Car Rental in San Diego 

Car rental in San Diego: a city known both for its party life and relaxation

Though a large city, San Diego is a great place to visit if you want to balance party life with relaxation. Increasingly popular with outdoor adventurers, San Diego is also the site of booming bio and communication technologies. Make the most of your visit by staying mobile with a rental car.

San Diego is a great city to visit year round, as the temperature doesn’t vary much above or below room temperature. Winter lows hover around 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) and summer highs around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit).

While the de facto national language of the US is English, about 25% of San Diegans are native-Spanish speakers. San Diego was originally home to the Kumeyaay people, and Kumeyaay is still spoken in the area today. Due to migration, many Oaxacan indigenous languages are spoken as well, such as Mixtec and Zapotec.

San Diego is in the Pacific Time Zone, UTC-8.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Currency exchange is highly available at airports and popular tourist destinations, and credit cards are accepted at the vast majority of businesses.

Automobile hire is available in over 25 locations throughout San Diego, including the San Diego International Airport (SAN), downtown, and at Cross Border Xpress.

Car rental Information: Driving in San Diego

Renting a car is highly recommended for seeing San Diego and its surroundings, such as the wine country of nearby Temecula. Particularly because public transportation is unreliable, automobile hire greatly improves your comfort and mobility for travel in the area, though do expect roads to be busy throughout the day.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout the USA.

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

San Diego car rental: speed limits

• In the city: 25 mph (40 km/h)
• On urban highways: 55 mph (88 km/h)
• On rural highways: 65 to 70 mph (104 to 112 km/h)
• Roads are typically fairly busy throughout San Diego, so avoid morning (from 6:30 to 10 am) and afternoon (3:30 to 6:30 pm) rush hours, when roads are truly packed.

Rent a car in San Diego: Other regulations

• While parking is typically available in downtown San Diego, it can be quite pricy. Expect to pay around $3 for one hour and between $10 and $30 for 24 hours.
• Your domestic driver’s license is sufficient for driving in California.
• State Route 125 or the South Bay Expressway is the only toll road in the San Diego area, though you shouldn’t expect to depend on this route, as you can easily drive to Los Angeles without paying any tolls.
• Californians can legally drive as young as 16 with driver’s education, but most rental agencies will require you to be at least 21, and you can expect to pay young driver surcharges until the age of 25.

Other Tips

• If you’re interested in travelling to Baja California, Mexico, talk to your rental company. Your agency will need to provide you documentation to ease border travel, including providing car insurance that is also valid in Mexico. If Tijuana is your primary Mexican destination, avoid these hassles by taking the Blue Tram Line to the border and walking for 20 minutes or taking a cab once in Mexico.

Car deals in San Diego 

Automobile hire in San Diego typically starts at around $30 a day. Here are some of the best deals in San Diego:

• Kia Rio or similar (economy class) – $26/day
• Nissan Note or similar (compact class) – $27/day
• Hyundai Elantra or similar (intermediate class) – $28/day
• Volkswagen Jetta or similar (standard class) – $29/day
• Ford Fusion or similar (fullsize class) – $29/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for cheapest car rentals in San Diego

There is very little seasonal variation in the price of rental cars in San Diego. Instead, make the most of your budget by booking your car at the San Diego International Airport just north of the city or at Cross Border Xpress near the International Airport of Tijuana. Green Motion and Dollar offer the best prices at the San Diego Airport, though Mex Rent-A-Car at Cross Border Xpress can often beat these prices by $2 to $8 with ongoing discounts.

You can also typically save at least $7 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.

For people who are booking in the months just before their arrival date, keep your eye out for discounts of around 17% throughout the city.

San Diego Airport car rental

When you're planning a trip to San Diego, having a set of wheels to get you around the city and its surrounding attractions is a good idea. San Diego International Airport offers a bustling car rental center with a wide selection of rental car companies, making it convenient for travelers to get behind the wheel upon arrival.

To pick up the best deal on your rental wheels, consider combining your San Diego car rental with hotel or flight bookings. Many rental companies offer special packages that may differ between rental car locations in San Diego County. Additionally, free cancellation policies and options for long-term car rental deals provide flexibility for your trip.

Before you get on the road, make sure you check the rental car company's requirements, including the need for a driver's license and a credit card, and proof of alternative coverage. The lowest prices and best car rental deals in San Diego can be found by doing some research, comparing options, and booking in advance. With a rental car at your disposal, you can explore San Diego and embark on a memorable road trip through California's beautiful landscapes and attractions.

Explore San Diego attractions during your road trip

When you're visiting San Diego, exploring the city's diverse attractions during your road trip is a fantastic way to experience this beautiful region of California. To embark on this adventure, you'll want to consider a car rental in San Diego County, giving you the freedom to get around the city and its surroundings.

San Diego is renowned for its incredible attractions, and having a rental car at your disposal allows you to conveniently visit places like the world-famous San Diego Zoo, located near San Diego's bustling Gaslamp Quarter. The zoo is a must-see destination and one of the many highlights in San Diego.

The Gaslamp Quarter itself is a historic and vibrant district known for its restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Whether you're planning to attend events at the San Diego Convention Center or immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Balboa Park, a rental car can help you get around town and make the most of your visit.

To find cheap car rental rates in San Diego, it's advisable to compare options and choose your preferred car type. Whether you're interested in driving a premium car, a spacious SUV, or something in between, the ability to choose your ideal vehicle ensures you have a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Don't forget to check the policies of the various rental companies, and make sure you know what's included in your rental agreement to avoid any surprises during your road trip. With a rental car, you can navigate California's scenic roads and explore San Diego's world-class attractions at your own pace, creating unforgettable memories along the way.