This was my first hostelling experience and it was a very good one. I was in San Diego attending a professional engineering conference and was on a tight budget. This is a great rate for what you get. The hostel was very clean and the staff friendly. When I brought up a maintenance issue with the staff they fixed it immediately. There was a broad section of people staying there not just college kids. They have a good system set up that makes you feel like you and your property are safe there. The beds are very comfortable, I stayed in a room with 8 bunk beds.

We stayed here for three nights at the end of a six-week road trip from Seattle, so needed somewhere to chill for a few days before flying to Central America. Point Loma was perfect. The hostel is very welcoming, we arrived mid-evening, but still got an enthusiastic greeting from Matt, who gave us a quick tour and showed us to our room - pretty sure that's never happened to us in a hostel before.

Our room was a private double bunk-bedded family room (two adults and two children), just across the hall from a unisex toilet and shower. Everything was clean and comfortable. The room was quite small and felt very crowded if all four of us were in there at the same time, especially as there wasn't anywhere to put our luggage apart from the floor around the bed. But we just used it for sleeping and spent days in the communal areas or out and about, so it didn't really matter.

The lounge, kitchen and dining area was quite spacious (but this is not a big hostel, so not too many guests, or too much communal space). The lounge had squishy sofas and a TV, great for the kids. The kitchen was pretty new, and really well-equipped. It was a pleasure to cook in, don't say that about many hostels either. The dining area had plenty of tables, power sockets, good wifi, and Masai the rescued Monitor Lizard... There was also a tiny room to one side with two pcs and paid internet access ($5 for 30 minutes?), and a book exchange.

Outside there was a courtyard with tables and chairs, a huge hammock, and a fire pit - we were lucky enough to be there for toasted marshmallows one night. Also outside were washing machines and dryers, cheap to use and quick. The courtyard was a fab place to chill (although Point Loma does suffer from sea mists, so there was not much sunshine), and the wifi worked well out there too (didn't seem to reach our room though, not sure about others).

Breakfast consisted of pancake mix provided by the hostel, which guests cooked themselves. Yummy (especially if you slice a banana up and add before cooking)! There is free coffee on the go all the time, although we always seemed to get there just as the pot was emptied and had to make fresh...!

The hostel is not in downtown San Diego, but a quiet neighbourhood with a supermarket and several fast food eating places nearby. It is not especially near the ocean either, and public transport is limited. We had a car, which was fine, parking on the street is free and easy. It is not far from the airport - very convenient the morning we left.

I would really recommend staying at this hostel if you just need a few days to catch up with yourselves, like we did, it was fab. We would definitely go back.

Spent a few nights at this hostel in a private room. Staff is very nice, especially James who is there during the day. Hostel is clean (and was getting an extra special scrub as inspection was looming...) and the kitchen is the best hostel kitchen I've seen (matching dishware, granite countertops). I loved the special attentions that are all over this hostel; real napkins on the tables, possibility to borrow beach towels and boogie boards at no charge, a comfy tv room, awesome mattresses. The free DIY pancake breakfast was very appreciated.

I had a car and I found this place well located. Close to the beach and within 10 minutes from all the sights we wanted to see. Easy and free to park on the street.

We weren't in San Diego long but long enough to see what a great city it is. Great food too! James recommended Cafe Guadalaraja which we enjoyed (great margarita). We also tried JWok, OB Noodles and Las Cuatro Milpas (a hole in the wall that serves great authentic mexican food) and liked them all.

This hostel does not allow alcohol so don't expect party central. It's probably why a lot of people (including me) pick it. There were older people, young travelers, surfers, a family with a baby.

Only downside is the plane noise and noise from the doors. Nothing earplugs won't solve. I slept very well.

I wouldn't hesitate to come back here.

I stayed at the hostel for 6 nights and slept in both a dorm and a private room. Both were very clean and comfortable. The bathrooms were also very clean which was appreciated. There was ample storage space for my things, the kitchen has newer fixtures and appliances, which made the experience nice also. They also do $5 taco night/BBQ night a few times a week. The place has a nice open layout and it feels very friendly. The staff were very helpful with questions on where to eat, what to do, etc, and I trusted them completely. The location of the hostel is great, as long as you know where you are in reference to where it is you want to spend your time. Every possible ammenity is within a few blocks, the beach a quick drive or 15 min walk. I would reccomend this location to all my friends and will definitely stay again!