Room only USA - food tips needed!

[Jazzmin]

We are going to California at Easter. We are staying room only for 2 weeks. Breakfast at the hotels is about 20 dollars each, I have 2 teenagers so they would pay full rate which will soon add up. I was thinking of packing cereal bars etc for a quick breakfast on some days ( obviously can buy from supermarkets there, but particularly thinking about start of holiday as we get our bearings.)
I have never been on this sort of holiday before - does it get time consuming constantly eating out? Do people eat out 3 meals a day? I have budgeted for lots of eating out, but not 80 dollars a day just for breakfast!

Any other tips on what to take which will travel well, or ways to manage having no self catering facilities much appreciated! ( I am really looking forward to the sightseeing, and love eating out, but don’t want to kick myself for not thinking of something obvious!)

Knotts Berry Farm is awesome too!

Costco do masses of samples and some really nice food. Well worth a look.

one thing people haven't mentioned is that they will box anything up in a restaurant if you don't finish your meal, it's nice to have a little bit of past, salad or pizza for lunch the next day!

Coupons are very popular and everyone uses them. Look out for coupon books in your hotel, malls, restaurants, any tourist spots. Lots of great deals for places to visit, eat out etc which can save you a lot of money.
Have a great time.

I thought of something else. Many restaurants in the US, especially those catering to families, have options to order a half size of certain items, especially main course salads and sandwiches. The cost is usually not substantially less than the whole size item, but it's tempting to order the smaller size because the portions are so large. Order the larger size; eat half and have the remainder boxed up to take away for another meal.

Then there are the deals where ordering certain entrees means you get a free soup or salad.

Where are you staying in San Diego op?

The peanut butter and banana french toast at Cafe 222 is amazing!

Cafe 222 will be walking distance, thanks for that tip! There is something quite indulgent about eating leftovers in bed watching a film... something we wouldn’t do at home, could be a new holiday tradition!

You will find that over here bad food is much cheaper than the UK but good food is more expensive. I couldn’t live off Denny’s etc for 2 weeks. Once a year those places are OK. Fresh fruit is much tastier here. And fresh juice is cheaper than the UK - especially orange juice because we grow oranges here and don’t heed to import juice. I would certainly look around at smaller Mom and Pop restaurants. Don’t be fooled by large portions. That’s often a sign that the food is very low quality.

When there was no fridge there was always ice bucket and ice machine down the corridor which kept milk or juice cold over night or during day
Walgrens or corner type shops sold single portion cereal pots. E.g. cheerios kellogs
Had to ask for kettle /coffee machine some hotels

You can usually pay a dollar or two to share a plate; the portions are enormous!

If you don’t want to pay for the convenience of your hotel, you can save a couple of dollars by going to local diners, such as Bob Evans and

A hotel buffet, however, will enable you to take some snacks for later in your day.

I cannot fathom spending £1000+ on flights, then whatever for hotels and car hire, to eat at Denny’s.

A little update, in case anyone ever searches for similar!
We ended up buying a box of cereal, paper bowls and cheap spoons. We had a couple of breakfasts out, but most days wanted something quick to get out and on our way quickly. The ice bucket was really useful when the mini bar fridge was full and the kids liked the novelty of filling it at the ice machine at the hotels. Not sure we saw a Denny’s anywhere! Had amazing food (only had chips twice, lots of great fish, Mexican etc.) Easily kept to my hundred pounds a day optimistic budget for food for four, obviously averaged out so a couple of food court meals after more expensive ones.
It was amazing, need to start saving for the next one!

A little update, in case anyone ever searches for similar!
We ended up buying a box of cereal, paper bowls and cheap spoons. We had a couple of breakfasts out, but most days wanted something quick to get out and on our way quickly. The ice bucket was really useful when the mini bar fridge was full and the kids liked the novelty of filling it at the ice machine at the hotels. Not sure we saw a Denny’s anywhere! Had amazing food (only had chips twice, lots of great fish, Mexican etc.) Easily kept to my hundred pounds a day optimistic budget for food for four, obviously averaged out so a couple of food court meals after more expensive ones.
It was amazing, need to start saving for the next one!