We will be travelling from San Diego to SF in mid August. WE are 3 adults and 2 kids (13 and 5). Ideally we need 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Lodging seems very expensive in nost of the areas we are going to visit, which are San Diego, LA, San Luis Obispo, Monterrey and SF. Are there any areas on the outskirts of of these placess that are less expensive but are still close enough to enjoy the main attractions in these areas?
Thanks for your help

In both Los Angeles and San Francisco, if you plan your visits on the weekends (Fri Sat Sun), you can get some great rates at hotels near the airports. LA airport is about 10 minutes to the beach, 20 minutes to Santa Monica, and 25 minutes to Beverly Hills. San Fran airport is about 30 min from the city. Traffic problems are also much less likely in those two cities on weekends.

You should look into getting an "Entertainment Card" which is worth the $20 investment. Check with hotels such as Residence Inn that offer family-size accomodations. If they offer you a good "entertainment card rate", you can then purchase the card for your trip at entertainment.com

For Monterey, consider staying in nearby Carmel, the Carmel Mission Inn often has special rates (for weeknights) at carmelmissioninn.com
The specials for August might not pop up until July.

Another San Fran idea is columbusmotorinn.com They have some larger family units, AND parking is included which can save you $25 a day in San Fran

San Diego - try the hotel circle area; you can head further east or NE, but then you get to join the commute traffic.

LA - you can try down in Orange county around Disneyland; lots of competition there.

SLO - wellll, Pismo Beach or Morro Bay are likely to be just as expensive. Santa Maria is 30 miles away, and would be cheaper (farm country).

Monterey - try Seaside. Salinas or Watsonville are farther (farm country again) and cheaper.

SF - the other parts of the Bay area are pretty pricey too, until you get way out in the boonies.

Both LA area and SF can have some pretty rough neighborhoods; you want to be a bit picky about how you bargain hunt for lodging.

If you all can stay in one suite with 2 double beds and a pull-out in the livingroom, I would stay at the Embassy Suites. We have stayed at the ones in San Luis Obispo, San Diego and LAX South. All were very nice, and big. There is also one in Monterey and San Francisco. I think they have 2 bedroom suites too, which may be cheaper than 2 seperate rooms elsewhere. And remember, a full breakfast and cocktails are included.

thank you all for your help. we are checking into these areas now.