Had an artist draw me, located so close to everything you can reach out and touch it. Beach a stroll away with a beautiful domed orchestral park right on the shore. Library a couple blocks away. For the price nothing beats this location.

DO NOT GO HERE!!! The staff is poorly trained/ unprofessional. Including the hostels management which has been dodging my calls/ emails over my refund. Instead of getting a refund I got charged 205$ again and all they can say is that " they don't know" or that they are not " clocked in". Absolutely ridiculous answers. I will be reporting this place on multiple things. I have attached photos of their absolutely repulsive conditions. They have cockroaches. Dirty/ very uncomfortable mattresses. Only one shower functions well. Their power went out several times during my stay. On top of all of this the management staff Chris and James have been dodging my calls/ emails!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!!

It’s okay for the price you pay. I came here because I needed a cheap place to crash for the night. I was a walk in at 7pm, the guy that checked me in was kinda rude and pissy. However the bathrooms are clean. One of blankets smelled weird when I unfolded it. If you ever need a cheap place to crash and u end up here, BRING UR OWN BLANKETS.

I'm so tired of Hostels not giving back your deposits!!! I booked this place last minute because i was in the area and needed a place to stay and the first impression seemed okay. I was told I needed to pay for a $20 deposit and a $5 room key and that i would get the deposit back if I returned the sheets to the front desk upon checkout. Guess what? It's been one month and still haven't been returned by deposit or the $5 for the key I returned when I checked out, this place gets 2/5 stars for this because this is unacceptable. I have since called back and have not been able to reach anyone at the front counter...

I really like this hostel but it needs some work. The staff are attentive but the place needs some updates and quiet hours are not enforced. The community room and balcony patio are great. The kitchen is alright but it needs to be cleaned. There is a roach problem that they are attempting to correct. I hope this improves as this place has a lot to offer being in the heart of the city and close to so many bars and restaurants.

The Manager here name Chris is very unprofessional, dirty, narcissist, racist, the list goes on. The owner will not fire him although he's given the place horrible ratings. (Just read the reviews for yourself) he's lived there for years the owner gave him a bed he sleeps and creeps upstairs) DON'T GO HERE, SPEND YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. The are is Downtown but it's not what you think. It's very UNSAFE! The staff are pretty decentl, but they are scared of Chris and the owner. I doubt this place will be in business for long with this type of poor management.

Bottomline, not worth the price, if you are a 2+ people group, you can get a much better place for the same price. Place was not very clean, and I can't decide if the worst part was the smell or the mattresses, everything stank (pillows, sheets, blankets, the room) and you could feel every spring poking you all night. If you want to have a decent night sleep, this is not the place. Had to spray cologne all over the place to make the smell bearable. They clearly do not wash the blankets. Staff was ok, Luke was friendly, honestly it wouldn't have been such a terrible experience if they just renewed the mattresses and washed the bed clothing. And Jesus, please just get some air freshener for the rooms.

This really isn’t the cute, colorful place in the photos. It’s very dirty and smells terrible. I’ve stayed in hostels all over the world. This is expensive and gross.

Won’t return my deposit that I gave on arrival and are continuing to ignore my emails. Rooms are dirty and bathrooms are even worse. The older man working there is not friendly or helpful at all. Also they charge you an extra $5 for the ‘key rental’ just to be able to get into your room. Would not recommend unless you are willing to not get your deposit back.

Great location, walking distance of some nice restaurant and bar. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The room was clean, but no curtains for privacy, they had someone who seem to be living there and acting like it was her place. No electrical outlets near your bed to charge you phones. Bunk beds were hard to climb. Private bathroom was nice. Wont stay here again without improvements.

It's a great hostel honestly. People are chill but occasionally you will get the casual marijuana smoker and drinker. Rooms are nice, staff is chill also. There is one thing, don't expect it to be perfect. There might be cockroachs in the bathroom cause I saw one but that's it. Make sure you check in when there open to avoid being locked out all night, that's no fun, it happened to me.

Crashed here because I needed a cheap place while I looked for an apartment. What people say about chris can be accurate and someone stole a work shirt while I was sleeping. The place needs an update. But honestly everything else was exactly what I expected a hostel would be, a little dirty with mattresses that need to be replaced. Location is amazing though.

This is the worst accommodation my friends and I have ever been to. So dirty, so noisy and stank. Definitely, staying in this hostel makes you have a disappointing experience of the city.

Note I haven't been here in 3 years, it is a late review just catching up doing these now. It was a good overall experience. Staff were friendly, cleanliness was OK. The only problem I had was the security. Even though we were on the second floor, the window was wide open, which anyone could leave and smoke or whatever, which I didn't care about, but somehow a random person from the street sneaked in, grabbed an empty bed and stayed the night. This has always stuck with me since then. Luckily I knew to keep my valuables on me in all hostels I go to. But safety wise, I could not guarantee of course.

My room was messy but the people I met were excellent. The full kitchen. Was amazing. A good spot to chill when traveling. You have to have a non local ID to stay here.

Ladies avoid this horrific place!!!!! THERE'S A REASON WHY THIS PLACE IS SO CHEAP. THE WORST HOSTEL IN THE WORLD. REFRIGERATOR WAS EXTREMELY DIRTY, is so nasty you don't even want to put your food in it. SAW ROACHES IN THE BATHROOM, THE PEOPLE STAYING IN THE BUILDING ARE CONSTANTLY DRINKING ALCOHOL. THE WHOLE ATMOSPHERE IS VERY DISTURBING AND CHAOTIC. RECEPTION DID NOT WANT TO RETURN MY DEPOSIT. THEY CLAIMD I CHECKED OUT LATE WHICH IS NOT TRUE. THEY PURPOSELY HAD THE RECEPTION DOOR CLOSED SO I WAS LATE FOR CHECK OUT. THEY BASICALLY STOLE MY DEPOSIT. NOT PROFESSIONAL AND NOT A SAFE PLACE TO STAY! THE BUILDING IS OLD AND THEIR IS NO FREE BREAKFAST AS THE PAGE CLAIMS. THE ONLY THING THERE IS FREE IS A VERY BAD LOOKING PANCAKE MIX SERVED BUT IT LOOKS SO NASTY YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO MAKE IT. OVERALL JUST VERY DISGUSTING AND A PLACE FULL OF OLD PEOPLE. YOU WON'T FIND TOURSISTS HERE OR A FUN, SAFE AND HEALTHY ATMOSPHERE. STAYING HERE WILL RUIN YOUR STAY IN SAN DIEGO.

Horrible customer service. Stole money from me. This place seems to do anything for a quick buck. Do not stay here. Instead stay at some of the better hostels in the area that are also cheaper.

Hostel on third provides what a hostel needs to provide: central location, cheap housing, and decent commons areas. What this hostel doesn’t provide: service. Specifically - the general manager oversteps on a regular basis

I was going to stay here. Upon reading the reviews I would not stay at a place that Chris might steal. As well as a place that has a roach infection. No one should stay here be warned !!!!!

The customer service I experienced here was by far the best of my entire life. Beyond my own work experience, I have never seen a staff member go to bat for somebody they did not know. Staff member Chris helped me in more ways than one. First off, he remembered my name, days after a 15-second interaction. He worked with me and helped me come up with a plan, that is only what I would describe as above and beyond. The level of effort to work through a plan was definitely of somebody who isn't just an exceptional employee, but a good person. I never write reviews but this deserved it and while I'm at it. The rest of the staff here has been great as well, always quick to help.

This was thee worst place to stay from bad attitudes to the roach infestation they don't disclose, the rudeness. He act as tho I had some nerve to ask for my monies back. These ppl are full of inconsiderate. U be the judge I have photos and video. By the way I thought I should put my own blankets down so I didn't catch anything they had in that flea bag of a place. Also I had to call the dept. of health

Felt safe, two bunk beds per room, bed comfort ok, quiet folks for most part, showers good pressure and hot water.

Welcoming atmosphere. I walked here from the nearby Amtrak. Superb location in the heart of everything. Trolly, bus lines and the ferry are close. This spot is great if you intend to have the "tourist" experience. It provides a bed, shower, spot to keep your things, and an opportunity to save some $$$ with making use of the kitchen. I saw roaches and noticed one of the bathrooms were not up to par. I just killed it and used another bathroom... It gives an opportunity to meet folks and travel cheap.

The check-in took more than an hour because the owner has to confirm your booking and the staff is not allowed in the system. If you do check-in at 4 and you need to confirm then be available at 4pm! The hostel itself was great, clean rooms, bathrooms and kitchen. Breakfast had pancakes, donuts , cereals, milk, tea, coffee and the owner baked some cakes. Parking is on the street from 10am till 8pm (maximum of 4 hours).

The price is affordable, but the place is unpleasant, it smells bad, the bathroom had many cockroaches and it was very hot. They say they work until midnight and many times it is not like that

The staff were very helpful and friendly. I wish they had a freezer. The amenities were sufficient and the day staff was very nice and let me sleep a lot. 420 friendly and drink as you will. Just clean up after yourself...

Omg I wasted my money!I asked for a private room for couple they gave me bunk bed its smelly,the fan is noisy bed are bumpy.the worst place I have ever stayed..

This is a great hostel I enjoyed my time there. The prices are good and the people were very nice customer's and staff. If I ever go back to San Diego this is where I will stay. I would also recommend it.

Nice spot in San Diego, the staff is very gentle. Will recommend if you are looking for an inexpensive place to stay in downtown.

Stupid service never returned my deposit. They said that you can park opposite and I got two tickets. The idiots didn't even apologize.

Never try here is so dirty and never you can back your deposit $20 And so small room and the toilet don't have soup and paper towlet!!! Jim staf so bad talk with all customers and just try charge you

Bittersweet to leave this place after 9 weeks of friendhips made, the most accommodating and kind owner James and Nancy along with their staff Charles, Tim, Aerial, Andrew, Chris and Adam. I will miss y'all. This hostel is a magnet, down to earth, caring, most amicable which I have not found or experienced in any other hostel or hotel (trust me, I have been to so many). I will also miss Jame's delicious pastries, cakes and pancakes every morning with coffee without fail, the chill and quiet lobby and patio where I could focus on my work, excellent rates that are honest and forthcoming. Most of all, I will miss its location for everyone's safety, right in the middle of Gaslamp, you can't go better than that. Thank you so much Nancy for the sumptuous and delicious feast you prepared for the guests, that was so kind of you xx Love you all 💕

Hello everyone thinking of staying here. My name is Matthew, and was a very recent staff member of 6 months. What I'm about to type is a true unexaggerated accounting of Hostel on 3rd. Deposits - lol, if you don't checkout by 11:50am, 90% chance you will never see it again. I can't tell you how many phone calls I received while working, from people not getting there deposits especially if they paid credit card. It's real, it happens all the time, so know that..James Coe the owner works roughly 6am-12pm I have seen/heard stories of him going upstairs "to do stuff" a little before 12pm then come back down to the desk after 12pm and not give deposits back to people who were there at twelve or running a couple minutes late (for whatever reason) because it would technically be "too late'. I believe keeping deposits is a counted on revenue stream for Hostel on 3rd. Let's just say it's up to James/JJ's discretion on who gets there money back and how much. If he doesn't like you for whatever reason (staff or guest) well, do the math Blankets - blankets are not washed between guests. In 6 months of working there not once did I see or put in washing machine the thicker black, purple, or blue blankets. People are suppose to sleep under the sheet so there is no need to waste water is the reasoning I was told. I highly recommend a smell test when the staff hand them to you. Sheets are washed between guests. Mattresses/pillows - if you decide to stay there, pull your sheet back on your bed, have a look for yourself. Nothing else needs to be said. Roaches - yes, a lot, especially in the kitchen and front desk check in area ( especially at night) The smell - it has a general odd smell throughout the building, some of the rooms are straight up foul. There is no a.c. There is no heat. Chris Gallaton (or however it's spelled) he is the tenured "live in supervisor". Older, 6"2, no teeth has lived there 12ish years. To say he looks/acts out of place is being nice. Warning, he is deeply depressed. If and when you ever disagree with him about absolutely anything or have the audacity to call him on his b.s. and I promise it will happen (because his level of petty, and ridiculousness is off the charts lmao) he will run to James to keep your deposit or try to get you kicked-out. He has very little real power. (Hostel power lol) He CRAVES validation that he is "the boss" . For example, I once got a "talking to" for using a semi-colon instead of a comma. Also he sits in his room watching other people live there lives 24/7 , it's so gross...Yes, surveillance is run through a monitor in his room as well as downstairs. Too future would be staff workers - Unless you are absolutely down and out and it's between sleeping on the sidewalk donating blood for money, and this hostel, don't do it. I wanted a really good hotel job and no rent. I got greedy, the hotel didn't work out( I scrounged up a few side jobs), and so I was left mostly with this experience and enough money to leave. Keep in mind, in return for 24hrs a week worked you get a bunk bed and a get to take a shower. Oh and you can use " the staff fridge". Trying to earn money outside the hostel may prove difficult because Chris doesn't want to spend anymore time working on the schedule than is absolutely necessary. Also, you have to be trained on all "jobs" in the hostel for weeks ...I believe he ultimately would prefer everyone be on welfare and get there food and such from soup kitchens or his "homeless contacts" lol, seriously.... I did have some really great party times with some of the other staff and guests (lol definitely heard about it the next day from "the bosses" but whatever) I did say this would be true and unexaggerated. They charge way too much for what you get in return. Avoid this place. This is one of those situations where the bad outweighs the good. Sincerely, Matthew