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Car hires in San Diego, California

Are you looking for cheap car hire deals in San Diego, California? Search right here!

San Diego, CA, United States
26 Mar — 2 Apr
San Diego, CA, United States
Tue 26/3
Midday
Tue 2/4
Midday
Driver's age:

Deals from hire companies in 70,000+ locations.

Voted winner of Europe's Best Travel App 2023

Car hire insight and trends in San Diego

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in San Diego

What is the cheapest car hire agency in San Diego?

The cheapest car hire in San Diego are generally found through Advance Car And Truck Rental. When booking with Advance Car And Truck Rental, you may be able to find car hire prices for as low as £16/day. The average price to hire a car in San Diego is £18/day.

What car hire company in San Diego has the most locations?

Hertz has the most locations of any car hire company in San Diego, with 14 locations.

What car do most people hire in San Diego?

The Chevrolet Suburban is the most popular car to hire in San Diego, according to our data. Our users have found prices for Chevrolet Suburban rentals for as low as £26/day in San Diego, though on average you can expect prices to be around £66/day. Another popular car to hire in San Diego is the Ford Mustang Convertible for an average of £80/day, and deals as low as £36/day.

Best deals found for San Diego, California car hires

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in San Diego, California
Economy£18/day
Compact£18/day
Intermediate£21/day
Standard£18/day
Full-size£22/day
People carrier£26/day
Full-size SUV£40/day
Luxury£36/day
Intermediate SUV£22/day
Compact SUV£22/day
Standard SUV£23/day
Best rates found by momondo users in the past 48 hours.

Important information about San Diego car hire

San Diego is extensively recognised for its parks, warm climate, and home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. An overwhelming majority of tourists worldwide prefer booking a cheap car rental in San Diego to explore the significant attraction sights, such as the star of India, Petco Park, and others. You can never experience a dull day in San Diego since the city has magnificent weather that allows you to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year. With an electric car rental in San Diego, you can explore the city's natural beauty and in a comfortable way.  Keep in mind that traffic gets congested during rush hour within the major roads, such as Highways 15, 56, and 805. However, there is ample parking in San Diego. Getting hired cars in San Diego is also easy as there are more than 10 car hire locations in the city.

While visiting is it worthwhile to get a rental car in San Diego?

Getting a San Diego car rentals will be determined by the kind of activities and the distance between one visiting destination to the other. There are numerous attraction sights in San Diego that, while they can be navigated by public transport, are so much more convenient to get to by car. Consider getting a luxury car rental in San Diego to explore other beautiful sceneries and outdoor activities in nearby towns, such as Oceanside. Oceanside has numerous outdoor activities, such as skydiving, whale watching tours, private vacation photography sessions, and others. You can also visit the top attraction sights in Oceanside, such as the Oceanside Pier, the California Surf Museum, and several others. Since these destinations are not walkable, you need a cheap car rental or a people carrier rental to get there. There is adequate parking in San Diego, which is affordable and secure for your hired cars in San Diego.

What driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in San Diego?

If you plan a visit to San Diego, ensure you are familiar with the driving rules. When you are driving on a highway, stay in the right-hand lane, as the left-hand lane should only be used when passing other vehicles. If you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, you are allowed to make a left-hand turn on a red light. Every time that you turn on your windshield wipers, you are also required to turn on your headlights. You may make a U-turn, even if it is over a double yellow line, as long as it is safe to do so. California law prohibits the use of handheld mobile phones while operating a motor vehicle unless it’s an emergency. It is mandatory to wear your seat belts while driving. Young children should use a booster seat. Ensure you observe the recommended speed limit for highways, interstate, and two-lane undivided roads. Also, use moderate speed while driving near a safety zone, such as a school or construction zone. If you are looking for rental cars in San Diego, it is good to check with the city's Department of Motor Vehicles for recent law changes.

Can I drive to Mexico with a rental car from San Diego?

Due to the area’s close proximity to the border, many visitors enjoy using hired cars in San Diego to travel to nearby cities in Mexico. Most rental car companies will typically allow you to drive to neighbouring countries, but it’s always best to verify that this is allowed with your contract before embarking on your journey. To enter Mexico with a San Diego car rental, all travelers are legally obligated to have Mexican automobile liability insurance. Normally, you will be able to obtain this directly through your rental car company of choice. Beyond insurance, you will also need to have a government-issued driving license, as well as either a passport or passport card. Keep in mind that passport cards can only be used to travel to other countries by land.

Can you hire a car in San Diego without a credit card?

When booking hired cars in San Diego, even cheap hired cars in San Diego, most companies will ask that you pay with a credit card. However, lacking a credit card will not prevent you from renting a car in San Diego. Quite a few companies accept alternative payment methods, including cash, checks, and debit cards. However, if you use a form of payment other than a credit card, you may need to provide additional documentation, like proof of insurance or address. You may also be asked to put down a deposit, which will likely be in cash. As different companies have different rules regarding payment methods, we recommend contacting your San Diego car rental company ahead of time in order to verify what is accepted and to determine what the payment process will be.

What documents does an international traveler need to rent a car in San Diego?

Even if you do not have a driving license from the United States, you can still rent a car in San Diego under certain circumstances. For example, almost all rental companies will accept a valid international driving license; just make sure that the expiration date falls after your rental period. Many companies will also allow you to use a foreign driving license, but it should always be in an alphabet based in Latin. If it is in a different alphabet, you may be able to use an official translation in place of the document, but it is best to verify this with the rental company. You will always want to have your physical passport on hand, as the company will typically need to verify your identity with this, as well as take a photocopy in order to keep it on record with your file. In California, customers must be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Renters under the age of 25 may be required to pay an extra fee.


San Diego, California car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in San Diego that's right for you

Small cars

£27 - £45

All Car Types

£42 - £61

The average price of a small car hire in San Diego, the United States is £36. The cheapest time to hire a small car in San Diego, the United States is in November. The price is 25% lower than the rest of the year at just £27 per day. A small car rental is typically 24% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego small car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car hire in San Diego, the United States is £45. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in San Diego, the United States is in January. The price is 18% lower than the rest of the year at just £38 per day. A medium car rental is typically 3% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego medium car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car hire in San Diego, the United States is £52. The cheapest time to hire a large car in San Diego, the United States is in September. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just £43 per day. A large car rental is typically 12% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego large car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV hire in San Diego, the United States is £44. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in San Diego, the United States is in March. The price is 16% lower than the rest of the year at just £37 per day. A SUV rental is typically 7% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van hire in San Diego, the United States is £47. The cheapest time to hire a van in San Diego, the United States is in December. The price is 13% lower than the rest of the year at just £41 per day. A van rental is typically 0% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego van rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a pickup truck hire in San Diego, the United States is £40. The cheapest time to hire a pickup truck in San Diego, the United States is in May. The price is 10% lower than the rest of the year at just £37 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 13% less expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a luxury car hire in San Diego, the United States is £58. The cheapest time to hire a luxury car in San Diego, the United States is in February. The price is 33% lower than the rest of the year at just £39 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 19% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for San Diego luxury car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a convertible hire in San Diego, the United States is £65. The cheapest time to hire a convertible in San Diego, the United States is in January. The price is 22% lower than the rest of the year at just £52 per day. A convertible rental is typically 29% more expensive than the average rental car in San Diego. The average price of a car hire in San Diego can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

Ford Focus
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

£18/day

3 May - 11 May
Ford Focus
Toyota Yaris
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

£18/day

3 May - 11 May
Toyota Yaris
Hyundai i10
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

£26/day

25 Apr - 7 May
Hyundai i10

San Diego car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in San Diego, California

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.8
Good
335 reviews14 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Overall

7.7

Pick-up/drop-off

7.6

Value

7.7

Dollar

6.8
Okay
223 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

7.6

Overall

6.6

Pick-up/drop-off

6.7

Value

6.8

Budget

6.6
Okay
178 reviews11 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

7.3

Overall

6.6

Pick-up/drop-off

6.6

Value

6.6

Avis

6.5
Okay
299 reviews11 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

7.3

Overall

6.4

Pick-up/drop-off

6.6

Value

6.5

Hertz

5.9
Fair
725 reviews13 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.7

Comfort

6.6

Overall

5.8

Pick-up/drop-off

5.8

Value

6.0

Economy Rent a Car

5.8
Fair
118 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.5

Overall

5.6

Pick-up/drop-off

5.4

Value

6.0

Ace

4.4
Mediocre
154 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

5.1

Comfort

5.0

Overall

4.3

Pick-up/drop-off

4.2

Value

4.6

MEXRENTACAR

3.9
Poor
233 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

4.6

Comfort

4.5

Overall

3.8

Pick-up/drop-off

3.7

Value

4.1

Quick facts about car hire in San Diego

Get the overview on great hire deals, popular car hire companies, and best car types for your visit in San Diego

Most Popular Agency

Budget

Popular Car Types

SUV, Intermediate, Standard

Cheapest Hire Car

£25

Most Popular Model

Toyota Prius
The most popular San Diego car hire agency found on momondo this month is Budget. Other top choices for car hire companies are Avis and Hertz
The following car types were offered at car hire companies in San Diego in the past 72 hours: SUV, Intermediate, Standard.
The lowest price for a car hire in San Diego is £25/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from £42/day.
The most popular car model to hire in San Diego in the past 7 days is the Toyota Prius. Our users also prefer the Hyundai Accent as an alternative.

Find popular attractions close to your car hire pick-up

Visit these must-see attractions near popular car hire locations in San Diego

Nearby attractions:

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina0.4 mi
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park1.6 mi
Wyndham San Diego Bayside1.7 mi
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina2.5 mi
Gaslamp Quarter2.6 mi

Nearby attractions:

Birch Aquarium66.3 mi
La Jolla Cove66.6 mi
La Jolla Shores66.6 mi
Pacific Beach Park70.4 mi
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa70.8 mi

Nearby attractions:

Birch Aquarium84.6 mi
La Jolla Shores85.0 mi
La Jolla Cove85.3 mi
Pacific Beach Park89.1 mi
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa89.7 mi

Hire a car near one of these popular hotels in San Diego

Below are the most popular hotels in San Diego
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

1 Market Place, San Diego, CA, United States

0.7 mi from city centre

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA, United States

0.8 mi from city centre

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA, United States

6.3 mi from city centre

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina

1441 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA, United States

6.0 mi from city centre

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

1355 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

0.9 mi from city centre

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

207 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA, United States

0.6 mi from city centre

Ramada Suites by Wyndham San Diego

Ramada Suites by Wyndham San Diego

631 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA, United States

3.3 mi from city centre

Hyatt Regency La Jolla

Hyatt Regency La Jolla

3777 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

11.5 mi from city centre

Days Inn by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle

Days Inn by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle

543 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA, United States

3.2 mi from city centre

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

0.6 mi from city centre

Omni San Diego Hotel

Omni San Diego Hotel

675 L Street, San Diego, CA, United States

0.6 mi from city centre

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

2.5 mi from city centre

Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

509 9th Avenue, San Diego, CA, United States

0.3 mi from city centre

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

5.3 mi from city centre

Best Western Seven Seas

Best Western Seven Seas

411 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA, United States

3.2 mi from city centre

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

901 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, CA, United States

3.3 mi from city centre

Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort

Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort

1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA, United States

4.3 mi from city centre

Pendry San Diego

Pendry San Diego

550 J Street, San Diego, CA, United States

0.4 mi from city centre


Driving with a car hire in San Diego - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in San Diego so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

How much will it cost to hire a car in San Diego, California in April?

For a weekend in April, the best deals in San Diego start from around £24 up to around £54. Stretching your hire over seven days shifts the price range to about £21 to £44.

Is there a fee to cancel my San Diego, California car hire?

When hiring a car, you can expect to find that a majority of the rental car agencies in San Diego do not have a cancellation fee. Keep in mind that momondo does not set these cancellation policies, but we can help you find great deals on car hire in San Diego. Be sure to look for the Cancellation Policy when you conduct your search.

What is the best type of car to hire in San Diego during April?

The best way to enjoy the sites in San Diego during the month of April is by hiring a convertible. You are less likely to run into any instances of precipitation or colder weather, because San Diego has an average temperature of 18 °C and average rainfall of 3 mm during the month of April. Hiring a Convertible in San Diego will cost you £57/day on average.

What is the speed limit in San Diego, California?

25 mph is the city speed limit for San Diego, which also applies to surrounding towns and other urban centres. The suburban speed limit and the speed limit for motorways around San Diego are 75 mph and 75 mph, respectively. If you hire a car in San Diego, be aware that these speed limits may be strictly enforced.

What car hire company has the Chevrolet Suburban in San Diego?

What is the weather like in San Diego, CA in March?

Typically, the weather in San Diego through the month of March is 15 °C and the expected precipitation is 46 mm. This is important information to know when hiring a car so you can be sure to rent the perfect car for the expected weather.

Is the weather in San Diego similar to the rest of California?

The climate in California during March is usually 14 °C with an expected 58.3 mm of precipitation throughout the month. Those looking to hire a car and leave from San Diego on a road trip to the surrounding area should take note of this information.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in San Diego?

Prices for cars in San Diego are refreshed on a daily basis.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in San Diego?

How old do you have to be to hire a car in San Diego?

Age requirements for drivers vary depending on the country, including San Diego. In several EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. Generally, to rent a car overseas, you must be at least 21 years old, and if you're under 25, you may be charged a young driver surcharge. It's recommended that you review the policy of your preferred rental company before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in San Diego?

When renting a car in San Diego, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.


Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in San Diego?

momondo finds and compares thousands of car hire websites to provide you with the best selection of policies and car hire in San Diego. Finding a car hire is quick and free of charge, so using momondo for your booking makes sense.

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in San Diego?

momondo helps you find the best car hire deal in San Diego by allowing you to filter results by price, capacity, car features, drop off, pick-up location and many more.

Does momondo show car hire deals in San Diego with free cancellation?

Yes you can filter specifically for car hire companies in San Diego offering free cancellation on momondo.

Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in San Diego on momondo?

Absolutely! momondo offers this feature when searching for a car hire in San Diego.

Can I find a car hire in San Diego which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

Yes, momondo can show you specific deals which include enhanced cleaning on car hire in San Diego.

Can I search for car hire in San Diego with unlimited mileage on momondo?

Yes, unlimited mileage options can be found on car hire in San Diego on momondo.


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