San Diego

Where to stay

Most hostels cluster in Pacific Beach, within walking distance of the beach and along Garnet Avenue where food and bars are cheap and plentiful. Ocean Beach, centered on Newport Avenue, tends to run a few dollars cheaper per night and has a slower pace if you want less noise.

Getting around

• The MTS Blue Line trolley runs from downtown all the way to San Ysidro at the US-Mexico border for a couple of dollars each way. A day trip to Tijuana for lunch costs almost nothing and the crossing on foot is straightforward.
• Balboa Park's grounds and outdoor spaces are free to walk any day. Save the paid museum entry for a day when you need a break from sun, and check each museum's website for their individual free-admission days before paying at the door.
• Avoid renting a car unless you are leaving the city entirely. Parking near the beach neighborhoods is a constant frustration and a daily expense. The trolley and local buses cover most of what budget travelers actually need.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest in January and February, while July and August fill up fast, with mid-July especially tight due to Comic-Con drawing tens of thousands of people to the convention center downtown.