What are the best tires for stock wheels (185 70 R 13 factory rims) that will be mainly used for snow/rain/mud conditions?

 

I saw these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+R700&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=97QR3R700K9A&fromCompare1=yes

at TireRack.com and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them.

Look at the ratings posted on your link at about mid-page. They themselves rate the tire as "Unacceptable" in snow.

 

Oops, my bad. Just saw that the rating said N/A. Probably untested.

If you have access to Costco where you live, they have Michelins for about 75 a tire, or B.F. Goodrich for around 51 each. Both would do fine for the snow you'd see in CA.