A little info. www.booking.com and www.maribelsguides.com

We were very satisfied with Hotel Alameda in SS.(Oct.2011) On a ped. street, walking distance to everywhere and way less than $100. Very helpful owners, quiet, clean and as I said very convenient!! SS will an awesome visit. Don't miss the walk along the water front(beach) to comb of the wind. And check out any of the beautifully presented and inexpensive pintxos.

BTW timing looks good. Don't wait too long for resv. as I believe there will be a festival in SS about this time. Look well at Maribel's suggestions.

We loved Maribel's guides and used them a lot as we travelled in that area. You can do day trips along the coast to several of the small fishing villages such as Getaria, Motriko, Lekeitio. Its also nice to go inland up in the hills and explore the villages there.

Thanks for the advice maribels guide looks very helpful. Hotel alameda looks nice. I appreciate the help.

Do you guys think 4 nights in each city is right or should I do 3 and 5.

Thanks again.

We really enjoyed our day trip to Hondarrabia from SS when there lat May, and Pamplona was another highlight. Both were easy trips.

The Bilbao airport is very small and only takes about 20 minutes to get thereb by taxi from the city. We found a really lively nightlife there, with Families and friends spilling out into the street, visiting and having a fun time. I think it would be worth it to get up a teeny bit earlier for your flight to experience a little more of Bilbao.

If you click on my name you can find my trip reports from visits to San Sebastian and Bilbao in May 2011 and 2012.

As already recommended by jmct714, you might find spending at least two nights in Bilbao well worth the time.

You'll need at least 4 nights in Barcelona just to get your bearings and with such a short amount of time left for SS, about the only "day trip" I would recommend is to head for Hondarribia. It will be very busy in early September, but you should be able to enjoy the day and some of its award winning pintxos. You'll need the rest of your time to try and enjoy Donostia.

If you're looking for a restaurant to sit down for lunch or dinner in either Barcelona, SS or Hondarribia, be sure to make reservations ahead of time. You'll need them at even the non-Michelin starred restaurants during the busy summer months.

We really liked Hotel Codina. Approx. a 30 minute walk along the beach to old town in San Sebastian. For a day trip Hondaribbia is great. If you go take the short boat ride to Hendaye in France.

Another high recommendation for www.maribelsguides.com. She really knows Spain well; we booked our Barcelona and Basque region hotels from her recommendations.Easy to print out her regional and city guides to take along.
San Sebastian day trip:
Hondarribia is wonderful, an upper medieval town and a lower Fisherman's Marina section. Take the little ferry across the river to France.
The French Basque villages(Pays Basque) are charming..Ainhoa, Espellette, etc. Again see Maribel's guides..

Thanks for the suggestion of Hondarribia looks interesting for a day trip. Thanks for the tip on reservations too i like the idea of a boat ride. I think we will stay in the city in Bilbao

At the end of Aug. I would do 3 in Barcelona and 5 in San Sebastian. When the sun is out in San Sebastian it is a special place (if you love the ocean). At that time of year you have as good a chance as any to have at least 2 or 3 sunny days. We did the same trip 2 years ago. At the time I wished we had skipped Barcelona and spent the whole time in San Sebastian. Barcelona was extremely hot and the beach wasn't so nice. (My wife preferred Barcelona though, everyone is different.) Looking back my memories of Barcelona get better with age. So I think you can't go wrong with 4 and 4, or 3 and 5. Would be best to have 9 nights, 4 in Bcn and 5 in SS.

All about going for the world famous pintxos in San Sebastián, with suggested routes etc: http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

You'll be up for an affordable gourmet experience and lots of fun (each pintxo would be some 2-3€). Also try out some of the places in the Gros district across the city river Urumea. Here you'll find some of the finest and most atmospheric pintxos bars. Bar Bergara is an institution in town. The owner, Patxi Bergrara, started the Basque food revolution back in the 80's with, among others, Juan Mari Arzak, one of the most famous chefs since those days and owner of much and rightfully praised Arzak.

Had the meal of my life in one of the seafood restaurants down in the harbour in close by Getaria. Something like this: http://thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/elkano-in-getar.html

I can also highly recommend San Juan/Donibane for a great seafood lunch in a local atmosphere. Several great waterfront restaurants with bargain offers for the menu del día. I use to take first time visitors to the area here for lunch. Also possible to walk to San Juan/Donibane from San Sebastián/Donostia along the stunning coastline in some two-three hours:
http://www.euroresidentes.com/euroresiuk/Spanish_villages/san-juan.htm

You should also note that Euskal Jaiak, a week long festivities celebrating Basque culture, is going on in San Sebastián in early September. Could be great fun, but be prepared: http://www.lacunza.com/events/euskal-jaiak.php

The week starts with cider day on the first Saturday in the month when free cider and food are handed out in the atmospheric Plaza de la Constitución in the middle of the Parte vieja/Old town.

Revulgo posted this earlier about this week of festivities:

"Sagardo Eguna, or cider day --free samples of cider are given in the plaza-- will be celebrated on the first Saturday of September marking the start of a week dedicated to Basque culture known as Euskal Jaiak. Throughout the week there will be various activities organized to showcase the traditions this ancient civilization. There will be local sport exhibitions such as the row boat races, stone lifting and tree trunk cutting. Open air concerts featuring Basque music, traditional dance troupes, local craftsmen demonstrating their time tested techniques and the famous "bersolaris" (oral poets who improvise) are all part of the week long festivities".

Have a great stay in my favourite city on the planet, and - according to the world's leading chef the past decade or so, Ferran Adria - the best place to eat in the world "in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into". http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/mar/13/foodanddrink.shopping2

In Barcelona, I use to stay in great value Hostal Orleans (with ensuite bathroom, tv, safe, heater, aircondition and 24h desk) in the vibrant El Born district close to everything. Ten minutes to both central Plaza Catalunya, Las Ramblas and the beach. Expect some 70€ for a double in September.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-orleans.en.html
http://www.hostalorleans.com/

The area: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/areas/el-born.html

Plenty of great tapas/pintxos bars on your doorstep. These are some suggestions: Fabulous Basque pintxos at Txakolín 50 meters down the street in number 19 and in Euskal Etxea 200 meters behind the Hostal. El Xampanyet and Cal Pep are among the other excellent - and very different - tapas bar options in the area.
Xampanyet: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d697571-Reviews-El_Xampanyet-Barcelona_Catalonia.html
Cal Pep: http://eatlikeagirl.com/2011/05/06/barcelona-lunch-at-cal-pep/

I can also very much recommend the Poble Sec district, the little and very local feel area just between Montjuic and Avenida Paral.lel. Great cafés, tapas/pintxos bars and restaurants, the best atmosphere and several great theaters close by. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/areas/poble-sec.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGb2pcWnJaI&feature=related

Hi t,

We were very pleased with our stay at http://www.hotelzaragozaplaza.com/en/ in Donostia.
Our room had a balcony overlooking the plaza.

Rooms, with bkfst, are well within your budget.

Caveat: There is a disco next door. I think it could be noisy on Fri and Sat nights.