I would not stay in Kearny Mesa - ever. What are your other options? IF you give us budget we can really help you with that...

Not sure DCA needs a full day -

I also have a reservation at Best Western Plus at Pacific Beach. It's the same price, but I have to pay for parking, no breakfast, etc.

I prefer to stay under $130 or so using either AAA or Gov't employee.

How about the Residence Inn in La Jolla on Gilman? Or the one listed as Sorrento Valley on Pacific Mesa Court?

As you can see, I like Marriotts :)

1 more hotel option...La Quinta Old Town. It has pretty good reviews...I haven't stayed at a La Quinta for years, so I don't know much about them.

I actually love Marriotts - my husband travels for business a lot and we are "platinum" members of their reward program so usually stay only at Marriotts, we got married at the San Diego Marriott and Marina downtown San Diego and own a timeshare at the Palm Desert Marriott villas - :) I do understand.

I currently live in Texas but grew up in San Diego and lived for about 13 years in Orange county prior to moving to Texas.

I know nothing about the La Quinta in Old Town - other than Old Town is a decent location for what you want to do - easy and off the 5 freeway - you would be close to the Zoo - it has a cute area to walk around in and good Mexican food.

Let me see what I can find for under 130.00 in a good area. The Residence Inn in "La Jolla" is not "really" IN La Jolla as far as location - it is easy freeway access as well and you would closer to getting down to La Jolla for the time you want to spend there - there is a beach area called La Jolla Shores that your children might enjoy - It is a longer beach area -

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-jolla-shores-san-diego that will give you some ideas.

Also for something that your boys might like that is not amusement park and won't bust the bank:

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

That would be closer to the Residence Inn in La Jolla - there is a restaurant right on the corner by the Residence Inn in La Jolla - it use to the Elephant Bar way back in the day = I worked there 24 years ago ;-) - there is a mall across the street - it is a right by the VA hospital and UCSD -

Of the choices you listed I would stay at the Residence Inn in La Jolla but that would not be my first choice in general.

Of all the Residence Inn's in San Diego - I would stay in the one in Mission Valley and I NEVER recommend people stay in Mission Valley but it is a good location for all the places you want to go and the property was recently renovated.

Btw, I have stayed at the one located "downtown" San Diego and it is RIGHT by the train tracks - they actually GIVE you ear plugs IN the room on the night stand. NEVER a good sign - I would not ever stay there again.

I checked Paradise Point in on Mission Bay as I have also stayed there and it is a good family resort - but the rates were at 179.00 mid may including breakfast. http://www.paradisepoint.com/