Good call, gauchogolfer! 😀
I stayed at Stanyan Park for a few nights back before I moved out here, and I know a lot of people who have stayed there. Some of my best friends live almost right around the corner from it...and there's a North Beach Pizza just a block away. It's also where a lot of the visiting seminar speakers at UCSF's Parnassus campus (opposite direction from USF, but it's close to both schools) are usually hosted.
Edit: Now Santa Barbara on the other hand...that's tough for budget-minded consumers. Even the Motel 6's were going for $120+ when I tried to get a room down there a few weeks ago. Ended up staying at one of the Best Western's in Solvang for only $70.