M.M.
Have you looked at San Diego?
Looking for a nice hotel that does not cost a fortune but also has cool stuff on site... going for my hubby's birthday but are bringing the kiddos. We have a time share in Palm Springs and another in Dana Point so we have kind of exhausted those areas... But anywhere else we are open to... anywhere within 2 hours of Riverside County. Any ideas??? Everything I am finding on expedia is like 280 dollars a night...don't really want to spend that much for just a couple day getaway...
Have you looked at San Diego?
Old Town San Diego is fun (and balboa)
You could try jumping half an hour out from San Diego (like Rancho Penasquitos/ Del Mar to save on pricing. It's been too many years, though. The only SD hotel that leaps to mind is the Hotel del Coronado... and that costs both arms and both legs.
We had the best time at the hyatt grand regency Huntington beach.. It is newly renovated and has three pools.. One pool with water slides for kids. We booked through hyatt in the spring and received a third night free with their sun shine package.
I've heard great things about Grand Pacific Palisades in Carlsbad. http://www.grandpacificpalisades.com/ It's close to the beach, and next to Legoland which is fun for the kiddos (if they are at the right age range). It's also not too far from other attractions in San Diego.
Carmel? Is that too far? Spent an awesome weekend there once but can't remember where we stayed.
Hyatt in Valencia
Nice
Cute shopping strip
Near Newport beach (driving distance?)