We are a family of five (three teenagers). Do you recommend the Harbor View Inn or the Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara?

Also, should we stay on the beach in San Diego or in Old Town? We have never been to San Diego before.

Thanks.

The Harbor View Inn is very very nice, but the Franciscan is probably half the price and will suffice. Decent family hotel.

In San Diego stay on Mission Bay...the Paradise Point or Humphreys Half Moon I can recommend.

Definitely the Franciscan. Clean, well-run family hotel.

I recommend staying at one of the many beach hotels in San Diego. To help you decide, please take a look at localwally.com--this website has pictures and brief descriptions of the major tourist areas in San Diego.

We stayed in Hotel Cir near Old Town. As soon as the business trip was over we moved over to LaJolla. That was my favorite spot.

Harbor View Inn-The rooms and bathroom here are a good size. The rooms on the top floor have a cathedral ceiling which make them seem larger. If you get a mountain view room it will be cheaper than the oceanview. The pool here is nice, and its a good location right across the street from the beach.

For a family of 5 I would stay at the Embassy Suites in San Diego by the Bay. You will have lots of room here and its a convenient spot to sightsee from.

if your kids don't care about a pool, i'd rent a place right on mission beach. there are several companies that rent apartments/homes.

In San diego, your teenagers would probably have a better time on the beach than in Old Town.

Try the Sea Lodge hotel on La Jolla Shores. This beach is one of the favorite "teen" beaches in San Diego. Well, it's pretty much a favorite beach with everyone!

Also look at the Catamaran.This hotel is on the Bay, but it's just across the street from Mission Beach and your kids would probaly like that too.