I like the Manchester GH. It's on the water at the edge of downtown San Diego and of course has a lounge. However, at times it is filled with a big convention.

The U S Grant (Starwood LC, now Marriott of course) is nice in a very different way. It's a large boutique hotel in a historic building, also on the edge of downtown (called the Gas Lamp district with lots of restaurants and bars).

Both of these have expensive valet parking, probably about $50 per night plus tips. If you'll arrive by car, it might be nicer to stay along the coast or near La Jolla in a property with free parking since most of the stuff to do is not in downtown San Diego.

Don't forget the San Diego Zoo and the island with the iconic historic haunted hotel. I also like the coastal walk that starts in La Jolla village and hugs the cliffs. La Jolla has a good art museum, but it's not in the village.