I've stayed at both the Howard Johnson and the Camelot Inn and Suites across the road, both were clean and basic hotels, not 5 star by any means, but pretty close to the entrance.
I agree with others above, we broke our days into 2. We got to the gate at "rope drop" got a heap of things done, then bailed at lunch time for a sleep with the kids.
San Diego I've been twice and I am sure to be on the outer but I really didn't like it all that much.
In respects to securing Business Class seats, I am no expert, but I just managed to secure my first ever Business Class ticket BNE-LAX last week. a month ago, when I searched for my date there was only Economy seats available, so I just waited it out and checked every single day twice a day. a week later a Premium Economy seat opened up for my date so I grabbed it. then only last week a Business class opened up so I grabbed it and cancelled the premium ticket. same goes for the return, nothing buy economy then a week later a couple of PE seats come up and I grabbed them, and still I am on the everyday twice daily hunt for the business seat.
I called VA as a WP and asked if there were any available and she assured me there was nothing, but they open up randomly.
for the reference my dates are in mid Jan and early Feb.