This is a great hostel. I have never been to one and I was more than satisfied with the stay. First, you are in downtown San Diego. A quick 2-minute walk to the heart of the Gaslamp District. The staff were awesome and answered my questions, and were extremely helpful anytime I needed it.
There are no cons here. Everything is exactly as is posted. Being in a downtown of a major American metropolitan city, you have to expect a few things. The area is safe, I did not at any time experienced anything that would make me think differently. You do have to be smart. I met some great people from around the world. A guy from Brazil, two buddies from Ireland, and a couple from the UK. It's like being in a college dorm again, only with mature people that aren't up all night partying and acting like college kids.
A few tips for anyone who may be entertaining the idea of a hostel as a first-timer. Buy bottled water. The kitchen is locked late at night and early morning, and if you want something to drink you will need to get it on your own. The bathrooms and showers are communal, so bring items accordingly. Shower shoes are something that you might want to consider. Bring a lock. The locker in the room will probably hold everything you need.
I recommend this for anyone traveling alone and where the amenities of a big hotel are not that important. Where else can you stay in downtown San Diego for this price? If you are with a group of friends looking for something different, this is the way to go.
Everyone was super nice and the hostess answered all my rookie emails promptly. Thank you for a great experience.