A friend and I went to San Diego for Comic Con. Gene was an amazing host: friendly, nice, and incredibly helpful. He was very aware of our Con-related needs and provided every aid that he could. Gene is a charming person and an excellent host.
The room is perfect for two, has lots of board games for killing time, and more than enough closet space to store luggage and clothing (and Con-related stuff). There's a trick to turning on the lights of the ceiling fan (not with the switch, pull the cord).
The area where the place is located is really nice and safe. There's a bus stop downhill and a marketplace a few blocks away. We recommend that you try the sandwiches at the marketplace's deli. Also, the walk uphill from the bus stop to Gene's place may feel to some to be long and tiresome. Enjoyable view, but you'll need to be in good condition. If you dislike exercise, find an alternate transport.
We never got to the beach, but it is quite close. So is the airport, barely a few minutes away.