House of Trestles

There’s no better place to stay in San Clemente, CA; it’s minutes walk to the beach, with the best view of the sunset in Orange County. EVERYONE in the House is family, whether you’re a guest overnight or chose to stay a few days, it feels like coming home. The staff is friendly and an awesome display of the diversity that is OC. Thomas, Dave, Josh, and Leticia all cater to guests needs like brothers, fathers, and a mother.If you’re looking for the best hosteling experience with friends, the House of Trestles is where you have to stay.Book a surfing session!!!

Great place to stay. Very much on the budget and peaceful atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Nice shop enjoyed the sun out front on lawn chair while smokn a bowl

It was super clean, staff was amazing and friendly, and the beaches were stunning! Will be back with friends for sure! Thank you Chris and Rose for the help:)

Overall, House of Trestles was a pleasant stay. The bunks are roomy, with plenty of space for extra bags, water, or whatever you choose to keep up there with you. There are plenty of outlets which are USB - very convenient. It saved space, as I was able to have multiple devices plugged in at night. I kept my bags with me once I got back in the evening, then used the spacious lockable storage while I was gone during the day. Be sure to bring your own padlock if you want one. Each room also has an individual access code so there is an extra layer of security. The other guests in the room were very considerate of others. The restrooms were coed but this did not bother me as it was a respectful atmosphere. However, they could have been maintained a lot better. My main issue was that the staff were often difficult to locate. There is no front desk, no call number, and I spent some time looking for staff during checkout time, which after asking around I was told there was only one employee on duty and they had left the building completely. Besides that, I have few complaints - the staff were friendly and the building is artfully decorated.

Our bunk (Sky Room #Y) was super clean, had a very cool vibe, felt cozy (heater worked great for Cali winter)and safe and was perfect for our quick trip in for some surf. House of Trestles is a super eclectic hostel/hotel with a clean shared kitchen and living spaces. The Sky Rooms are totally private other than sharing 2 very closely located bathrooms. The restrooms were updated and kept pretty clean. My favorite part of our stay was the artwork throughout, our cute, and very clean room and comfy bed and the free community breakfast and delicious coffee. Thanks HOT. We will be back.

Staying in the House of Trestles has been an epic experience. The location is ideal -- close to the beaches, pier, shopping, and my favorite aspect, it is covered in art from around the world. All of the staff members have pleasant attitudes and the guests are family. I highly recommend to anyone traveling in the San Clemente area!

A great hostel with chill vibes. I cant wait to stay again. The location is so good.

My experience here was amazing, the vibe here is laid back & the atmosphere is welcoming! I’ve never encountered a place quite like House of Trestles. Thank you again for everything Thomas & crew.. I’ll be back!

Good place for a decent nights sleep at a great price. Options for shared dorm rooms or private digs. Interesting people from around the world and a laid-back California-cool vibe.

Fun place, great vibe, excellent staff (Especially Dave ),wonderful location and they will teach ya how to surf, but I wish they would keep the exconvicts out ( they create problems ). However, I cant wait to return and you will make great friends, guaranteed! Not to be missed!

This hostel is AMAZING. John at the front desk is such a fantastic human being. This is a cool place to visit even if youre walking by; it has a 90s surf/skate vibe inside : )

Trestles is an excellent experience on so many levels. The Owners..The Location... The Staff... Then you have the Guests... I am always talking about the people Ive met for weeks after a visit.

Easy booking, pp are down to earth at House of Trestles. For a price you cant beat!

Nothing like the pictures. The rooms have nothing in them. Feels like a nasty trap house

I had an awesome time! My bed was comfy, I had a great room, I don’t think I saw all the art, I needed more time. Everywhere I looked I saw another wonderful piece!! The people were wonderful. I only wish I was going to spend more time so I could enjoy the surfing in the area!

Upon arrival there was an initial mixup with booking but Josh went above and beyond to meet our needs. The Trestles Suite was amazing, so clean, accommodating and unique.

Such a wonderful art and surf vibe! People awesome! Wish I had more time to take it all in.

Very cool hostel, was able to work and play even with packed house. Wifi, stuff to do nearby and tons of art throughout it. Cool guys who run it, they stay there, you dont have to worry about security they stayed on top of it. They do yoga every morning with a breakfast + different activities from a chill tea time to parties in the hangout rooms(separate from sleeping people) and rented bikes and boards by day or week :)

Fun and friendly. I couldnt recommend any higher. Josh, Thomas, and the team were amazing hosts and were really helpful giving me all the info I needed and understanding San Clemente. If you are a surfer looking to explore the area, look no further.The room (The Loft) was amazing. Comfy, private, quiet, and could easily fit a group of people in on a road trip. For the price, it was amazing.Rent the electric bikes to get around! They are amazing!

Love this place! Would definitely recommend. Very friendly staff and guests. I felt safe enough to leave my belongings tucked into my cubby for the day unattended. Good vibes good kitchen good people

Had a great first time stay at House if Trestles. Super laid back. Everyone was friendly and respectful. Dorm bunk bed was awesome! Loved how they had curtains so it felt super private despite sharing a room with 8 strangers. Will stay again.

If you are looking for a quiet stay – thats not what you are going to find here. But if you are looking for a nice atmosphere with mostly surfing enthusiast and backpackers, this is the place to go.Stayed in a private room: Nice concept, with a loft area, loved the kitchen, a bit sandy - but ok. So many beaches to explore in vicinity its a dream. You can easily walk to the local beach. You can also rent bikes and surf equipment at the place.I wouldnt recommend it if it werent for the staff – really friendly and helpful.

They did A super job with providing Surfers from All over the World a very affordable place to Stay near some world class point breaks really fun Beach breaks they have a whole bunch of awesome Art Work all over the place it also has a gourmet kitchen and is kept very clean enjoy your stay and the classic Surf

Great staff! Positive vibes! Respectful! Clean!

My boyfriend and I stayed in the Gallery Suite at House Of Trestles, and we liked it so much that we ended up staying an extra night! Thomas was on staff while we were there, and he was really friendly and helpful with renting us a wet suit and boards. The Gallery Suite was clean & roomy, and we had our own kitchen, living room area, and bathroom in there. It was awesome.... it felt like being in a really cool apartment! It doesnt matter if you are a surfer or not, honestly. If you like surf culture, the beach, and cool art, then House Of Trestles is a great place for you. Everyone at House Of Trestles was respectful of everyone else and their space & belongings. It was a great experience, and San Clemente is a beautiful town! Highly recommend! :-)

This is a one of a kind hostel that makes you want to live here forever. The atmosphere is so awesome its indescribable! The owner and staff are very hands on and extremely on top of everything. Come with a chill attitude and eagerness to enjoy the beach/surfing. You will not be disappointed!

This place is sweet. Best spot to kick it for a surf trip. Everyone is friendly and laid back, def will be back again! Place was spotless and there are e-bikes/boards for rent right there in the hostile so everything was super convenient. Thanks again for the awesome time

Took my boyfriend to House of Trestles for his birthday! We stayed in the gallery suite and we were super happy with it. It was very clean and cozy and all the artwork was really cool! The whole vibe of House of Trestles is awesome and its a super unique place to stay at. We checked in late and it was easy to get in. In the morning they put up a happy birthday banner for my bf which was such a nice surprise!! Highly recommend staying here. Think you might have to ask for towels though as there were none in the bathroom.

Epic stay... This place has it all... Performance Surfboards, Wetsuits and Electric Bikes. Perfectly located for easy access to Trestles for a world class surf session. The rooms and living quarters are comfortable. The murals and art are amazing. The Staff is Friendly and Informative. What a great experience!

Although we only stayed 1 night out of a 7-day stay, the folks at House of Trestles were very welcoming with the check-in and understanding with our early departure. Hopefully we can use the unused nights at a later date.

I had a great experience. The manager was patient and thorough. The roomies were laidback and cool. The atmosphere is great and the location is the best. I would definitely recommend staying there and surfing. My highest compliment I can give is that I felt safe while there.

I had a great time, stayed 3 nights and enjoyed meeting everyone. This was a great and fun experience. Thanks for all the hospitality.

We stayed at the House of Trestles for a couple of days and it was amazing! We loved our room The Loft and the atmosphere there. Everyone was very friendly and helped us with everything. It is a really cool and artsy House with amazing people. I hope everyone is doing great!XX Johanna

So overall my stay was good, but the downside of staying in a shared bunk space is that sometimes people are loud or talking and it makes it hard to get to sleep. So because I had roommates check in late, or come home late from a bar, my sleep was continuously interrupted. I guess for $30 bucks its a good deal if you are willing to put up with a lot of noise.

My family and I spent two comfortable nights in a 6 person suite. My four kids range from 9 to 15 yrs in age and they had a great time hanging out with the HOT crew in the morning eating bagels and cream cheese with other guests. My wife and I enjoyed the primo coffee. During the day we hung out at Calafia State Beach, which is very close (~0.5 mile walk), clean, and equipped with showers and restrooms. The suite itself is dialed-in; it has everything you need to live, relax, and enjoy whatever you have planned. And, the staff are always on call to serve. The evenings are quite and the bedding is clean and comfy. We already booked for next year and that speaks for itself. If your heading to SC, check out HOT. Its well worth it. Peace.

Super chill vibes. Met some really cool people during my stay. Walking distance to the beach is definitely a plus. Awesome staff, especially Sarah and Thomas.

I forgot to hit send on this review from last year (sorry)!This place was incredible! The staff were super friendly and accommodating and made everyone feel super welcome! Spending time with everyone else really made the experience worth it. Everyone had become close friends by the end of my 5 day stay, including the staff. They have everything you need or could ask for, and the place was very clean. Breakfast with the whole house early in the morning, and bike rides or walks in the afternoon. It was my first hostel experience, and one that Ill never forget! Cant wait to come thru town again and book another stay!

By far my favorite hotel I have ever stayed in. The staff is extraordinary and go above and beyond to ensure that our stay was perfect.

Uau- what a spot.I planned to stay for a night and I have been here for 5 nights now, honestly, it is too hard to leave.The hostel has the best vibe ever, with the most awesome people- and the surf just across the street is magical.Could not recommend this place enough, you gotta check it out to understand how cool it really is.Thank you guys, stoked to be here

The first and best hostel in San Clemente, minutes away from many world class waves. This hostel provides you with everything you might need to get some of the best surf of your life. Eat, sleep, surf. Then lather, rinse, and repeat.

The first time I came here, I was on a road trip and looking for a quick place to crash. I fell in love with this place. Ive stayed at a number of hostels and the House of Trestles is by far the best one Ive stayed at so far. The staff was warm and friendly, and each bunk has a curtain to make things more private. Its nice and quiet, while also being conveniently located close to the 5 freeway and some nice restaurants. When I was doing a motorcycle road trip a month later, I didnt hesitate to come back again. A+

This hostel does not deserve 5 stars at all. The rooms are dirty, clearly not cleaned frequently, and the staff made a mistake so they billed me 2 nights instead of one. Not recommended.

Great place for surfers and chill travelers. Cool vibe and everyone there is friendly and helpful. Delicious vegan breakfast. They even offer yoga in the mornings. Clean and friendly big dog on the premises. The art is also something to check out. I recommend driving to Trestles or renting one of their bikes as it is a long walk. Josh and company are excellent hosts.

The place is very special. the staff are great, easygoing people- they care so much and will do everything they can for you. the place is more than what you will expect from dormitories- its clean, everything works, people are so nice and its safe. showers and toilets are clean, the kitchen is well equipped and very nice to cook in. thats my spot in San clemente from now on. I loved it and Ill be coming back. thank you John, David and Thomas.

Staff of awesome and welcoming. They make you feel like you’re at home. Guests are super chill. Awesome board selection and local advice on where to go out. I just wish I found out about it sooner!

THE PLACE TO BE IN SAN CLEMENTE! House of Trestles could possibly be the best hostel I have ever stayed in. It is brand spanking new and already super f-ing awesome. They have local artists paint basically the whole place, then they do it again after every few months. The sponsored rooms are amazing! I got lucky and got in the VIssla room, I am a big fan of Vissla and how they have conducted business within the surf industry, plus their clothes are cool. I digress...the room was clean as hell, they have memory foam bed, plenty of privacy, and clean and comfy sheets! The hang out areas are chill and comfortable for all types of chillers, the kitchen is fully stocked and really big for plenty of chefs. But besides the amazing location to some of Southern Californias best surf (for all skill levels) the best part of H.o.T. is the people. Josh and Addison are absolute legends that have been destined from the surf gods to run a surf hostel and the prophecy has been fulfilled! Seriously though, these guys rock, thats for a great time, Ill see ya next summer, pura vida, cheers...Tom

It was amazing place to stay. Friendly staff, nice neighbors, good management, amazing art walls... We will plan to stay again in the future. Thank you!

This place is a surf Dormaitory. Built for surfers by surfers. If you love the surfing environment then this place is for you!

Awesome concept executed perfectly. Management/staff is the best of any lodging facility Ive ever visited. Exceptional bedding, family vibe, secure. Great location away from anything gimicky or too touristy; authentic. Not far from the namesake beach and other coastal access points. This is the place.

This place, and particularly John the GM, is incredible. So helpful, communicative, and kind. If you want a genuine experience, look no further (plus its affordable).And big thanks to John for helping me look for my wallet!

My boyfriend and I came down in mid-December for a night, during our surf trip, and we both agreed this place made our trip! Jon was super friendly and chill, and right away the vibe of the whole place was the same. The mini half pipe had some boards for guests and when its time to be a little quieter, there are games to play. We will definitely be back!

Seriously the best hostel to stay in, the environment is friendly and inviting. The staff is helpful and fun!

Great group of people that manage the House of Trestles! Everyone in the house was cool and they had great advice for a traveling surfer. They were very flexible as I changed my reservation.Within walking and/or biking distance to Trestles surf. Food/bars within walking or a short drive. Would highly recommend it! Thanks again!

Location, location and location. The area is filled with fun things to do.

I came across this place and thought Id give it one night. I stayed for a week. Everyone one from the owners to the other guest were awesome!Dont hesitate for a second if you have any doubt about fitting in you will. Surfer, hiker, biker, young or old doesnt matter youll end up calling this place home and the people you meet family.Pinwheel PCT 2019

Amazing hostel!!! I highly recommend staying here, very clean very organized. The staff here is incredible very hard workers and very nice people.

This place is as unique as the incredible guests and staff you will meet while you stay there. I stayed at the House of Trestles because I was in San Clemente for work--I enjoyed it so much I booked another night to really soak in the experience--and during my stay it was awesome meeting so many people: world travelers, locals, dreamers, artists, and everything in between and outside of. Not to mention the price of a nights stay for being so close to the beach is incredible. The house is a masterpeice of street art from artists around the world, some of the murals are so powerful you might not expect to see it in a hostel, but thinking about it I couldnt picture a more perfect place. I went into the House of Trestles with no expectations, and came out with a life experience Ill not soon forget and definitely want more of.

Great service, clean and good included breakfast. Definitely recommended!

Such an unreal place ! Thomas who runs the show is an awesome human and made me feel like family immediately. Family atmosphere with good peeps, made new friends for life ! Free bagels and killer Bear Coast coffee every morning !!! Recomend this place highly !

Great place to stay and awesome location. Everyone was super friendly. Jonathan was wonderful and very helpful!

Great place and great vibe

Just for leisure. The place is close to the beach - nice location. People working there are very friendly. They remember your name, and are willing to give help at anytime. Guests there are also fine. They are quiet and friendly as well. Will definitely go back there for another stay.

Great place. Fun people. Excellent art, wonderful and awesome staff.

From before my stay here, everyone was super chilled and professional. When I arrived in San Clemente, Addison came to pick me up from the train station, Jonathan was awesome, a fellow punk rock fan, Jonathan showed me around, gave me all the information I needed for a comfortable stay. Everyone there from all over the world was super friendly and welcoming, from the minute I arrived I felt like I was part of a family vibe. The bed was perfectly set up, not small, storage locker was bigger than any other hostel Ive ever stayed at. Bathrooms were clean. Overall so far my stay here has been super chill and comfortable. I definitely recommend that you stay here, very close to the beach. The best part of the place is the artwork inside and outside. Thanks guys for an awesome stay. I would actually live here.If you skate, they have a small full pike inside.

Easily the best hostel Ive stayed in. Extremely friendly and welcoming. Amazing kitchen. Great security. Clean beds. Owner does his best to make sure everyone from young surfers to families can enjoy their stay with well enforced quiet hours and booting the trouble makers when necessary. If I make it back to the area Im definitely staying here again. Thanks!

Great place to stay with awesome vibes and friendly people.

Laid back environment with lots of cool people staying there! Thomas and john are great hosts!

I really enjoyed my stay here. No complaints here. I liked every dynamics of this place from the price, to the art, amenities, location, and staff. This place had a very welcoming vibe, as if you were staying at a friends house. Definitely check this place out.Peace Out

Surf hostel was very cosy nice bif kitchen with everything you need.

The people at The House of Trestles were amazing! Everyone made me feel like family. The place is great! It’s clean, comfortable and cozy! They deserve all the prosperity and abundance that comes their way due to their awesome energy!

I booked in last minute alone when my LA accommodation fell through, and I couldnt have been happier with my stay! The owner and staff were SUPER helpful and friendly. Facilities were fantastic - with a private shower for females, bicycles for rent, cheap surfboard wax, surfing advice.... They even have free good quality coffee and fruit and bagles in the morning. I dont usually stay in hostels anymore, but I will definitely be coming back to House of Trestles. Thanks for a great stay guys!

Such an eclectic array of art and people. Great vibes, great coffee, and great staff always willing to accommodate. From now on I will always stay here when in the area

Atmosphere was great, good quaint breakfast, loved the mini ramp but if you don’t like skating u can bike or surf by renting from them. Location is great!, close to the beach and also close to a bunch of nice restaurants

Stopped here for a day... ended up staying for almost a month. This is my new home away from home. Great staff and excellent hospitality.

Perfect, chilled, surfers kind of hangout with good people around and a relaxing atmosphere. Will be back for sure!

It was Just the best place to stay, you can go trestles by bike. I feel like in home! Just good people and safe place! The kitchen is professional, the beds are Very Nice with privacity and the place is beautiful with arts everywhere! Inspires the surf!

I enjoyed my stay and would recommend to other travelers. Good friendly vibes and all the staff are helpful and made you feel at home. Will definitely come again!

House of Trestles was awesome! Cool artwork and vibe. The acrobatic yoga was fun to watch. Lowers is about a 2 mile bike ride away. Met some international surfers staying there. Overall great place to stay!

Updating my prior review. Robert has been going out of his way to help refund me for a booking I made in error. Hostels are always a great way to travel over costly hotels.

I have to say that from the moment I checked in, I was very pleased. House of Tresles is very laid back, has everything there that you can ask for. I felt very secured, and at home. Highly recommended for anyone traveling, needing a place to stay for a while, or for whatever reason, this place is awesome! The staff who I encountered did an outstanding job in both ensuring the sense of security, and cleanliness. I will defiantly be back and recommend to others.

Since I Almost never review any businesses, hopefully thatll give you an idea of how strongly I was impacted. I made a reservation to stay 3 nights and instead of paying just this reservation deposit I decided to pay the balance for all 3 nights. I arrived and was prompted to sit across from one employee who made no effort to conceal his nipples which were exposed by the all to small tank top that he wore. After a few minutes of small talk, I waited for him to show me where i would be staying. Instead I was told that he would Illd be referring me to a different non affiliated hotel. When i asked why i was told I wouldnt be a good fit & this was what his boss had directed him to do. I did happen to realize that his alternative lodging suggestion had conveniently come after I politely declined the surf lesson & board rental. I would STRONGLY SUGGEST staying anywhere but here. Seems like the staff has a secret personal screener that really was him profiling me... well hope that helps, good luck!

Awesome place to stay. The crew and Josh are amazing and you feel like visitng friends. The entire building and the interior is so nice. I love the art and it feels so good to stay here. Everything is clean and the guys are always willing to make your stay even better. Rent a surf board and have a good time!

I was greeted by the employees upon arriving. Very friendly staff.

Awesome place to stay! Owner is a legend, super helpful and makes you feel at home. Only a short 20 minute walk to Trestles along the beach, or 10 minutes to the main beach. Rooms are really comfortable and each bed has its own curtain which I really liked. Can definitely recommend!

My brother and I found this place online while trying to get to the Ohana festival in the last few days. Super relaxed place, had a great time and it had an awesome feeling of welcome. l actually left my wallet there when i left and contacted the owners on my way home, they promptly returned my property to me. I could not have been more happy with the way my weekend went. I have never stayed in a hostel before and was not sure what to expect. The artwork and overall environment was amazing, clean, comfy, absolutely a great place to stay. if there were more stars i would give them all. thank you again for everything and i hope to see you the next chance i get. Keep up the good vibes and best of luck.

House of trestles was an amazing experience. The guys there take care of everyone and are so kind. I felt like I met new friends. I would recommend this place for anyone.

If only I could give these guys more than 5 stars....honestly cant say enough about them. For a rambling man, its a world ridden with motels that are wanting of any sense of home and often managed by employees that do well to match that sense of detatchment. Especially in Southern California.These experiences are what makes it inexplicably refreshing to come across this gem. Location is wonderful, just a short walk from the beach with an awesome bike rental shop right next door...you can easily get to where you want to go. But the facilities themselves are a vacation: beautiful artwork covers the wallspace of every room, expressing a form that is uniquely identifiable with the culture of the southwest coast. The staff (namely John, Tommy, Collin, and Dave) were extremely accomodating and friendly, providing service that was so genuine you couldnt help but call it family-like.Even late at night when I was one of the few still awake in the living room, I observed the graveyard shift worker Collin hustling silently to clean every inch of the facility and hospitably dealing with a very difficult customer at midnight. Despite her disrespectful manners, he did his best to help her facilitate reservations never once letting her get under his skin...I dont think I could have managed it. Kudos.All the best till next time. I will definitely find my way back here someday.

My first solo hostel stay & I lucked out! Super chilled environment, the staff and other guest all totally fitted the vibe. So easy to hang out in the lounge and a bunch of us even went for a last minute bonfire on the beach one night. The Location is perfect, about a 15 minute walk from the beach and a 15minute cycle into town (dont cycle to the beach.. the hills are unreal) The beds were really comfy, everywhere was kept very clean & you felt very safe. They always had fruit, bagels and coffee in the morning which was a great touch :) There was also great yoga classes regually. I highly highly recommend this place to stay if visiting San Clemente :) can I come back now?!

A bit hippie but nice. The dog the wonders around can be a problem for people that dont like dogs like my friend. The service was very nice and sweet.

House of Trestles is a hostel, not a hotel. The staff was friendly and laid back. Check-in was a breeze and you are provided with everything you need for your stay, Also surf lessons can be scheduled if you are wanting to learn. Would come back and stay once more.

Two star hotel? This place is 5 star awesome!

Best hostel I’ve stayed in. Everything clean. Everyone friendly. Plus all the artwork and the entire atmosphere is awesome. The whole thing was a very unique experience. Absolutely recommend.

I had planned to stay only one day but actually ended up staying for 4! Literally everyone there is very accommodating and friendly and the place is SUPER clean! The staff does a great job of making you feel comfortable and happy. Will gladly stay there again soon! Thank you guys!

I stayed for a week in June to go surfing in San Clemente. The owner/manager was really friendly and went out of his way to drive me and other guests without a car to San Onofre, and surfed with us!

Friendly people from many places of the world. Relaxed and casual setting. I found it hard to leave, but definitely going back. If you appreciate good times over luxury, you better be booking right now!

This is the go to spot. As a guest you get to enjoy the cool street art thats all around the house, morning yoga as a first drop in is free & coffee and bagels in the morning are provided. Trestles is close to beaches, also the house provides surfing lessons for people who are interested (the prices are affordable..as a traveler I probably wouldnt have been able to afford this experience if it wasnt for Trestles). Getting to talk to all the travelers and the welcoming staff was my favorite part of my stay here. You have your own private bunk with a curtain, nightlight with USB ports and get your own assigned locker space (bring your own lock or buy one here). Over all, Josh and the staff are great hosts, defiantly coming back to say hello to the friends I made during my stay.

The house of trestles was a home away from home. 13 of us in our family went and were treated like family. It was way better than a hotel and cant wait to return.

Great place to stay and close to Trestles! Everybody in the hostel was so friendly and welcoming. The fact that they have brand new Lost boards for renting is awesome and much better than flying with my boards and pay to check them!

Very affordable, felt safe, everyone was friendly, from the guests to the staff. I got there late and they still checked me in, bonus was it was very affordable and had a continental breakfast included. Thank you Justin for your hospitality.