The Best Hostels In Los Angeles California

While the City of Angels might not have a reputation for affordability, it’s home to a growing number of hostels. If you want to explore the city’s hotspots on a budget, these wallet-friendly options are a good place to start.

A sprawling metropolis brimming with museums, restaurants and celebrities, Los Angeles can be overwhelming and expensive to visit. But it is possible to explore the city without breaking the bank. Hostels aren’t particularly widespread in the US, but in LA, you’ll find them dotted from Venice Beach to Hollywood – there’s even one sitting right on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Whether you’re looking for a party atmosphere, want to stay in a classic Hollywood manor or prefer something beachside, these affordable and sociable hostels are the best in LA.

1. Melrose Hostel

Hostel

Located off the bustling and much-loved Melrose Avenue, the Melrose Hostel is the perfect place for travelers looking to cram a lot into their LA schedule. It’s a location handy to favored sights like the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Runyon Canyon, plus you’ll be surrounded by plenty of edgy LA boutiques and hip matcha latte-serving cafés. Amenities include the basics like free wifi and breakfast, but it also offers a whole host of daily and nightly activities, such as Hollywood hiking tours, allowing ample opportunity to meet fellow travelers.

2. Walk of Fame Hostel

Hostel

For those interested in a bit of celebrity spotting, the Walk of Fame Hostel is a downright cornucopia of opportunities. Located on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, you have a front-row seat to movie premieres at historic theaters such as TCL Chinese Theatre and Disney’s El Capitan. However, the hostel doesn’t just ride off its enviable location; it also offers great amenities to boot, such as free breakfast, organized outings and laundry facilities. This hostel is for those who want to fill their days with fun but are still looking for some classic home comforts.

4. Samesun Venice Beach

Independent Hotel, Hostel

Located about as close as you can get to the golden sands of Venice Beach, the location of Samesun is unbeatable. How many hostels can boast about palm tree-lined views over the Pacific Ocean? When you’re not making new friends at the nightly in-house events or skateboarding along the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk out front, you’ll be in your comfortable room being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves lapping the shore. If you do fancy exploring further afield, the hostel has an on-site reservation agent to book excursions and trips for you – so, gather up your new friends and head out on a day trip to the Hollywood Sign, before retreating to the beach in time for happy hour.

5. PodShare DTLA

Hostel

If you’re sick of cramped bunks, then PodShare is for you. As the name suggests, beds are pod-like spaces (you won’t notice your neighbor) – each with a television and reading light. The Downtown location lies in the Arts District, where you can explore breweries, art galleries and thought-provoking street art. Check out up-and-coming talent at Art Share LA – something of an arts collective with exhibitions, residences and classes – and then head to Arts District Brewing Company for a craft beer in its lively warehouse-style setting.

6. Banana Bungalow Hollywood

Hostel

A former motel, Banana Bungalow is ideal for those who want to socialize (or party) during their trip to La La Land, as it organizes free social nights, including karaoke and a pub crawl. Dorms have either six or eight beds and a bath and kitchen; the hostel also has private rooms. Because of the motel-esque layout, there is also on-site parking, and the Hollywood Sign is visible from the courtyard, which has been converted into a hangout area.

7. HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel

Hostel

Located in the coastal city of Santa Monica, HI Los Angeles is just a block from the beach. The surrounding neighborhood is full of trendy shops and restaurants, and nearby public transit is available for guests to explore the rest of LA. The hostel also organizes daily events and tours that you can sign up for. With more than 260 beds across four floors, HI Los Angeles is a giant, but the behemoth hostel is also eco-friendly, having been awarded Santa Monica Green Business Certification for its sustainability measures.

Molly Codyre contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.