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Car rental Oakland
At a glance
Locations: Find all the Hertz pick-up locations in Oakland, including at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.
Fleet: Browse the full range of vehicles available to rent in Oakland and find the right one for your trip.
Things to do: Discover the best place to hike in Oakland and how a rental car can get you there.
FAQs: Find out everything you need to know about renting in Oakland, including long term rentals and FAQs.
Renting a car at Oakland
Car rental in Oakland, California, makes it easy to explore the natural landscapes of the East Bay’s largest city. Admire impressive views of Lake Merritt or head to Redwood Nature Park for some of the best hiking opportunities in the county.
With Hertz, you can choose from a range of SUVs and minivans to fit the whole family or cruise around the city in style with a convertible or sports car. With a choice of locations across Oakland, you can pick up your rental car from Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport or one of the other three locations across the city.
Our offices are open 24/7 so you can also drop off your Oakland car rental at a time that suits you, whether that’s when you’re done exploring for the day or before you catch your flight home. Start your Californian adventure with Hertz car rental in Oakland today.
Oakland rental locations
Oakland rental car options
Popular vehicles to rent in Oakland
Things to do in Oakland
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Oakland, CA 94611, United States
Take a 10-minute drive from Oakland in your car rental to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. This nature reserve is often considered an Oakland hidden gem, offering hikers and nature lovers a wholesome day out. Grab your hiking boots and set out on the 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, or take the Briones to Mt. Diablo Region Trail that serves the communities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek. There are plenty of trails to explore, whether you’re hiking or biking. Free parking is available for your Oakland car rental. There’s also a paved wheelchair path north of the visitor center.
Wood Tavern
6317 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Around a 10-minute drive from Downtown in your Oakland car rental is Wood Tavern. This rustic restaurant has been serving the Oakland community since 2007. Stop by for lunch and choose from a range of dishes, including the hot pastrami sandwich or seafood stew. Dinner options include grilled ribeye steak, scallop risotto, and pan-roasted half chicken. Reservations are encouraged for lunch and dinner, but diners are free to drop by midafternoon and order from the modified lunch menu; no reservation required. The dessert menu includes plenty of tempting sweets, from cornmeal shortcake to homemade ice cream or sorbet.
Oakland Marriott City Center
1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Just a 10-minute drive from the airport in downtown Oakland, the Marriott City Center is a convenient base for Oakland travel. The hotel provides easy access to many of the city’s notable attractions, including the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE), just a short walk away. vAside from the hotel’s prime location, the complex features 500 rooms and suites with plush bedding, soundproof windows and modern amenities. Guests can also upgrade to the hotel’s private M Club Lounge for an elevated lounge experience. Pets are welcome at the hotel, with the option to upgrade to the Pampered Paws Package.
One-way car rental
At Hertz, we understand that not every adventure ends where it starts. That’s why we offer one-way car rental that lets you explore without backtracking to the original location. Just pick up your rental in Oakland, then venture to cities like San Francisco or take a road trip across California.
Business rental
Visiting Oakland on business? Reserve a business car rental with Hertz for a smooth trip. Pick up your rental car from Oakland Airport and easily reach the central business district, Downtown Oakland, in around a 10-minute drive. Skip the line and get to business faster as a Hertz Gold+ member.
Popular road trips from Oakland
Oakland to Napa Valley
Set out in your car rental from Oakland to Napa Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass sites like Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. There are plenty of things to do in Napa Valley, from dining at Michelin-Star restaurants to taking a scenic hot air balloon ride.
Oakland to Yosemite National Park
3 hours & 156 miles
Set out on a three-hour drive in your rental car from Oakland, passing near Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve and Shiva-Vishnu Temple along the way. Make a quick pit stop, then continue to Yosemite National Park, home to deep valleys, grand meadows and vast wilderness.
Oakland to Las Vegas
8 hours & 557 miles
Take a trip to the ‘entertainment capital of the world’, Las Vegas. The total drive time is around eight hours, with the option to stop at Hallow Hills Wilderness and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area along the way. Then visit attractions like the High Roller and The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
FAQS when renting a car in Oakland
Is car rental in Oakland worthwhile?
Yes. Renting a car in Oakland can be worthwhile, especially if you plan on exploring the surrounding area. Car rental means you can easily access popular destinations like Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and drive to nearby cities such as San Francisco.
How to get from the Oakland airport building terminal to the rental car building?
To get to the Hertz rental car building at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, exit the terminal doors to the Hertz Car Rental trailer in the parking lot. Hand over your rental agreement, then hop on the shuttle bus to the lot, around 15 minutes away.
How long does it take to get a rental car in Oakland?
Getting a rental car in Oakland typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes. The exact length of time can vary depending on whether you’re travelling during peak travel times and how big the counter line is. Hertz Gold+ members can skip the line, choose a rental and go.
How much would a rental car cost to drive from Phoenix to Oakland, CA?
Drive from Phoenix to Oakland, California, with one-way rental from Hertz. With one-way car rental you can travel from Phoenix to Oakland without having to backtrack to Phoenix. To see how much the journey could cost, start a booking for your selected dates online today.
Is there free parking in Oakland?
Yes. There is free parking in Oakland. You can park in Downtown overnight for free. There’s also free parking near the outskirts of Downtown. Additionally, parking is free in the city on Sunday and on select holidays such as New Year’s Day.
Do you need AWD in the Bay Area?
No, you don’t need AWD to drive the San Francisco Bay Area. However, having an AWD could be useful in case you need it. For example, an AWD may come in handy for driving during heavy rain.
What is the 3 second rule in California?
The three-second rule helps to ensure drivers keep a safe following distance and avoid collisions. The idea is that you should keep three seconds between vehicles. This can give you enough time to react if another driver makes a mistake.
