San Diego will be most likely-no gurantees-nicer weather in February. You may even be able to sit on the beach. But it is not a "walking" city, you need a car to get from area to area.

family_travelrs

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency, Embarcadero Center and this hotel is directly across from BART and the cable car stop is outside the hotel. We qualified for the senior rate which did bring the rate down quite a bit. Check their website for specials.

The Chancellor hotel was also on my short list of where to stay and is budget friendly.

The weather in San Francisco or San Diego will definitely be better than where you live.

I know you have made your mind up but just wanted to say San Diego is a wonderful place to visit and very easy to drive in. Take a look on www.sandiego.org for a future visit.

Look forward to reading a possible trip report and how things worked out for you.

Sandy

Like Stu, I have no reason to stay in hotels here (since I live here), but this group of hotels is often recommended on here, particularly for families and people with cars (free parking):

http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/

I was in the Columbus Motor Inn in NorthBeach in October as friends were staying there. The room was large and very nice. And the location was wonderful in my opinion.

I agree that the Columbus Motor Inn should fit your needs.

http://www.columbusmotorinn.com/

I believe they have a family 'suite' and the rates were reasonable when we stayed there a couple of months ago. They are within walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf and not too far from cable car stops, and on a very pleasant tree lined street. (Getting a hotel for your budget near the cable car turnarounds, I think, will not be possible.)

In fact, you should be prepared to tweak your hotel budget for San Francisco prices.

Another possibility is the Cow Hollow Motor Inn and Suites in the Marina District.

http://www.cowhollowmotorinn.com/

You would need to take public transportation to the major sights, but the SF transportation system is excellent.

Do take the boys to the Exploratorium which is in the Marina District.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/

It is a kind of 'hands on' science exhibit and experience and you may not be able to drag them away from it.

I would not worry at all about the weather. I have lived here for more years than you want to know and have never felt constrained by the "weather". It will not be hot, of course, but it will not be freezing. We have a very mild climate.

jtr, we came home from SF a few weeks ago and went down Lombard to the GG Bridge and finally saw the Cow Hollow. How did I miss it?

We may stay there next trip so we can raise a bit more in the Marina Distr. >-

>>We may stay there next trip so we can raise a bit more in the Marina Distr. >>

Kal - give us a call and we can raise a little cain together.

Stu Dudley

Thee Stu, Sounds good to us!

But it will be a big cain if we are both there with our better halves!

I think you have our e-mail - drop us a line when you are in the hood.

Stu Dudley

Is that Herb or Abel's brother? ;-)

Michael's brother.

Stu Dudley