HI Hostel Santa Monica, Los Angeles
HI Hostel Santa Monica occupies a distinctive place in local history. The building was acquired by American Youth Hostels in 1984, effectively saving the structure from planned demolition when no other viable buyers stepped forward. Today, it stands as a recognized landmark, preserving its character while serving international travelers.
One of the building’s most charming, often-overlooked features is found near the entrance. If you look closely at the walls, you can still spot original, faded painted signs that memorialize the building’s former occupants. These small visual remnants provide a tangible connection to the city’s past, making the hostel more than just a place to stay.
The location is ideal for anyone wanting to experience the best of the California coast. You are just a few blocks away from the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, with its iconic Ferris wheel and bustling boardwalk. The nearby Third Street Promenade offers endless options for shopping and dining, all within easy walking distance.
Whether you are here to relax on the sandy beaches or explore the vibrant local culture, the hostel’s proximity to these major attractions makes it a highly convenient base. Being situated right in the heart of Santa Monica allows guests to easily transition from the quiet, historic halls of the hostel to the lively, sun-drenched atmosphere of the Pacific coastline.
Expert reviews
“This great value hostel is adjacent to Venice and the famed Pacific beaches, and has 260 beds spread around colourful dorms, doubles and family rooms, plus kitchen, library and laundry facilities.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Santa Monica
- Top location
- Boutique style
Location
Recent guest reviews
26 May 2026
Very good
Excellent location
No fridge
24 May 2026
Pretty nice place, good location and nice atmosphere
Great location. Nice hostel, pretty outdoor patio. Some of the staff and security were kind and friendly. Nice kitchen and cooking facilities. Small mini shop for snacks.
Some of the staff, security, not so friendly. When walking in they stare at you, made me slightly uncomfortable. Also security came and asked us for our names when we were in the kitchen and checked it to the roster, was very weird as we used our cards to open the doors infront of her. Also there was no hot water in the showers for two days.
24 May 2026
Really nice hostel
The private room was nice with a big bed, a desk and a chair, enough space to store luggage, and a TV. The location was perfect right between Santa Monica main street to the beach,
Nothing
23 May 2026
Excellent place, really enjoyed it!
I really enjoy the time staying here! Facilities are clean and also has a kitchen.
Nothing
21 May 2026
The fresh apples in the fridge are juicy and tasty 🍎
The guests of the hostel can always attend the daily events held by the hostel. 寬敞的衛浴空間、food supplies from the local community.
21 May 2026
Exceptional
The room was very clean and well-equipped, and the whole process was super smooth and easy from start to finish. The location was also great, very convenient and perfect for a solo trip
19 May 2026
More than just a stay, it felt like a peaceful little home by the ocean.
I absolutely loved my stay at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel. I stayed in a four bed room, and it was incredibly peaceful and comfortable. At the time, it was just me and another girl in the room, and she was very kind and respectful, which made the experience even better. Everything was very clean, especially the bathroom, and I loved the shower. The water was perfectly hot and so relaxing after a long day walking around the city and the beach. The staff was exceptional. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and very polite. The atmosphere felt safe, relaxed, and positive. And the location honestly could not be better. Being so close to the beach and Santa Monica Pier made the whole experience unforgettable. I even forgot my phone tripod there, which I use for my photos and videos, and they kindly kept it for me. They told me they hold lost items for about 30 days, so I will be able to pick it up when I return. I truly appreciated that care and professionalism. I would definitely stay there again a thousand times.
18 May 2026
very convenient, great location
private room option and kitchen available 24h
18 May 2026
Great place to have a first hostel experience!
My first time staying at a hostel! They were polite, helpful, proactive, the facilities were clean, the beds comfy
17 May 2026
Exceptional
Facilities and Location are the best. Everything is perfect
16 May 2026
Amazing! Definitely recommend
Location and amenities, staff is great too
Everything was great!
16 May 2026
Love staying here!
Super friendly staff! Great location. Cute and comfortable room.
15 May 2026
I have already recommended it to friends
I blinked on that one unfortunately, I must have not been paying attention when informed of such.
All good
14 May 2026
Good for the price
The place was very nice and clean. Very good hostel
Some of people that stayed there did respect the quiet hours. Nothing against the hostel.
14 May 2026
Delightful Hostel Stay 🌻
The staff was available at all times. The beds were comfortable and had a night light at each bunk. Lots of activities to choose from in the area. The beach is literally 1block away. The staff is helpful and friendly. I wished I stayed longer.
There was a bunk mate who kept turning the light 💡 on at 4am. Very annoying for the rest of us in the room.
12 May 2026
Fabulous
I’ve got two pillows and they were comfortable, not dirty at all plus sheets as well.
The bed was little noisy in the top but it was okay not a big deal.
12 May 2026
Great time great stuff
It’s right next to the beach with great staff and many different facilities and daily different programs and activities such as comedy shows, tours and so on
Unfortunately there was no breakfast anymore like the last time I was there, but it has a kitchen very big with the possibility of store groceries in the fridge
11 May 2026
It’s great
Always stay here, staff are great and location is perfect and safe
Miss the breakfasts
10 May 2026
Comfortable, safe, good value for money
Clean, good location, great hostel culture
NA
10 May 2026
An excellent place to stay.
No breakfast. Great location. Fantastic cooking facilities and organization of cupboard spaces and refrigerator spaces. The staff was excellent, friendly and helpful. Very nice to have coffee and tea available, as well as towels. Excellent beach supplies available. Great courtyard. Filtered water. Activities set up by the hostel. The best hostel that I have been to and I've been to a lot over the years.
the bed mattress was too soft. Not all were like that, but mine was like sinking into a nest.
9 May 2026
Fantastic Santa Monica hostel
Great location and great clean facilities
For a hostel room it was a little pricey, but understandably so
7 May 2026
Very good
A good hostel with a nice kitchen and an area where you can eat or relax. There were no issues with the showers, either. The location is simply incredible.
The beds are comfortable, but they squeak a lot—so don't forget to bring earplugs.
7 May 2026
Short stay but it was brilliant. The staff could not have been more friendly or helpful.
Everything
Nothing
6 May 2026
AN AWESOME STAY IN A BRILLIANT LOCATION, CLEAN PREMISES AND FRIENDLY STAFF
LOCATION,THE PREMISES AND STAFF FRIENDLINESS
NOTHING AS THE PLACE EXCEEDS HOSTEL EXPECTATIONS
6 May 2026
I really enjoyed my stay there and if I come to LA I will definitely choose this place
The location is perfect ! It will take you about 5-10 mins to get to the beach. The hotel has all the facilities for cooking and they also have some activities for guests, the staff is friendly and helpful
The only disadvantage the cupboards don’t have lockers, bring yours
4 May 2026
Exceptional
It is on the beach
I couldn't stay longer
4 May 2026
Good
We booked a private room, it was small but comfortable. Close to the beach, pier and shopping are. Kitchen downstairs was big. Overall it was a good experience.
Lift was slow.
3 May 2026
Exceptional
Great location near the beach. The shared bathrooms and showers were very nice and clean.
Bed wasn't the most comfortable and had some noisy roommates, but that's just part of being in a hostel.
3 May 2026
Great option for solo travelers not wanting to spend much on a room
Great location, Bus 3 goes to and from LAX closeby. They have free events hosted too, I caught a stand-up comedy show which was fun. Facilities were nice, lots of places to sit and relax, rooms and bathrooms were clean.
2 May 2026
Exceptional
What a wonderful stay! The best place in Santa Monica | Los Angeles. Awesome structure!
No complains, for me, everything was perfect.
1 May 2026
Very good
If there had been the curtains every bed, then it would have been better
29 April 2026
Great location
There is a 24-hour reception, which makes check-in very convenient at any time. The common area is spacious, with a large kitchen and plenty of fridge space for storing food. Everything was clean, and the beds were comfortable. The lockers are quite large and can easily fit a small suitcase, which is very practical. You can also buy a padlock at the reception if needed. The location is another plus, as it’s close to the beach.
The rooms have less natural light than what is shown in the photos. When there are six people in the room, it can feel quite stuffy, and opening the windows is not really an option because it affects how well the air conditioning works.
27 April 2026
Exceptional
By the Santa Monica Pier and Beach
I want to be able to stay a monthly. 😀
26 April 2026
Excellent location with great staff, clean and tidy and perfect for an LA stay!
Great location and staff. Clean bathrooms and communal facilities. We arrived at 8am after a 16 hour flight and even though we couldn’t check in, the lovely receptionist let us shower and freshen up! They can provide suggestions for transport and activities too. Highly recommend.
We liked everything.
24 April 2026
Great location, cozy atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities made this a very enjoyable stay overall
The location was excellent — very convenient with plenty of buses and metro nearby. I felt safe, which was especially important to me in Los Angeles. There are many cafés, supermarkets, and casual food spots around, plus a very affordable bike rental right on the corner (even without a credit card). The hostel itself has a great atmosphere. The inner courtyard is beautiful, and I really enjoyed the open-air movie nights and free pool. Free coffee and tea were a nice touch, and I even caught free snacks twice. The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, with useful amenities like an iron and ironing board. I also liked that they organize tours — it’s a great way to explore and meet people. My room was clean, cozy, and had a nice view of the courtyard. Lockers and everything you need were in place. Compared to a hostel from the same chain in New York, this one in Los Angeles felt more cozy and comfortable.
The only thing I really missed was privacy curtains on the beds — especially when people wake up early or come in late. Also, the tour organization could be a bit inconsistent. One time I showed up and no one else came, and another time I assumed it would be the same and skipped it — but everyone actually went.
24 April 2026
Exceptional
Extremely clean ...many services and options ..personal attendance is excellent
23 April 2026
Very great location and facilities
The location
The shower hasn’t warming
22 April 2026
Exceptional
- Clean - Modern - Respectful people - Super close to the beach
Nothing, it’s honestly a great hostel
21 April 2026
Excellent
Welcoming environment.
No breakfast, Not good!
21 April 2026
Exceptional
Excellent hostel, better than many hotels, location only one block from the sea front
21 April 2026
Great hostel good location
Location is great, hostel was clean and staff were friendly and helpful. Kitchen was so practical, clean and big. Internet connection was fast.
On of my roommate was stinky, wish there were a rule about BO and smelly shoes. Also, someone stole my buns and pastry even they have labels from kitchen. All not hostel fault.
20 April 2026
Great location for a great price
This is the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at. It is clean, great location, they have everything you need, from a well equipped kitchen, to beach and chair towels. They offer free activities. I was in two of the comedy shows and they were great. Toilets and showers always clean, comfortable beds, and very friendly staff.
The only “negative” thing I have to say about this place is that the ice machine was not working
16 April 2026
Fantastic location, guests are somewhat messy
Still a nice place to stay in a wonderful location just 2 blocks from the beach. Comfy beds, very safe environment.
The full kitchen is amazing. However, the guests using it are throwing food in the rinse water. It now seems chaotic and unhygienic compared to earlier stays. Perhaps more supervision?
14 April 2026
Better than expected Hostel.
The kitchen is one of the best features of this hostel. I hope they never get rid of it. It has everything you could want or need. Everything was stainless steel so, clean. I love to cook so having access to this incredible kitchen made my stay everything I needed.
The room smelled old. Once I opened up the shade and let the sun in it got better, but you can't open the window. They should tell the guests to open up the shade each morning. And they need to figure out the main source of the smell.
12 April 2026
HI Santa Monica is the perfect place to stay - very safe, Clean and priced right.
Loved the location, so close to everything. Beds were super comfortable and having 2 pillows - awesome.
They do not offer a complimentary breakfast anymore. This was a shame as getting in after a 22 hr flight I had to figure out how to find something for breakfast.
11 April 2026
One of the best hostels I have stayed at ! Rooms are good size.
Location and good size rooms ! Very good facilities lots of beach stuff you can take for the day. Comedy nights at the hostel were good.
Some milk even small cups would be better than powder milk. No breakfast items at all just free tea & coffee! No curtain around the bed !
10 April 2026
Great!
Great spot, good staff, nice location.
9 April 2026
Exceptional
I had a wonderful stay at this hostel. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, always ready to help with anything I needed. The cleanliness was excellent throughout my stay, which made me feel very comfortable and at ease. I also felt very safe the entire time, which is something I truly value when traveling. On top of that, the location is perfect—convenient and close to everything. I would definitely recommend this hostel and would happily stay here again!
7 April 2026
Exceptional
Everything is clean .
Hotel facilities
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Luggage storage (additional charge)
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Lockers
- - Invoice provided
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Outdoor furniture
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Vending machine (drinks)
- - Vending machine (snacks)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Activities
- - Hiking
- - Beach
- - Stand-up comedy
Cleaning services
- - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

27 May 2026
Exceptional