I believe you live in the Bay area of California and that means no snow. I bought the Goodyear
Fortera w/Tripletred tires for winter usage. I am happy with my choice and they work better than the Conti EcoPlus tires in snow and ice. Since you live where snow does not normally occur, these tires may not make sense unless you spend the weekends skiing.
John Morton has the Bridgeston Alenza tires and speaks positive of them.
2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate
tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain. Aug. 2007
Best
Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio. May 2008
Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa. July 2008.