Howdy, Just thought I'd chime in with a few general observations/tips that may be helpful. I'm somewhat experienced at PL's nuances and have been studying San Diego for a future trip. I wouldn't be able to give you a specific bidding strategy per se (not gigantically knowledgeable about every SD zone) #1, make sure that every time you rebid, the zones' star categories are the same as when you bid the previous day (i.e. a zone that shows at a max 2.5-star could have a Holiday Inn renovated to a Crowne Plaza tomorrow and thus become 3-star overnight)...so you need to double-check each individual zone before doing any rebid strategy (I just saw an online posting of someone who added what he thought was a free a SD PL rebid zone and he got burned with a 30+ mile commute from Carlsbad to his intended area). This website's FAQs address this and the how-to's. #2, along the lines of star expectations, please keep in mind that PL can always upgrade you to a higher-class property -- i.e. you bid 2.5 stars and there's a 3-star in PL's inventory for the same acceptable zone, yes you can be awarded the Doubletree Golf Resort that you're trying to avoid. I live in Denver and we have a horrific "downtown" Denver 3-star (Red Lion) that is by a stadium in a non-residential area two miles from downtown, and folks who've bid 2.5 stars (the former Holiday Inn and also the Courtyard by Marriott in the heart of dt) were "upgraded" to this property. Same goes, especially with gas prices and many folks wanting better-mileage cars, with bidding on a compact/midsize and being upgraded to fullsize on car bids etc. Also, 4-star hotels can be upgraded to a Resort #3, Given the size of your family and your hope for two rooms to accommodate all 8 of you (6 kids plus you and your other half), are you prepared to receive an accepted PL bid and then find out that you received two rooms, each with one queen bed? That's PL's obligation -- for every hotel room that is awarded via winning bid, PL's rules state only that each hotel room is promised to accommodate up to 2 people total. I've personally, depending on hotel occupancy, had luck in getting a room to my desires (i.e. 2 double beds or 1 king, etc) but you're at the whim/business needs of a hotel that released certain unsold rooms to PL to sell on its behalf. Especially during the beginning of vacation season (kids out of school etc so lots of families needing rooms with two beds in touristy places) in a desirable tourist destination, this is a great risk; sometimes the hotel will offer to upgrade you at no charge, other times anything different than the Pl room type will be an extra set amount/night (i.e. $20, $30, $40 etc) and could be substantial based on 2 rooms for 8-9 days. As such, I would highly recommend that you consider Hotwire because you can specify the number of adults and number of children in your original search, and the pricing will be based on accommodating that number of people with sufficient bedding etc. Hotwire may even tip you on which property is available, based on the icons for the properties showing. I apologize if these thoughts/ideas mess up your strategy at all, I would just hate for you to get the one ornery hotel that gives you a hard time at checkin and ruins what sounds like a very exciting vacation. Perhaps thereuare would have additional insight/ideas. Either way good luck and have an awesome trip!