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Car Rental - California
On this page
- Locations: Discover where to pick up your car rental across California, including at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- Fleet: Browse the types of vehicles available to rent in California, including convertibles and luxury cars.
- Things to do: Discover the best place to hike and the best theme park for your family in California.
- FAQs: Find out the minimum age to rent a car in California and if you can take your rental to Mexico.
Renting a car at California
Rent a car in California to explore world-famous landmarks, stunning beaches and major cities in the Golden State. California car rental lets you reach cities and sites with ease, and discover hidden gems along the way.
Hertz has a wide range of pick-up locations across the state, including Los Angeles, where Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits about 17 miles from downtown, around 30 minutes depending on traffic. Hit the West Coast waves on our Surfing California road trip with a one-way rental, or extend your stay in the Golden State with a long-term car rental.
Choose from a range of California car rentals, from convertibles for the coast road to a luxury car for a special trip.
California rental locations
California rental car options
Popular vehicles to rent in California
Things to do in California
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Collect your California car rental from Los Angeles International Airport and take a short 30-minute drive to Universal Studios Hollywood. There's plenty to do for the whole family. Step into a world of magic at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or power up your play at Super Nintendo World.
Enjoy a Studio Tour of the world's largest working movie studio, included with your theme park ticket. During the tour, you can take a behind-the-scenes look at where many iconic films and TV shows were and still are filmed, including the Jupiter's Claim set from the film Nope.
Disneyland Park
Anaheim, CA 92802
A magical adventure awaits you and your family at Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA. Explore uniquely themed lands, including the colorful worlds of Mickey's Toontown and the fairy-tale worlds that bring classic Disney stories to life at Fantasyland.
Keep your whole family entertained with attractions including rides, firework displays, character experiences and live entertainment. Top attractions include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.
There are plenty of dining options and shops selling everything from mementos to official Disney merchandise onsite too. Onsite parking is available for your California car rental.
Yosemite National Park
California, United States
Pick up your California car rental from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and take a 1-hour, 20-minute drive to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks, with stunning views, hiking trails and camping opportunities.
Explore over 750 miles of trails, or take a scenic drive along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile route from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. Set up camp at one of ten onsite campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers, or choose a lodging option, from simple tent cabins to deluxe rooms.
Long term car rental
Book a long-term car rental with Hertz and reserve a California car rental for a month or longer. Wave goodbye to rigid return dates and keep your car rental for as long as you need, with a range of options including SUVs and convertibles.
One-way car rental
One-way car rental makes it easy to explore major cities in and around California without backtracking to your original rental location. Pick up your car rental from Sacramento, stop by San Francisco, then drop it off at your final stop in San Jose. The choice is yours.
Business rental
Easily access California's major business districts, such as the San Francisco Financial District, with a business rental from Hertz. Choose from a range of premium car rental options to help you make a lasting impression, and earn points on rentals with Hertz Business Rewards.
Popular road trips from California
California is a great starting point for a road trip, with an extensive highway network providing direct access to a variety of major attractions and iconic scenic routes.
Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
94.8 miles & 1 hour, 50 minutes
Take a 1-hour, 50-minute drive from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara via US-101 North. Along the way, admire stunning ocean views and scenic coastal towns. Once you arrive in Santa Barbara, wander the well-kept grounds of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, home to a variety of native California plants.
San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea
123 miles & 2 hours, 30 minutes
Drive 2 hours, 30 minutes from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea in your California car rental, through rolling valleys and agricultural towns. Once you arrive, enjoy a peaceful stroll along Carmel River State Beach, then grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants on offer.
FAQs when renting a car in California
How much does it cost to rent a car in California?
The cost of renting a car in California varies depending on the vehicle type, rental length, pickup location and time of year. Refer to the booking widget [jumplink: #booking] on this page to see the live pricing details for your selected dates.
Can I rent a car in California with a foreign driver's license?
If your driver's license was issued outside of the US, you'll need a valid driver's license and a valid passport with the same name displayed on your foreign driver's license. If your driver's license isn't in English, an International Driver's Permit is recommended.
You aren't allowed to rent a car in California with an International Driver's Permit alone.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in California?
You must be at least 20 years old to rent a car in California with Hertz. A Young Renter fee may apply to drivers under 25, who also cannot rent vehicles from the Dream Car, Prestige or Adrenaline Collections.
Do I need insurance to rent a car in California?
Hertz offers the following protection options:
- Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS)
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
- Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)
Refer to the Hertz Support Hub for a full breakdown of coverage options.
Can I take a Hertz rental car across state lines or into Mexico from California?
You can usually take a standard car rental out of California. Check with your insurance company about out-of-state coverage. You cannot take your Hertz car rental into Mexico from California. Crossing the US-Mexico border in your rental car is forbidden.
Can I rent a car for a month or longer in California?
Yes. You can rent a car for a month or longer in California with Hertz. Long-term and monthly car rental is available via the Hertz Support Hub. Refer to the booking widget on this page for more pricing information.
What types of car can I rent in California?
You can rent a range of cars in California with Hertz, from coastal drives and desert road trips to mountain routes and city drives. Refer to the vehicles section on this page for more information.
Where can I pick up a Hertz rental car in California?
Hertz has a wide range of pickup locations across California, including major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs. Refer to the locations section on this page for further details on every major city and airport location across the Golden State.
Other Car Rental Locations in California
