Hotel Circle is in Mission Valley (used to work in Mission Valley). La Mesa is right up I-8 and a little cheaper than hotel circle. I too wouldn't care to stay in Chula Vista. Traffic in San Diego is nothing - well, nothing like around here

Roberto's is pretty good - wish I had something like them out here in the DC area.

Great local restaurant in Mission Valley Good food, reasonably priced.

Also be sure to check out San Diego North County - Carlsbad/Del Mar - beautiful area, nice beaches and much less crowded than San Diego/Mission Bay.

I wonder if lobster burrito's are back at Rubio's yet? Hmmm...