FAQs, FAQs and MORE FAQs
check in / check out
Check in Time – 3 pm but guests are welcome to arrive as early as 8 am to drop off their luggage.
Early Check In - If your room is ready when you arrive we are happy to check you right in. If it's not you can just drop your bags in our locked luggage storage and get on with your day.
Late Check In - We can arrange for self check in if you arrive after reception closes. Just contact us in advance and we'll send you the details on the day of arrival.
Check out Time – 11 am. However guests are allowed in the building until 6 pm and we are happy to store their luggage until then as well.
Check out B4 reception opens– Just bring down your sheets , pillowcase and bed tag (if you are in a dorm) and place them in the bins in front of reception. Then just drop your key in the box at reception and you are good to go!
Late Check Out- We're happy to accommodate a late check out when we can. The most accurate way to provide you an answer is for you to stop by reception the day before your departure and ask for a late check out.
DIRECTIONS
Airport – Hop on the 992 bus at the airport. Get off at the Broadway and 6th Street stop. Walk back one block to 5th Avenue, cross the street and turn left. Once you pass F Street keep looking to your right. We are the purple door just past the Asti restaurant at 726 5th Avenue. If you walk all the way to Whiskey Girl then you have passed us.
The current cost of the bus is $2.50 and you must have exact fare.
Bus Depot- It's about a 20 minute walk. We do not recommend walking from this location at night. Walk south on 13th Street and turn right to 11th Avenue. Follow that to 5th Avenue and turn right. Once you pass F Street look to your left for our entry. We are between the Asti and Panevino restaurants.
Car – Please click on our Contact page and on the map is a link to directions.
Train Station - Be sure to get off the Surfliner at the Santa Fe Depot (not Old Town). It's a 15 minute walk. Exit onto Kettner Blvd and turn right heading to Broadway. Turn left on Broadway and walk to 5th Avenue. Turn right onto 5th Avenue and walk down to us at 726. We are between the Asti and Panevino restaurants. Our logo is on our mat and our door.
cancellation policies
If you book directly with us and choose the pay on arrival option you generally can cancel without any charges until 3 pm California time, the day prior to arrival. After that one day's cancellation fee for each bed reserved will be charged.
Pre-paid bookings made on our site are non-refundable.
If you book on a third party site cancellation policies may vary for both pre-paid and pay on arrival bookings. Please check on those sites for details.
Group Bookings - please contact us directly for policies.
SPECIAL CANCELLATION POLICY: Each year we have a 30-day cancellation policy in relation to Comic Con week. Reservations due to check in during Comic Con week must be cancelled 30 days in advance to avoid being charged for the ENTIRE reservation. That week varies each year so be sure to check your confirmation details for the dates.
parking
Like many businesses in the Gaslamp Quarter, we do not have our own parking facility, but we do have some suggestions:
* Rent a parking pass from us – $20 per night or $110 per week, you’ll get parking in a monitored garage just 1 1/2 blocks away and have 24 hour in-and-out privileges.
* Park It on Market. You can enter from 6th or 7th Avenues. $1 per hour from 3 am to 6 pm. $5 from 6 pm to 3 am Mon-Thurs. $10 on Friday-Sunday. Each time you leave, you pay.
Higher pricing during special events.
* ABN Parking at Horton Plaza. 8 pm to 5 am Sunday – Wednesday is $10, Thursday – Saturday $20. Then $2 per every 15 minutes or part thereof. Daily maximum is $48. Higher pricing during special events.
* Metered street parking is for 2 hour shifts only. Most meters are free after 8 pm until 8 am but be SURE to check on the meter or street sign. All meters are free on Sundays.
* Non metered street parking can be found but you'll be about a 10-minute walk away.
* Parking is allowed at a YELLOW curb from 6 pm to 6 am and all day Sunday. (just check for any signs disputing this)
NEVER PARK AT A RED, WHITE OR BLUE CURB – you may be towed or get a hefty fine.
dorm / bed preference
Top/Bottom Bunk – Our staff will do their best to accommodate your request, but due to booking patterns and changing occupancy, we cannot guarantee our guests the bed preference of their choice. We recommend arriving early in the day to have the best chance of getting your preference.
Light Sleepers - We have some rooms off the main street at the back of the building that are generally very quiet, though we can't guarantee a roommate might not snore! Also, all our 4-bed dorms are interior rooms ensuring no street noise.
everything else
Bike Storage - We can lock bikes in our luggage storage based on availability. Access is limited to reception hours only. Bikes may also be stored in the back hallway but it is not a secure area, so locking the wheels together is best. Guests with a private room can keep the bike in their room.
Lockers - Yes, we have lockers in all dorm rooms and they measure 15 inches wide x 15 inches deep x 42 inches high / 38.1x38.1x104 cm. They have outlets inside so you can securely charge electronics. You'll need a full sized lock or you can buy one from us at reception for $5.
Mail - We are happy to accept mail and packages for guests, but please keep in mind we do not take responsibility for them. We also do not hold mail after a guest leaves - all mail is returned to the post office.
Please address mail/packages as shown below:
Gaslamp Hostel
726 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
HOLD FOR ARRIVAL (guest name) (guest arrival date)
Mobility Issues - We are in a historic building on top of two restaurants, so we do not have an elevator. It is 27 steps up to our reception and another 24 to our top floor. We are not the best choice for guests who cannot easily climb a lot of stairs or a bunk bed ladder.
Smoking/Vaping - In accordance with California law, our property only has non-smoking rooms. Smoking is also not permitted by law within 25 feet of the entrance,