Hi Caren,
Downtown
San Diego offers lower rates
Hotels if you would like to keep within budget.
The Balboa Park Inn in Park Blvd. is a colorful and very affordable Spanish-style colonial stay.
All rooms feature a private entrance, and additional amenities include private bathrooms, a refrigerator and microwave, cable TV, free local calls, and daily maid service.
The best thing is that it is within a short walking distance to the
San Diego Zoo.
The Pacific Terrace Hotel is a perfect place for families although somewhat pricey. Located at 610 Diamond St., at Mission Bay, the Pacific Terrace Hotel is well-situated for accessing attractions both north and south of it.
Each guest room and suite here is large, and loaded with extras, from marble-laden bathrooms, to charming balconies. Large, plasma televisions, dataports and just about everything else comes with each well-decorated unit.
Hope this helps
VacationBuddy