks old and need replacement urgently, doors, bed, everything! We paid a lot for 3 nights, same as a hotel, so I was expected something a little better at least. The door did not lock properly, parts of the door were falling off. A guy broke into our room the last night with a flashlight and was touching one of my friends and looking for something to steal. And it looks like it wasn't the first time, as I saw a review here from weeks ago describing the same experience. They said the doors were fixed, but that's not true. Breakfast ok, could be better. Not enough room in the fridge and pantry for food. The bathroom was clean all the time, at least. I wouldn't stay there again and I don't recommend it, I believe you can find something better for the same price.

I've stayed at a hand full of hostels, both international and not, and I have to leave a five star review because this has to be my all time favorite hostel to stay at. Because I've had such amazing experiences when I do stay here every time, I refuse to stay any where else when I'm in town. I was lucky to discover this place about two years ago and have bragged about the place to so many people. It's one of those life experiences in which you wouldn't want to miss out. Such positive vibes and all the staff is ALWAYS so friendly. I have no complaints about the place from any of the times I've been there. Check it out and you won't regret it!!

Saun was an awesome host. Marlon and all of the staff was so accommodating. Great experience! Penelope has got a wicked serve, Volleyball on the Beach! The staff was really at great at organizing activities, never a dull moment. One of my favorite hostel experiences ever. All bubbles, no troubles when you're at the beach bungalow in PB. Much love! RH

Mold. While the people are nice and welcoming, the activities and the games, family dinners/breakfasts, etc is nice, I just couldn't get over the Mold on the beds. They wrap the mattresses in water-tight covering, to protect from accidents and drunk whatever, but there's no ventilation in the females dorm room, so the steam from shower, humidity, hot ladies' breath, etc make a nice environment for mold to grow. I was on a bottom bunk and looking up into a mold caked mattress. Gross. Also it's not the safest environment, unfortunately you have to be guarded against the rude and inappropriate behavior from drunk male guests trying to hit on you left and right. Also, clean the firkin refrigerators!!!

Oof, staying in this hostel was an experience to say the least. I love a good party scene but this place is like a freshman's frat house. Every surface in the bathroom was soaked and clotted with sand, the shared kitchen had stacks of dishes + molded bread on the shelves + a fridge / freezer stuffed to the brim with rotting leftovers, and the communal areas were littered with trash. Staff were usually MIA and could only be bothered if they were smoking weed with guests. Sheets and towels were swooped up by other guests despite signs discouraging such behavior. The rental bikes were tattered beyond belief, it seemed as if they previously been struck by a car. It's disappointing because this hostel has great potential for an enriching experience for all walks of life but lacks the structure of a truly successful shared space.

Bevvy and Chris were great hosts. Very inviting. So much fun. So laid back. The hostel is good, but the community they built makes this an experience that's hard to beat. Very real people and great conversation. Or you can keep to yourself and have a great time as well. A wonderfully organic experience hosted by people who give a damn. I can honestly say that I had a better experience here than I would have at any hotel.

This place is amazing! Stayed with them for three nights in early April. They had just switched management and the new team is really on top of it! The rooms, beds and bathrooms are all quite clean, there is a kitchen available with everything you may need. The spot is directly on the beach with a huge porch perfect for relaxing and/or celebrating. If I lived in PB I'd be pretty jealous of the beach parties going on. The overall atmosphere was very friendly...I'm sure it depends on your luck with the other guests, but everyone was very quiet and respectful in the rooms and I had no problem sleeping. There is a staff member at the desk 24/7 and they are all super helpful. Definitely returning next time I'm down south! S/o to Scott and Dustin and the rest of the team, you guys are the best!

This place was awesome! We prefer it over the Air Bnb we booked AND the night we stayed at the Sheraton. We should have stayed here the whole weekend! We had the room with 4 beds and 1 bathroom. Our roomies were from Australia and they were gone the whole time. The setting is relaxed and they have coffee 24 hours. Dinner is served and so is breakfast, the option to cook in the open kitchen is available to. Everyone is friendly and you are able to be you and relax!

I enjoyed my stay at this hostel, it was my first stay at a hostel ever, I was just looking for a place to crash & shower while I recuperate for the next leg of my road trip across California. This place debunked a lot of my preconceived ideas about hostels! It felt safe, people were really nice & friendly but not creepy, the facilities were actually pretty clean, a lot sand everywhere which being located right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk and being a surfers hostel to be expected and sand is tricky to get rid of completely anyway, I was surprised to find sand in my bed before I got in so that was a little off setting but the blankets & pillows were clean and sand free so I took advantage of having a room to myself to make use of the blanket on both the bottom & top bunk to keep the sand away. The bathroom was clean and well supplied. The kitchen is open for guest use which means you have to clean your mess & follow the honors code, I don't know if that is really done here as I didn't store anything in the kitchen. The front patio is my favorite great view of the ocean & people watching a few hammocks to lounge in, & fire pit lit every night by guests to stay cozy during late night convos, but not too late! There's a 12am-6am quiet time that is enforced by staff to keep peaceful sleep hours for guests which I think is really considerate as I'm sure many hostels are a hub for youthful partiers who might not realize they are disturbing the peace. The breakfast is just make your own pancakes spread and coffee or tea not much fan fare there but a lot of restaurants nearby you can go grab a bite at, so for the price the fact that breakfast is included was already shocking so I wasn't expecting much. All in all great stay met some cool folks while my visit was short, and would definitely stay again in the future if I needed a hot shower, warm bed, & nice convos with interesting people from all over the world.

This is really my favorite place to stay in San Diego, the service and the kindness of the staff is amazing and they have really nice amenities for you there and such a fun good energy there constantly and ive made some good friends and memories there for sure. I highly recommend if you wanna take a nice break and relax or have fun check in there

DO NOT STAY HERE. I hope people read this review before visiting. The door to our room FELL OFF THE HINGES. keep reading. The pictures listed here are false marketing. The patio had hardly any furniture, most of the building was falling apart and needed major maintenance. Kitchen and public areas were so dirty that I never bothered to be in any of them more than to make it to my room. The window in our bathroom had broken blinds and was propped open with a pole, no screen. My bed was by a window with no blinds, no shade, no curtain. When the door literally fell backwards into the room, I told the staff, nothing was done. All of us slept an entire night with no door or lock. It might have been nice to know that I needed my own blanket, I was given a loose sheet and pillow. The toilet seat was a soft cushion ripped in several places and the shower was full of mold. Our room had no light except for a floor lamp in the corner. Parking was hard to come by and $20 a night is a lot to take one of the 6 that are at the hostel. Breakfast was eggs and a pitcher of batter to make pancakes (truthfully I never saw eggs) but I wouldn't have touched anything anyways. No options for anyone who is vegan or gluten free or wants anything with nutritional value. I will probably never stay in a hostel again after this experience. Terrible value, everyone staying in that room should be refunded including me.

Sure, the Beach Bungalow is in a prime spot on PB, but that and the reasonable pricing is only part of the draw. The warm, friendly, helpful staff was responsive to my needs once I settled into the hostel experience. It's not even close to a fancy hotel, or even a not too fancy motel. It's got everything you need to have a great experience. But if you're a spoiled rich kid without a sense of adventure and a closed mind, don't stay here. If you are okay with bare bones but comfortable accommodations and you want to connect with some of the most incredible, warm human beings the world has to offer, sign up for the experience! The price is right, the staff is excellent, and the chance to mingle with people from all over the world is priceless!

Don't stay here if you hate: having a fun time, talking to other people, eating delicious food, and playing great games. Staying here at the Beach Bungalow Hostel was the best decision I could have made for my little getaway to San Diego. I went all alone, and had such an amazing time in the one night I stayed there! All of the people I encountered there were very sweet/talkative and from all over! It was so much fun having so many different cultures in one place! The workers were very hospitable and made sure I was enjoying my first time in a hostel. They made my experience the best it could have been. PRICE: I payed $32.00 for one night, not renting anything. They provide a nice light breakfast and a dinner as well, which saves so much money! LOCATION: There is no better place for a Hostel than right on the beach, like this one. I kid you not, it is 10 feet from the beach (at best). They have a small beach volleyball net for their guests to play on. They also rent out: bikes, skateboards, surfboards, and wet suits for guests to use as well. They have a deck that overlooks the boardwalk, beach and ocean which makes for an unblocked, perfect view at all times of the day. The deck was where everyone would relax, hangout, and talk. They also have a table-tennis table, a living room, and seating everywhere. BED/BATHROOM: I stayed in the female private dormitory and it had a lock on the door that resembled one you would find in a hotel. You get one bed in a bunk bed with two pillows and a blanket, which proved to be plenty for me. The linens on my bed were clean, tidy, and ready for me to snuggle into them! They have a little postcard they give you that is placed on your bed in case you want to send it out to anyone or just keep it as a memory, which also added to the hospitality. The bathroom was clean, just like a normal bathroom should be. OVERALL: The whole vibe of the hostel was something you could never find at a hotel. It consisted of a bunch of travelers from all over, looking for a good and fun place to rest their head (or party) for the night. The workers (again) were very friendly and made sure everyone was enjoying their time. Craig was especially a good worker, very kind and aware as to how everyone was doing. I would go back to this hostel in a heartbeat, it was an adventure I am not going to forget anytime soon. 10/10

Amazing location! Affordable, friendly staff, easy going rules. Coming back in summer!

I paid quite a lot of money. I expected a lot better. Location is great, atmosphere is too but seriously the facilities are terrible. Its clear that very little investment has been made back into the property. - WIFI is terrible, I could only connect right next to the reception. - The kitchen is a shoe box. For that many people staying, it needs to be bigger and better equipped. - The lockers are tiny and security is very poor. I didn't feel very safe leaving my stuff there. One of the poorest hostels I've stayed at... In LA & San Fran, I stayed with IH (International Hostel's). The difference is unbelievable. The value for money and the facilities were the best I've ever seen.

Only book here if you don't mind unreliable, untrustworthy management. After booking online I realised I'd be very strapped financially by the end of my trip. I decided not to stay at the hostel and called to cancel my reservation. I called the day after making my reservation, a full week in advance of my stay. The first man I spoke with said he couldn't find my reservation. I assured him that I received a confirmation email and needed to make sure my card wouldn't be charged. This is when I first spoke with the manager, Dustin. I told Dustin that his colleague couldn't find my reservation but I definitely made one and needed to be sure that it was cancelled successfully. He asked for my name, said it was taken care of and abruptly tried to end the call. I asked him to wait, and asked him if he found my reservation - he said he had. I asked if he canceled it - he said yes. I told Dustin that I wanted to confirm that my card would not be charged - he said it would not. One week later, at the end of my trip, running low on funds as I'd predicted, this hostel charged my card $77.35. So much for that. Then Dustin agreed to give me a cash refund. I said I'd come in the next afternoon and he said that was fine. I came the next day and Dustin was not in, could not be reached, and did not leave any information for his staff. TLDR; I trusted this establishment's manager and was left stranded as a result.

So a friend and I visited San Diego during Memorial Day weekend and wanted to be adventurous (and also try to save a little money) by trying to stay at a hostel for a couple nights. My friend had stayed at a different one before in downtown San Diego and had a good experience so we thought we'd give Beach Bungalow hostel a try since the reviews and photos online were good/decent. Well, that couldn't be further from the truth in person!! It was UNCLEAN and seemed super UNSAFE. Definitely no restrictions on noise control either. We were like "oh, hell NO!", we cannot stay here so we booked a hotel room on the spot at hotel circle instead. Thank goodness there were still some rooms available that weekend! Don't recommend the Beach Bungalow hostel AT ALL!!

My review is going back a few years. Some times I could do reviews off memory and they are awesome. I stayed here on my first trip to California. Rolling Solo. As a teacher I had a break week in November. No friends on this one just me at a hostel by myself. First of all hostels are great. You meet all sorts of great people from ALL over the world. No exception here. There people from Jersey here. No not like the Jersey that I'm from but from the Island Jersey in England. Like Jersey before the 'New' on it. The hostel mom was a hippie in spirit and she cook really well I might add for about $5.00. The trips they had planned were amazing. They took us on a day trip to T.J. back when it was safe and the guide new everyone so we got the hook up every where we went. We went across the border 14 people from all reaches of the globe who didn't know each other a day before. I watched Rutgers beat Louisville on ESPN. MEXICAN ESPN! Tons of fun trips to Sea World and the Zoo. We ever arranged to see the Atztecs play in Cual-Com Stadium. The kicker missed four field goals that game. They also had constant beer pong out doors and free boogie board for all its guests. Amazing place. At that time I paid only $20 a night.

Very fun if you are willing to meet new people the regular rooms fill up quick but for a few dollars more you can get an all female room with more privacy and all female shower . The deck is awesome and right on the beach absolutely perfect meet some cool people and exchanged stories

This place is right on the beach which is awesome. My boyfriend and I would wake up early every morning because of the jet-lag, walk 20 steps and would be on the beach where we could watch all the early-morning surfers. We were able to park right in front which was also very convenient since the area is pretty bustling and there wasn't much street parking nearby. If you like to party and have a good time this place is for you. There's a rooftop bar next door, walking distance to all the bars and restaurants in the area. The people working there were very nice and helpful; they also organized a lot of activities for people staying there. As far as the room goes, we got a private room with private bathroom which was everything we needed it to be. Comfy bed (it was a double bunk-bed), nothing crazy, could have been a little cleaner but it was a place to sleep for cheap. It did get pretty noisy at night though with music blasting til 2am and people partying out on the deck. If you want to relax and get some peace I wouldn't recommend staying here. But just to stay for a couple days and enjoy the area it is perfect.

When to say at BB: -When you want to ON the beach. -Want social fun party atmosphere -Want to say in PB and see the nightlife bar scene -Want a cheap room When NOT to say at BB: -You want a very clean place -you want a quiet place to stay. -you want a calm privet place to sleep while you say in SD. - you want a comfy bed, and get lots of sleep. -you don't like beer bottles in the shower, and people drinking at noon My sister, and I stayed here on a spring break road trip. For the most part we had a blast! We got in do SD around midnight and the party was bumpin at BB- beer pong, flip cup, people dancing on tables. It was so fun to drop our shit, and join in. Everyone was really friendly, and was more then happy to share booze. Its mostly outdoors so lots of people are smoking, but we didn't mind. My room had 3 squeaky old bunk beds which was tied to another room that had 4 bunk beds- with one bath room. Luckily it was about 1/2 full so about 4-5 people using that bathroom. The guy below me was one of the staff, and took up all of the locker/ stuff space with all his shit. I woke up the first morning, and there was a chick blow drying her hair in the middle of the room- completely ass naked LOL. Usually don't mind that was just shocking to wake up to that. We would chat and talk to people during the day on the patio which is like ON the boardwalk, and usually around 2-3 a keg would show up and 5 bucks getting you a cup till its empty. Most of the staff was awesome! they would come out with us and show us where the good bars are/ deals that night.... $2 tequila shot night anyone???? yeah don't remember that night too well haha. The one guy that slept below me was a HUGE dick. Would hit on every girl he talked to then get pissed when they wouldn't sleep with him. He came in one night at like 4am and turned the bright ass light on. To which the 4 other people complained. He would say fuck you I work here which would break a fight out of drunk people. In all of this a shoe gets thrown at the bare light bulb and shatters it- lights off problem solved. After 3 night here we had had our fill of debauchery that BB brings to the table. Which is AWESOME fun if you can put on your thick skin, and just go with the flow of the party! I plan on going back some time with my guy friends. Remember your shower shoes!

Brutal. Not entirely their fault but the worst place to be in the rain! No undercover protected areas, electricity was off for over 1 day and 1 night without getting fixed, staff seem oblivous and careless. The location is awesome is your a surfer, wouldnt reccomend it to girls; not clean, and no female dorms, loud throughout night, entrance 'security' lock broken, 10 people 1 bathroom. I have stayed at lots of hostels in London and America and this is by far the worst and most uncomfortable stay i have had.

I don't know what people expect from a hostel, but if you're expecting to get the same type of lodging experience you get at a hotel, GO TO A HOTEL! This was my first time in SD and we couldn't have picked a better location. All the staff were friendly and everyone we met (that was staying here) were also friendly. It's a hostel. You come here to meet people. Not to have privacy or alone time. Great location with pacific beach and the ocean within spitting distance from their deck. I woke up each morning enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing and people watching while recovering from the partying the night before. Each night the staff at has activities for the guests (from bar hopping in PB to party bus to a club downtown). Good to know I have a second home the next time I come back to visit San Diego.

Alright, alright... I'll add another star. Here's why. After giving the Banana Bungalow one more of my evenings, I did find another redeemable quality... BB goes out of their way to make this party central. In fact, you don't need to leave. Kegs, food, beer pong, DJ, and a bunch of crazy non-locals dancing into the night. Yes, it is most certainly a hole and an uncomfortable stay, but locals are walking down the boardwalk peering into an exclusive party, wishing like hell they were from some other city. If you under the age of 35, single, don't need sleep, and enjoy the general scene of alcohol (and, all those "other" items that come with), then indulge. If you are looking for rest, security and sanity, keep trekking.

In my early 20's, I stayed at hostels a lot... It's cost effective and a great way to meet other travelers, now that I'm a little older I tend to stay there less because I would rather not share a room with multiple people... I stayed at the Banana Bungalow a hand full of times and every time I have really enjoyed my stay, mostly because when I'm on vacation I'm usually not in my room! The location of this hostel is what had me coming back, it's right on the beach and has an awesome deck that overlooks the ocean. At night there are usually parties going on and/or the staff has party buses planned to go explore the city. The only complaint I have about staying here is when I went to rent a bike it was $10, I rented it for about 4 hours and it was super rusty and REALLY loud! - in the future if I decide to stay here I will rent my bikes/skateboards from somewhere else.

I normally only leave reviews when I really like a place, but I feel this place isn't advertising itself honestly and is a huge waste of money. This place has no organization and is horribly managed. The staff wasn't super helpful, but i honestly think they're just trying to deal with the disaster that is this hostel so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. We got there a few hours before check in, but we wanted to ask if we could pay for a parking spot since one seemed open. When we knocked on the door the staff member who answered was pretty rude and basically shut it in our face after saying it was too early to check in. He was right, it was too early, but he didn't have to be so rude about it. He said we could stay in the open parking spot and we would just pay for it when we checked in. When we were able to check in, a different staff member said they already booked that spot so we had to move our car. That was the beginning of the end. There weren't enough open beds available in the room we resereved so the staff said she would figure it out for us. When we got back later, one of the beds she'd set up for us had someone's stuff in it. We asked staff "now what" because there didn't appear to be an open bed, but she did manage to put another bed together for us. By the end of the night we ended up having to share a bed because another guest literally threw my belongings on the floor to take my bed. We watched this bed issue happen with another guest that night too, so it wasn't just us. The beds have cards that are supposed to indicate if it's open, but the management couldn't be bothered to keep up with them I guess. The single bathroom for 12 people was shocking. I expected standard dirty because that's what you get when 12 people share a toilet, but the shower was literally coated in a layer of black sludge from a clog. At least they had it taped off so people wouldn't use it, I just don't get why they didn't clean it up a little. There were only 3 lockers for the entire dorm, so don't expect to be able to secure your items. The online pictures are not representative of reality, and none of them appear to be the room we stayed in. For some insight on the culture of this hostel here are some stories from the single night we stayed here: One guest broke their bong at 1 am and had to clean up the broken glass from around our shoes, a belligerently drunk guest checked in on us every couple of hours to make sure he told us he had been arrested the night before, and the last straw was when someone in the 12 bed dorm figured it was ok to have sex. We ended up just leaving at 3 am. Normally I wouldn't blame a business for guests' bad behavior, but it seems like the hostel is encouraging people to act like this. Overall, this place is disgusting and not worth your time or money.

Thursday, 24 Sept 2009 $25 for the night. On the boardwalk...on the beach. Very close to main Pacific Beach street, Garnet. Had to show proof that you were from out of state/country to stay here. Lots of friendly foreigners mostly in their early to mid 20s. As expected, some noise into the night but generally very well run and respectful guests. Slept in a room with 3 bunks = 6 people, own bathroom. There were only 3 staying in the room the night I was there. There are lockers in the rooms to store your valuables. Communal kitchen, TV room, internet/wireless access. Free simple breakfast. At the end of your stay, they tear up your credit card deposit slip or give you back your $20 cash. You bring down your sheets. And away you go. Very simple. I would stay here again.

The banana bungalow is the most amazingly fun hostel I have ever stayed at. AND HERE ARE THE REASONS WHY - IT IS RIGHT ON THE BEACH (and i mean literally, you just off the deck and you are in the sand) -Wednesday nights were all you can drink for JUST $15 - You meet awesome people ( most people were pretty awesome except for the crazy psycho girl in our room who made moaning noises all night and kept opening the door when it was freezing and the irish guy that worked there and spilled beer on us ) -FREE PANCAKES for breakfast - pretty cheap around 25 dollars night I would have given this place five stars if the psycho girl wasn't staying in our room and the fact that I only got an hour of sleep but overall if your trying to party and enjoy the beach come here

Tried to book a room...wow, the most disorganized and unprofessional front desk ever. Informed there was a $2 booking fee, but it's not listed on the website. WON'T BE STAYING HERE...

Most fun hostel I have ever stayed in BY FAR. Sure, you are sharing a room with other people, and some of it is a bit run down, but IT IS A HOSTEL. The camraderie you develop with the staff and other guests is second to none. They also have a different event planned every day, from day trips to tijuana, to foam parties and snorkeling. If you like to party, stay at the bungalow. Best part is it is literally right on the beach, in the center of PB. Great for beach activities as well as bar hopping, plus there is a busline that goes to old town on the same street.

This was my first hostel experience and I loved it. Staff was super friendly, outgoing, and fun. My favorite way to spend the day was hanging out on the outside porch on the hammocks. Definitely want to go back, wish my stay was longer!