Outback Steakhouse

All-suite extended-stay with full kitchens and free hot breakfast on the Pleasant Hill/Concord line, built for sports-tournament weekends and longer family stays.

Marriott's all-suite extended-stay twin next door to the Homewood: full kitchens, free breakfast and a pool.

The shaded neighborhood workhorse near Walnut Creek: a classic climbing structure with slides and swings for toddlers through early elementary, big shade trees that keep it usable into the afternoon, and basketball courts for older siblings.

Concord's full-service Hilton in the Diamond Blvd corridor: outdoor pool, big rooms, and a location five minutes from Concord Community Park and the Pixieland gate.

A straightforward mid-range Pleasant Hill stay with a pool, minutes from the Pleasant Hill Park playground and the Contra Costa Blvd food strip.

Concord's playground-plus-spray-park combo: a traditional climbing structure with a free city spray park running Memorial Day through late September, with separate zones for toddlers and bigger kids. Kids rotate between structure and spray jets all afternoon.