San Diego Car Rental

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Car Rental in San Diego

Rent a car in San Diego and experience a city that mixes a laid-back Pacific coast surfer vibe with a big dose of Mexican cuisine, history and culture.

San Diego is filled with premier attractions and events such as Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Mission Beach, Comic-Con, and much more. Perched on the Pacific Coast, car rental in San Diego lets you discover this beautiful city and California beyond.

Hertz has car rental pick-up locations across the city, including San Diego International Airport – a 10-minute drive from the city’s Convention Center, located in the Marina district of downtown San Diego, near the Gaslamp Quarter.

If your plans include driving up to the coast to Los Angeles, you can choose to drop-off your San Diego rental car at one of the many Hertz locations in the area for no extra charge.

We have a wide range of vehicles for you to rent, including compact hatchbacks for city driving, sedans for luxurious cruising, and muscle cars for California road trips to areas like San Francisco and Santa Barbara.

Explore San Diego’s best tourist attractions and enjoy year-round warmth while driving around in style with a Hertz San Diego car rental.

Popular Vehicles to Rent in San Diego

A BWM series 2 car model

Cars

  • 4-5 Passengers
  • 2 Suitcases
  • 3-5 Doors 
A Range Rover SUV model

SUVs

  • 5 Passengers
  • 2-4 Suitcases
  • 4-5 Doors 
A convertible MINI car

Convertibles

  • 4 Passengers
  • 2 Suitcases
  • 2 Doors

San Diego Car Rental FAQs

There are plenty of places to park your rental car in San Diego, from on-street parking to parking lots dotted across the city – like the Convention Center, San Diego Zoo and the Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego has one of the most fully developed freeway systems of any urban area in the state. It has six north-south freeway routes along Interstate 8, as well as six east-west freeway routes along Interstate 5.

The main roads and freeways in San Diego include:

  • Interstate 5: Montgomery Freeway / San Diego Freeway – This starts at the International Border at San Ysidro and extends north along the San Diego County coastline.
  • Interstate 8: Ocean Beach Freeway / Kumeyaay Highway – This is the region’s main east-west route. It follows Old U.S. 80 from the Imperial Valley into the county near In-ko-pah, then travels west into San Diego.
  • Interstate 15: Escondido Freeway /Avocado Highway – A key route for commuters, this freeway comes into San Diego from the Inland Empire near Temecula.

It takes just six minutes to drive the 1.8 miles from Balboa Park to San Diego International Airport in your rental car:

  1. Drive west on El Prado toward Sixth Avenue
  2. Continue onto Laurel Street
  3. You should now reach your destination.

Top Tips for Driving a Rental Car in San Diego

To rent a car in San Diego, you must be at least 21 years old and carry a valid driver’s license – this can be from your home country. Some rental companies may charge extra for drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 years, and there may be some restrictions on the cars you can rent. Take a look at the rental policy before picking up your car, as you may be required to provide additional documents like proof of reservation.

Always research the driving laws in the location you’re traveling to, so you can avoid any fines or sanctions. Here are some laws to bear in mind when driving your rental car around San Diego:

  • The first vehicle to arrive at an intersection has the right of way unless there’s a stop or yield sign, which all drivers must adhere to.
  • If another driver, pedestrian, or cyclist arrives at the same time as you at an intersection, whoever is on the right has right-of-way.
  • Everyone must wear a seatbelt – from babies to adults.
  • Children aged 8 years old and under, who are 4’9’’ or less, must ride in a booster seat or at least be secured with a seatbelt.
  • Headlights must be turned on when it’s dark. You should also use them when weather conditions like fog, rain or snow affect visibility.
  • Using a phone while driving your rental car in San Diego is prohibited unless you’re using a hands-free set-up. Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use cell phones at all, even hands-free.

Here’s a breakdown of the speed limits in San Diego: 

 

Cars

Residential roads

25 mph

Urban highways

65 mph

Rural highways

55 mph

School zones

25 mph

Business districts

25 mph

 

Find out more about the local rules in our San Diego driving guide.

Be mindful of the rush hour times when driving around San Diego in your rental car. This is usually from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM going North and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM going South during weekdays. On Fridays, rush hour typically begins at 2:00 PM. The I-405 (San Diego Freeway) is a big traffic hotspot and is known as one of the most congested freeways in the country. 

Plan ahead to avoid driving your rental car during busy times. Listen to traffic reports and try alternative routes if needed.

You can get a Hertz car rental from San Diego International Airport or hop on a shuttle bus into the city and pickup your rental from one of our HLE centers like Oceanside Blvd Hle or West Vista Way Hle.

Visit our support center for more information and advice.  

A Quick Travel Guide to San Diego

San_Diego_Zoo

San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Voted the number-one zoo in the world, San Diego Zoo houses more than 3,700 animals spread out over 100 acres in Balboa Park. Spend the day visiting amazing habitats for animals such as gorillas, Komodo dragons, tigers, flamingos, polar bears, birds of paradise, giant tortoises, elephants, and more.

Comic-Con

Comic-Con

111 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

This microcosm of comic book, gaming and entertainment culture has become one of the States’ most popular annual attractions. More than 130,000 attendees descend on the San Diego Convention Center over a July weekend to feast on the latest movies, games and comics alongside the biggest names. You can park your San Diego rental car in the underground parking lot for easy travel.

Balboa_Park

Balboa Park

Balboa Park Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 92101

The city’s largest historic landmark is also one of San Diego’s best cultural hotspots. With green spaces, museums and the world-famous San Diego Zoo among its tenants, Balboa Park is, of course, also the place where you’ll find a copy of the Rocky Balboa statue.

Catamaran Resort Hotel

3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Overlooking Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, this Polynesian-themed resort hotel is great for families, and just an eight-mile drive in your San Diego rental car from the airport.

Pendry San Diego

550 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Situated in the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, the Pendry is perfectly placed and its luxurious rooms and rooftop pool are ideal for unwinding. It’s just under a 15-minute drive from our San Diego Airport car rental location, so you can get to exploring in no time.

The Sofia Hotel

150 W Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

Conveniently located in downtown San Diego, this popular hotel is right near the historic Gaslamp Quarter and Amtrak Station – so journeys are easy in your San Diego rental car. Offering relaxing spa services, contemporary guestrooms and an on-site restaurant, the Sofia Hotel is an ideal option for travelers looking for a comfortable, central base.

Little Lion Café

1424 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

A brilliant brunch stop with some seaside air to start the day, or a fantastic way to cap off an evening? Either way, Little Lion has got you covered. Best of all, it’s only 10 minutes away from our San Diego Airport car rental office.

Juniper and Ivy

2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Little Italy is packed with foodie fun, and Juniper and Ivy is just one of the highlights. The menu is as diverse as they come; try the beef tartare with creamy truffle mayo or the heavenly squash blossom.

Born and Raised

1909 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Another of Little Italy’s most satisfying stops, Born and Raised serves up steak dinners amid a Roaring Twenties decor and stunning views of the harbor. With a journey time of just 10 minutes, you can park your San Diego car rental nearby and indulge in delicious grub.

Fancy a Road Trip from San Diego?

 

Take a road trip from San Diego to Los Angeles to experience picturesque ocean views and an exciting drive along some of El Camino Real or 'royal road'. The journey takes around two and a half hours.

Here’s how to get from San Diego to Los Angeles in your rental car:

  1. Start on Third Avenue then head onto the I-5 North towards Los Angeles.
  2. Continue onto San Diego Freeway then take exit 85A for CA-73 North towards Long Beach.
  3. Merge onto I-405 then exit onto I-605 North.
  4. Then take exit 11 to merge onto I-5 North/Santa Ana Freeway towards Los Angeles and take a slight left onto US-101 North.
  5. Then take exit 2B towards Alameda St/Union Station and continue onto FastTrak Express Lanes Toll Road West.
  6. From there, just continue onto East Arcadia Street, turn left onto North Spring Street then left again at Rambi Bazar onto West Temple Street.

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