Room choices vary from doubles to six bed dorm rooms. Winter rates run slightly lower than summer with a six bed dorm room running 16 dollars US a night; cheaper still if you plan to stay weekly or monthly. They do accept credit cards.

The kitchen is clean, as are the toilets, and the staff is friendly. You get free breakfast. When I stayed, they laid out bread, butter, and eggs for self-service. (Sundays are free champagne breakfasts.) They provide free sheets for the bed, free BBQs, free transfer to the airport, free coffee, and free laundry powder. (Hey, anything free is money saved!)

The atmosphere fits right into Ocean Beach ,with its laid-back feel. This hostel is two blocks from the beach, and they even arrange trips to Mexico (for those perhaps too timid to go alone!).