House of Trestles - San Clemente, California

Heidi T.

This place is a hostel and comes with the typical hostel issues plus some California "bonuses." Our room was decent and had working a/c. Everything was old and pretty rundown, but we expected that. The problem was the random (homeless?) guy wandering the hallways, getting high on the couches outside our room and sleeping there. I think maybe he worked there and lived on the couches because he was walking around high or crashed out in plain view 24 hours a day. He was seriously creepy. The kitchen is communal and pretty well stocked for cooking. No complaints there. Parking is a real pain. It's on a busy main street and it's hard to find a spot. |We checked out after two nights because I had a feeling the strange, wandering man had keys to all the rooms since he appeared to work there. Also, He got high outside of our room and left his bong on the table for my kids to see. The hotel said they'd refund my money that I'd prepaid for the next night but they never did. I called and emailed them several time and no result. No one was on staff anywhere in this place unless it was the wandering guy who was in charge.

Clover T.

Great location, but this place really need to upgrade. Single pane Windows from the 50s still used , very noisy throughout the night. The room smell like bathroom. The bed sheets didn't smell like it has been washed since the last guest. I couldn't sleep the whole night. I was able to take a nap in my car after checked out. Definitely a 1.5 star hotel.

Jessica D.

I arrived at 17:00 and came through the front door (unlocked) and there was no one at reception. So anyone could walk in. Kitchen and bathrooms freely accessible. The rooms had keypads so thankfully those were locked. There was an email with a phone number to call for "virtual checkin" but the number didn't work and I never got a reply to my email for a room code. The place gave me super super bad vibes. It was dirty and the other guests freaked me out. Went to the Travellodge next door. They said that it happens literally all the time. Not sure why this place has good reviews.

Sam R.

Would stay anytime. He was super fiend, proffesrionsal as all. Ha sa ton of oorenrsol some guys are more abov😎 youknw

Sarah S.

I think the advertised photos are whats tripping people up on their reviews, they should show actual photos. Youre not getting a curtain bed but its a bunk. I came in with pretty low expectations but I found the place pretty adequate given the price. Could use a good deep clean but I thought the atmosphere was fun and the location is great.

In response to people upset about a staff member staying there Thats how a lot of hostels work...its called "work for stay"

Naomi A.

I was supposed to stay 2 nights but left after one. It was absolutely gross. The toilets didn’t flush, the shower had not been cleaned properly in weeks it looked like— it seemed like someone was living in my room and they had questionable stuff under the bed, like a bong and tin foil? Did NOT feel safe at all by myself as a woman in a mixed dorm room. 0/10 recommend.

marshall G.

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 I've 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.

Kelly L.

Had a private room for my husband and myself. Most of the other rooms consisted of bunk beds with several people to a room. The room was just ok. There was no door separating the toilet from the bed. Bed was comfortable enough, but the place was loud. One of the employees slept on site. He yelled at a guest late at night and was constantly vaping weed inside the building (supposedly blowing smoke out through a window). Check-in could not be done in person, but only by text and email. Guests who showed up after 7 were not able to check in and had to leave. As a hostel, maybe it's OK, but having a private room surrounded by shared rooms didn't work for us. The artwork is fun and the kitchen is fully stocked with cookware.