Car Rental - Monterey

 

Rent a car in Monterey, California, to discover this scenic city on the coastline, conveniently located between the Cali big hitters of San Francisco and Los Angeles. It may be small, but it hosts two of the state’s most anticipated and prestigious car events, Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

You’ll find our pick-up point for car rental at Monterey Regional Airport located just to the east of the city and a less than 10-minute drive from the center and the coastline. 

A cabriolet is ideal if you want to feel the sea breeze in your hair as you drive along the sensational coastal roads. But, if you’re traveling with the whole family, you may prefer an SUV or hatchback that is both spacious and comfortable, ideal for holiday car rental and those longer journeys. 

Collect your car rental from Monterey and plan a memorable trip along the Californian coastline, including the Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur, two of the most scenic roads in the state. Here, driving is all part of the fun, with incredible views everywhere you travel.

Monterey Locations

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Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

A Quick Guide to Monterey

Seals on Monterey Coast Guard Pier

Coast Guard Pier

Nestled between Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, you’ll hear the creatures that call Coast Guard Pier a home before you see them. Just off to the side there is a colony of sea lions living on the pier, up to as many as 1,500. As you wander the walkway, you’re also likely to spot harbor seals and sea otters.

Lovers Point Beach and Park

Lovers Point Beach and Park

You’ll want to head to this spot at either dusk or dawn because this is one of the best locations on this part of the Californian coastline to watch the sun rise and set. As well as sunbathing and swimming, it’s also an ideal place for surfboarding and kayaking. Take your Monterey rental car and leave it in the handy parking lot while you enjoy the view and the activities.

View of the ocean from Monterey 17-Mile Drive

17-Mile Drive

Take in the dramatic coastal views through the window of your Monterey rental car as you drive along one of the most scenic routes in the US. You’ll begin at Pacific Grove Gate and pass through Del Monte Forest before traveling across to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Look out for The Lone Cypress, a cypress tree that continues to stand tall within the granite rock and is the route’s most famous view.

Monterey Marriott

This Marriott hotel is located on the waterfront overlooking Monterey Bay. Here, you’ll wake up to views of either the glistening waters of the bay or of the downtown skyline, through incredible floor-to-ceiling windows.

There’s also an outdoor pool and 24-hour gym to make use of when you’re not out exploring the city. You can access valet parking on-site, or self-park your Monterey rental car at the nearby East Garage. If you rent an electric vehicle, you’ll find a charging station at the hotel.

Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa

Monterey Bay provides the perfect backdrop at this luxurious beachfront hotel, as you sink into warm water in the couple’s bath suite or in one of the rooftop hot tubs. It’s not only the spa that offers relaxation here; the suites also come with whirlpools as well as sun decks and views across the water.

Valet parking is available for your Monterey rental car and, if you choose to rent an electric vehicle, you can also charge it up at the hotel while you relax.

Portola Hotel and Spa at Monterey Bay

Situated close to Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, this four-star waterfront hotel features nautical-themed rooms. It’s the ideal place to unwind with a spa that offers more than 40 treatments, ranging from a seaweed cocoon wrap to an indulgent aromatherapy massage.

Choose from self-parking and valet parking for a daily fee for your Monterey car rental, with unlimited in/out privileges when you self-park.

Monterey Fish House

Fish is prepared on an oak-fired grill at this seafood restaurant you’ll want to come back to again and again. Start with oysters, followed by snapper, salmon, swordfish or calamari steak. If you don’t want fish there are also excellent steaks and homemade pasta. Save room for dessert, with options including mud pie and tiramisu.

The Sardine Factory

This restaurant, named for the industry that sustained Monterey for many years, promises to make you feel special, stating that ‘every customer has to be treated like the most important person on Earth.’ Take a seat in the conservatory and enjoy your VIP experience where you’ll sample fresh, local dishes including the signature abalone bisque.

Rosine’s Restaurant

This popular place, which has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, has won a number of awards including ‘Best Desserts’ and ‘Best Family Restaurant.’ Since opening in 1980, it has served up hearty, homemade food including soups, pies and cakes – great if you’re looking for some comfort food during your stay in Monterey.

Driving In and Around Monterey

  • The Wharf Parking Lot (93940) is close to Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Coast Guard Pier.
  • Cannery Row Public Parking Garage (93940) is open 24/7 and located near Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium and San Carlos Beach Park.
  • Seaside State Beach Parking Lot (93955) is ideal for parking your Monterey rental car when visiting Monterey State Beach, Sand City Beach and Del Monte Beach.
  • State Route 1 (SR-1), also known as the California Highway and Pacific Coast Highway, continues north just past San Francisco and south past San Diego into Baja California in Mexico.
  • State Route 68 (SR-68) connects to the SR-1 and heads east out of the city, past the airport, continuing to Salinas.
  • 17-Mile Drive is on the Monterey peninsula and is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the country.

There is a toll to access 17-Mile Drive, which will need to be paid at the gate on entry. If you spend more than a certain amount in one of the Pebble Beach restaurants, then this fee will be reimbursed.

How to Get From Car Rental at Monterey Regional Airport to Pebble Beach

It takes around 15 minutes to drive the eight miles from car rental at Monterey Regional Airport to Pebble Beach.

  1. Leave the Monterey Airport car rental parking lot via Olmsted Road.
  2. Turn right onto Monterey Salinas Highway (SR-68) and when the road forks, keep left.
  3. Follow this round to join the Cabrillo Highway (SR-1) and stay on this road before coming off at Exit 399A.
  4. Go straight over the roundabout to join 17-Mile Drive – this scenic route will take you all the way to Pebble Beach.

 

How to Get From Car Rental in Monterey to San Francisco

San Francisco is less than two hours from Monterey when you rent a car. Just take the SR-1 heading north out of the city along the coastline and then join the US-101 which will pass through San Jose.