After 100 rejected bids on Priceline for a 5 night stay in San Diego (August 6 thru the 11th), I gave up and booked at the Motel 6 in El Cajon for $50 per night, their internet special. The room was absolutely clean, two comfortable beds, immaculate bathroom with bathtub, air conditionaing that worked. TV includes cable and HBO. It was a perfectly servicable room and not small. The motel has 1 ice machine and soda machines and reasonably priced laundrymat, all near the front office. The parking lot was lit and apparently guarded at night although our car was the only one with the special security lock that we bought just for the occaision. Every morning they had free coffee in the office.

This is a no frills outfit, but honestly, it wasn't bad. Nothing dirty or torn, everything well cared for. Daily maid service is included.

There is a nice major shopping center just a few blocks away.

The only negative was some of the other motel guests were definitely scummy. But if you go into your room, and lock the deadbolt and the second special lock, i do not see any danger at all. And of course you have the room phone and your own cell phone in case there ever were an emergency. Frankly, we liked the place so much that when we got tired on the way home to San Francisco, we willingly stopped at the ButtonWillow /McKittrick Motel 6 (for only $37 on a Friday night) and once again found the same perfectly acceptable room. (The Motel 8 or whatever it's called wanted $80 for a room in the same town, glad we didn't stop there. ) I really think that the Motel 6 is okay.