Car Rental - Downey

 

Rent a car in Downey, California to travel the Gateway Cities and into central LA. Downey is the birthplace of the Apollo space program and many visitors flock here to visit the immersive Columbia Memorial Space Center.

The city is also a great base from which to explore Disneyland Park, 20 minutes south, Chino Hills State Park and the rest of blissful Orange County. Car rental makes it easy to tour Downey’s attractions and reach Downtown Los Angeles, only a 20minute drive north.

This is one of America’s most dynamic urban areas, a place designed for car travel – with places such as Gardena, Long Beach and Beverly Hills all within a 40-minute drive of Downey. Choose the perfect car rental for your plans, whether that’s a sedan, convertible, pickup or a family-size SUV.

Choose Hertz car rental in Downey today and start your journey with us online.

Downey Locations

A Quick Guide to Downey

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Casa de Parley Johnson

7749 Florence Avenue, CA, 90240

Discover Downey’s historic side at this historic Monterey-style house. Step inside to get an insight into a very different Southern California lifestyle, rooted in the 1920s and 1930s. There are pristine gardens, fountains and balconies which once overlooked 50 acres of orange groves.

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Columbia Memorial Space Center

12400 Columbia Way, CA, 90242

Downey is heralded for its aerospace legacy, fully on display at this interactive space museum, housed on the site where the Apollo Space Command service modules were constructed. Visit to see the Apollo Boilerplate 12 test vehicle, robotic innovations in action and learn to launch and land your own model rockets.

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Seal Beach

900 Ocean Avenue, CA, 90740

Downey’s location makes epic beach days easy, with Seal Beach less than a 30-minute drive away from the city center. This coastal city in Orange County features white sands and popular surf spots. Walk the pier to soak in the coastal views or explore the leafy nearby parks.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Los Angeles Downey

8425 Firestone Boulevard, CA, 90241

Like all of Downey’s best hotels, Embassy Suites prides itself on proximity to many of Los Angeles County’s freeways. There are plenty of amenities to keep you and your family content back at the hotel, such as a fitness center, indoor pool and spacious, accessible suites that sleep up to six. Parking for your rental car is available for $17 per day.

Residence Inn by Marriott La Mirada Buena Park

14419 Firestone Boulevard, CA, 90638

This extended stay hotel is ideal if you’re traveling for business, thanks to its location next to I-5, or simply prefer a little independence while in town. There’s an outdoor pool, beauty shop and on-site laundry. In the air-conditioned suites, you’ll find full-size desks, kitchens and separate living areas. With complimentary on-site parking, it’s easy to pull up in your Downey Rental car and make the most of the excellent facilities.

Quality Inn Downey

9438 Firestone Boulevard, CA, 90241

Located in central Downey, the Quality Inn offers spacious and cozy rooms, complete with king or queen-sized beds. Choose a room with a whirlpool bath or hot tub that you can sink into after a long day on your feet. The signature Comfort Sunshine Breakfast will also set you up for a day of sightseeing.

The Olive RestoBar

8820 Apollo Way Suite 104, CA, 90242

Mediterranean cuisine is served al fresco at the Olive RestoBar. You can enjoy the signature farmer’s omelet – stuffed with caramelized onions, portobello mushrooms and topped with avocado – outdoors on cool Californian mornings. If you swing by for dinner, there’ll be hummus aplenty, plus dolma, falafel and shawarma meats.

Dirt Dog Downey

9414 Firestone Boulevard, CA, 90241

This Los Angeles and Las Vegas-exclusive outlet has an eatery in Downey, where you’ll find flavorful dogs of all stripes. Choose from bites loaded with special house sauce, chimichurri sauce or chipotle aioli, or wrapped in bacon. There’s a veggie dog too, plus flaming corn to dig your teeth into.

Gloria’s Cocina Mexicana

7401 Florence Avenue, CA, 90240

A mariachi band regularly perform at this restaurant and create a lively atmosphere as you enjoy delicious Mexican food. Hearty burritos, tacos and fajitas are all on the menu, alongside a range of seafood dishes. Breakfast is also available and includes the classic ‘Huevos Albanil’ dish – scrambled eggs with spicy salsa.

Driving In and Around Downey

  • Downey Public Parking (90240) offers free parking at several lots in central Downey. You’ll find spaces close to Dennis the Menace Park, Downtown restaurants and Downey Theatre.
  • 9027 Gallatin Road Parking (90240) is another useful Downtown lot, close to several takeout restaurants. On the other side of Gallatin Road, there’s an electric vehicle charge point.
  • City of Bell Gardens Public Parking (90201) is just north of Downey, close to Marlow Park. Overnight parking is not permitted in Bell City.

 

  • California State Route 19 (CA-19), known as Lakewood Boulevard, runs through Downey and leads right to the Columbia Memorial Space Center. South, it connects to the San Diego Freeway near Long Beach Airport, while Pico Rivera lies north-east.
  • Interstate 105 (I-105) starts just south of Downey and leads west to Los Angeles International Airport.
  • Interstate 5 (I-5) travels north of Downey. It leads south from the city to Disneyland. Further away, this major highway connects with San Diego in the south and Sacramento north along the Californian coast.

 

How to Get to Downtown Los Angeles From Downey in Your Rental Car

It takes 30 minutes to drive the 14 miles from Downey to Downtown Los Angeles.

  1. Leave the Hertz Downey car rental lot and turn right onto Firestone Boulevard.
  2. At the traffic lights, use the two left lanes to merge onto I-605 N.
  3. Stay in the right lanes and take Exit 11 I-5 N / Santa Ana Freeway towards LA.
  4. Follow this road and then, at the fork, keep left and head onto US-101 N.
  5. Turn left onto East 4th Street which will take you towards Downtown.

 

How to Get From our Downey Car Rental to San Diego

San Diego is just under a two-hour drive.. From the Hertz Downey car rental on Fireside Blvd, take the I-605 N. Then, take I-5 heading south and stay on this road, following the Californian coastline into the city.

 

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