Hotels and Holidays

I yearn to make a return trip to the USA, but my current financial situation simply does not allow it. I have personal friends in Boston, New York and family-friends in San Diego who I have not seen for about 30 years. I also have friends in Canada who I have not seen for a good ten years or so.
The last time we visited the 'States and Canada, we stayed with friends for a week and spent a week driving around in a hire car, using hotels and motels along the way. Although it will be a long time until I can afford a holiday abroad let alone a trip state-side, I dream of visiting San Diego and sunning myself on West Coast beaches...