California car rentals
Search hundreds of rental car sites at once for car rental deals in California
Save up to 36%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.
Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.
Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.
Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.
Cheap car rentals in California
Top tips for renting a car in California
- California is an incredibly vast and geographically diverse state, so there are some important things to remember when deciding about renting a car here. One thing to keep in mind is the type of driving you'll be doing in your rental car. If you will be staying in a major city, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, a compact car is a great idea for traveling short distances and being able to find places to park when you arrive. If you will be traveling over long distances or you will be taking part in many of the outdoor adventures you can find in the state, a van or an SUV would be a better choice. There are some parts of the state that can have snowy and icy roads during wintertime, especially in some of the mountainous regions, so plan your rental accordingly if you are renting during this time of the year.
- When you are driving a car in California, it is important to remember the laws governing children riding in cars. In California, if a child is two years old or younger, they must ride in a car seat that is rear-facing. The exception to this rule is if the child weighs more than 40 pounds or is more than 40 inches tall. For any children that are under the age of eight, they must sit in a car seat or a booster seat in the backseat. Any passenger in a vehicle that is over sixteen years old is subject to California's Mandatory Seatbelt Law.
- Because California sits right on the border with Mexico, a question that often comes up is if a rental car can be driven into Mexico. Most rental car companies will let you take your car into Mexico but the rental will have certain restrictions, such as the need to purchase additional insurance to legally drive the car in Mexico. It is also important to remember that most rental car companies will not allow you to book one-way rentals into Mexico.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in California for $41 or less
- Book your rental car in California at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in California are around 7% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Full-size rental cars in California are around 93% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in California
Should I rent a car in California?
The choice about whether or not to rent a car in California comes down to how you plan on traveling while you are in the state. If you plan on staying in a large city, you can usually rely on public transportation or other transportation options, such as taxis and rideshare cars. While you can find public transportation options or flight options to take you longer distances in the state, in general, having a car is a much more convenient way to travel long distances in the very large state of California. Even if you plan on staying in a major city, if you will be making long trips from one side of the city to the other, a car is going to be a very convenient way to do that.
What is driving like in California?
Driving in the larger cities in California, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, can be a bit of a challenge for those that are not accustomed to driving here. You will often find very heavy traffic during many times of the day in and around the center of all the cities. For those that are not accustomed to trying to merge on and off congested freeways, this type of driving can be somewhat nerve-wracking. There are several toll roads that you will find throughout the state of California, especially as you get into major cities, so take that into account as you plan your route.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in California?
For the most part, most rental car companies will let anybody that is twenty one years or older rent a car. A couple of exceptions to this age limit is if you plan on renting a luxury car or a premium SUV. In this case, the rental car company may expect you to be twenty five years old to rent a car. This age limit may also be imposed if you plan on using a debit card for your rental rather than a credit card.
How much does it cost to rent a car in California?
On average a rental car in California costs $54 per day.
What is the most popular rental car in California?
Standard (Ford Edge or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in California.
What is the cheapest car rental company in California?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Fox ($25/day), Europcar ($27/day) and Hertz ($28/day).
What is the best rental car company in California?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in California are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.3, 128 reviews), Alamo (7.9, 112 reviews), and Avis (7.2, 86 reviews).
How can I find car rentals near me in California?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in California?
On average a rental car in California costs $401 per week ($57 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in California?
On average a rental car in California costs $1,718 per month ($57 per day).
Car rental locations in California
Car rental directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in California
33 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in California
23 Locations
Budget car rental locations in California
11 Locations
Avis car rental locations in California
10 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in California
7 Locations
Dollar car rental locations in California
6 Locations
Sunnycars car rental locations in California
4 Locations
Alamo car rental locations in California
3 Locations
Easirent car rental locations in California
3 Locations
National car rental locations in California
3 Locations
Airport Van car rental locations in California
2 Locations
Europcar car rental locations in California
2 Locations
Good to know
Most popular agency | Fox |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Full-size |
Average price | $53/day |
Good deal | $41/day |