Where is the best place to stay while visiting each of the following cities if we are planning to do most of the general touristy things? We will have access to a car.
1. Los Angeles ( I have heard from others not to stay downtown here and to try to find something near the airport or West Hollywood).
2. Anaheim
3. San Diego
Any input is appreciated. I am not as much concerned with prices or a budget as I am staying in a decent, convenient area in each of the three cities.

It depends on which touristy things you plan to do. If Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm then take Anaheim. Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountail or La Brea Tar Pits, etc take West Hollywood or the San Fernando Valley.
San Diego is a long drive from any of the LA spots, but you are close to S.D. Zoon, Wild Animal Park, Legoland and good beaches.

In San Diego, I like the Estancia in La Jolla and HOtel Solara in the Gaslamp downtown.

With a city as big and varied as Los Angeles, you need to list the things you want to see/do before we can recommend a "convenient" location. For example, I prefer the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino over the Getty Center in Brentwood, but these two are more than 30 miles (and 40-50 minutes) apart.

For an itinerary, we flying into LA. We are going to spend much time there actually. We will do the Hollywood sights, possibly the Universal Studios deal, and maybe the Tar Pits. That is about it for there.We will spend two nights total in LA.
Then we will move onto Anaheim and spend a total of three nights there. In Anaheim we are doing primarily Disney.
We then will be moving onto San Diego for five nights. We will be going to a Padres game, heading to Sea World, going to the Zoo and Balboa Park, and checking out the beach one day. We will make a point to check out the downtown area and the Gaslamp Quarter for a stroll. So we really will be all over the place down there.
In LA, I was thinking of staying by the airport. In Anaheim, I wasn't really sure. In San Diego, we were thinking of bucking up and staying at some place downtown. This is mainly due to the convenience of being able to come and go at short intervals as my wife and I will be traveling with our 2 year old and my parents. That way it will allow us to easily get back to the hotel while my daughter takes a nap and the others can still find something to do in the afternoons.

We will have a rental car.

For LA I would probably recommend a hotel in West Hollywood or Burbank. Universal Studios is not close to the airport, neither are the Tar Pits. I've only stayed at the Hotel Amarano (formerly Garciela) in Burbank which was lovely but expensive. Others can probably make recommendations for specific hotels. With a focus on those two areas you could easily do Universal Studios, LA Zoo (for your toddler), Hollywood, LACMA/Tar Pits, LA Farmer's Market and the Grove for a little shopping and dining.

in San Diego there is Marriot in the gaslamp that is across the street from Petco Park. i had cousins that visited last summer and stayed there, they liked the hotel. They had a really good deal that had the valet parking included. there is not a pool so if that is something you must have then i would advise against this hotel.
you are close to the zoo, sea world, balboa park, old town and probably 20 minutes to La jolla (when no traffic)

While reading the title, how many of you heard Glenn Frey singing? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJTNx5qrVU

When our kids were toddlers, they LOVED Travel Town at Griffith Park...

http://www.laparks.org/grifmet/tt/collection.htm

I wouldn't stay near the airport, it's too far from most of the typical tourist spots (Farmers Market, Tar pits, Walk of fame etc). Try the Farmers Daughter across the street from the Farmers Market/The grove (thegrovela.com), or in West Hollywood there is a Best Western. At the Hollywoodandhighland.com is a complex(basically a mall next to the Chinese & Kodak theater) that has the Renaissance Hotel.

We always like to have a suite hotel when traveling with our kids. More space, small kitchenette's, etc. There are Residence Inns in Beverly Hills and Burbank that might fit your needs.

I would go with the Beverly Hills Hotel or the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
http://www.chateaumarmont.com/
http://www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com/


Tess,
My wife and I just saw the Eagles in NYC last Friday night. They were incredible.
When they played Hotel California they had a picture of the Chateau Marmont in the background.

What is your budget?

I like the former RitzCarlton in Pasadena...I heard they were recently bought out.

In San Diego, the Omni is a great location as well. I hear the Ivy is a cool boutique hotel, as well as Hotel Solara which I already mentioned.

I loved the US Grant in San Diego. If you can upgrade to a Landmark Suite, do it...

And in LA, the Beverly Hills Hotel is just the best! You wouldn't regret a stay here...

(ncounty, the former Ritz Carlton in Pasadena is now the Langham. Haven't stayed there, but for a 5 star, prices are very good.)

Thanks, good to know....

We love the old Huntington Ritz, now the http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/ in Pasadena. We stayed there several times this year and the year before. Obviously, we love it.

Andrew8 - We've actually socialized with Glenn a few times. He's a great friend of a friend and his amateur golfing partner for a local tournament at Pebble. Terrific guy and what a voice. Lucky you to see the concert, you must've really enjoyed it.