Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
With its sheer spirit, beauty, and liberty, many gay travelers treat Los Angeles as their go-to city to explore. Being home to a lot of gay scenes and hot spots, you will surely have fun sightseeing around the entertainment capital of the world!
Wherever you go, you will always see enticing attractions which are worth exploring in Los Angeles. There are a lot of things to see here: from world-class restaurants to state-of-the-art galleries, there will always be something for you to visit.
There are a lot of luxurious hotels in the city. However, if you are budget-conscious, there are a lot of gay hostels in Los Angeles as alternatives. These hostels are bright and passionate. They scream at the vibrant energy which Los Angeles – and popular nearby Long Beach – exudes. These hostels also reflect the gay culture, which the city is proud of.
After checking in on one of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles, it’s time to visit the usual attractions and gay hotspots around the city. There are the Griffith Observatory and the Santa Monica Pier for first-timers in Los Angeles. If you want to immerse yourself in the rich gay culture of the city, you could visit the WeHo Boystown gaybourhood, which has a rather raucous Hamburger Mary’s and has provided a setting for so many of our favorite LGBT TV shows.
It is safe to say that you could live your absolute best life when you visit the city. Indeed, Los Angeles is one of the best gay-friendly travel destinations in the world, and you are likely to leave here more exhausted than when you arrived. In fact, using the luxurious Priority Pass airport lounge access at LAX is likely to be the most relaxing moment of your entire trip!
Therefore, let us not waste your time any further. Choose a place to sleep in after coursing through the vibrant city of Los Angeles. On this list, we are going to describe the best gay hostels in Los Angeles so you can save money while still enjoying your travel.
To be clear, however, there are no exclusively gay hostels here – everyone is always welcome to stay. These are just the most gay-popular and gay-welcoming. Gay, straight or unicorn…Love is love, right?
In this article we will cover...
Freehand Los Angeles
One of the most fabulous gay hostels in Los Angeles is Freehand Los Angeles. This one-of-a-kind hostel features premium hotel services, allowing you to gain memorable experiences during your stay. This hip hotel is near Staples Center, a sports and events center, and the Los Angeles Convention Centre where RuPaul’s DragCon is held! The hostel stands on a 1924 building, so it is a little vintage outside. But if you enter the hotel, you will surely transport to another dimension since the rooms are funky.
You could choose between mixed and female-only dorms, which could accommodate up to eight guests. These dorms come with bunk beds, privacy screens, lockers, and free Wi-Fi. En-suite bathrooms are provided. But if you want a little privacy, you could opt for private rooms which offer sitting areas and flat-screen televisions. If you still have an extra budget, you could opt for the hotel’s suites which add separating living.
Room service is available at Freehand Los Angeles. Its staff will be ready to give you a hand whenever you need something. Aside from that, you could also enjoy other perks as well. These free continental breakfast and coin-operated laundry facilities. What makes Freehand Los Angeles one of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles are its amenities. These include a chic cocktail bar and a TV lounge, a modern American/Israeli restaurant, a buzzy bar, and a rooftop pool.
With all the features and amenities which Freehand Los Angeles offers, you will surely have a lot of fun staying here.
HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica
Of course, HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica is also a great choice for you if you’re looking for the best gay hostels in Los Angeles. You could literally live the California dream when you stay in this colorful hostel.
This is because it is near stunning attractions such as the famous Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. In addition to this, HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica is also near gay scenes where you could mingle with new friends. The staff of the hostel will help you make the most of your time exploring Los Angeles, with walking tours and pub crawls, among others.
Let’s not forget that its rooms are functional. The dorms include bunk beds, shared bathrooms, and lockers. You could also avail of private rooms if you want. When you stay at HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica, you can enjoy amenities such as a lounge, a shared kitchen, and a game room. Other perks include free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
USA Hostels Hollywood
USA Hostels Hollywood is a top-rated hostel in Los Angeles that adapts well to the needs of guests. Since it is found at the heart of the entertainment district, you could easily explore Kodak Theater, Walk of Fame, and much more! There is always something you could do within the area. Since you would always have something to do here, we’ve added USA Hostels Hollywood as one of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles.
The rooms are colorful, with compact dorms which could accommodate up to eight people. These dorms have lockers, reading lights, free Wi-Fi, and en suite bathrooms. You could also avail of private rooms which have minifridges and flat-screen televisions.
Of course, its location and its rooms are not the only reasons why we think that USA Hostels Hollywood is one of the most fabulous gay hostels in Los Angeles. Its amenities are worthy of mentioning as well. These include a free shuttle to Santa Monica and Venice beaches, a communal kitchen, a comfy lounge, and a garden patio.
Orange Drive Hostel
The Orange Drive Hostel is one of the most accessible gay hostels in Los Angeles for major Hollywood events. This is because it is near places where premiers and gala events are being held. But that’s not all there is about this hostel. What sets it apart from other gay hostels in Los Angeles is its relaxing atmosphere. Everything about it is cozy: from its rooms to its lounges.
The dorms feature bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Private rooms, on the other hand, offer either en suite or shared facilities. Some of the rooms are furnished with oriental rugs, French doors, and antique furnishings. You and your friends or families will surely enjoy your stay here.
The amenities are also worth noting. These include a communal kitchen, an outdoor patio where you could grill while mingling with other guests, and a movie lounge with a flat-screen television.
As its name suggests, the goal of PodShare Venice Beach is to share pods across the world. They believe that breaking walls down could bring people together. In addition to this, you would stay in a more affordable space considering that housing in Los Angeles is rather expensive.
For travelers, you could pay one nightly or weekly. But if you plan on staying longer, you could pay the monthly rate. There are no security deposits, maintenance, or other fees. This gives you the chance to enjoy exploring Los Angeles while saving money.
The dorms of this capsule hostel are sleek, with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Other facilities include two kitchens and a yard where you could interact with other lodgers.
Banana Bungalow West Hollywood
Banana Bungalow West Hollywood provides budget gay travelers with a safe and clean hostel with a socially interactive ambiance. This hostel is incredibly popular because they offer travelers what they are looking for fun!
Of course, Banana Bungalow West Hollywood is known for its great vibe and atmosphere, cool rooms, multiple common spaces, and supportive staff. Moreover, it is one of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles, where you can mingle with new friends who also stay in this hip hostel.
The hostel offers mixed dorms, which could accommodate up to 16 people. These dorms offer personal lockers and bathrooms, either shared or en suite. You could also avail of private rooms with en suite bathrooms, some of which have balconies.
Banana Bungalow West Hollywood offers amenities include a movie room, a kitchen, a sidewalk patio, and laundry facilities. It is also home to a courtyard where regular events take place.
Melrose Hostel
Found at the heart of Los Angeles, Melrose Hostel is near popular tourist attractions such as Universal Studios and Thai Town, among others. The design of this hostel is distinct, with understated decor to complement the facilities which it offers. The people behind Melrose Hostel prioritize the comfort and safety of the guests.
The rooms are bright and dainty. You could choose between mixed-gender and single-sex dorms, depending on your preferences. Each of these dorm rooms offers complimentary Wi-Fi and lockers. The bathrooms are shared.
Being one of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles, Melrose Hostel provides amenities and perks which could make your stay worthwhile. These include a colorful dining area where you could avail of your free continental breakfast, a TV lounge, and a guest computer.
To complete our list of the best gay hostels in Los Angeles, we added PodShare Los Feliz. This trendy co-living space features 10 pods in an industrial loft-style space. It is adjacent to a variety of gay hotspots where you could meet new friends.
Similar to PodShare Venice Beach, this hostel would allow you to pay one nightly or weekly. If you ever plan on exploring Los Angeles more, you could pay the monthly rate. There are no maintenance, security deposits, or other fees. This gives you the chance to enjoy exploring Los Angeles while saving money.
Similarly, the dorms of this capsule hostel are sleek, with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Other facilities include two kitchens and a yard where you could socialize with other guests.
