Car Rental El Cajon, CA

FAQs

What's the best place to rent a car if I'm staying in El Cajon? If you're flying into San Diego, you can rent a car at the San Diego International Airport. It has the most cars to choose from, but you'll pay extra airport fees. For better prices, check out the Enterprise, Hertz or Budget locations right in El Cajon, especially if you can get a ride there. Renting at the airport usually costs about 15–20% more, but they have more cars to pick from.

Do I need a special type of vehicle for driving to Julian or other mountain areas? For most of the year, you can use any regular car for mountain drives. But, if you visit Julian or Mount Laguna in the winter (December to February), snow is possible. You should think about renting an SUV or a car that sits higher off the ground. You might need chains during snowstorms, but rental companies usually don't let you use chains on their cars.

How far is El Cajon from San Diego's main attractions? El Cajon is about 18 miles (29 km) (a 25 to 30 minute drive) from downtown San Diego. It's 20 to 25 miles (32 to 40 km) (a 30 to 40 minute drive) to popular beaches like Mission Beach and La Jolla. The San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are about 16 to 18 miles (26 to 29 km) away (a 25 to 30 minute drive). You should plan for extra time if you're driving during rush hour.

Is there public transportation I can use instead of renting a car? From El Cajon, you can take the trolley (light rail) to get to downtown San Diego. It's a great way to visit downtown spots. However, if you want to get to the beaches, mountain areas or northern San Diego County attractions, it takes a long time and you often have to make many transfers. We really suggest renting a car to explore areas the trolley doesn't reach.

Can I drive to Mexico from El Cajon? Yes, the San Ysidro border crossing is about 28 miles (45 km) from El Cajon. However, most rental car companies won't let you drive into Mexico unless you buy extra Mexican car insurance. Some rental companies don't allow it at all. You could also park in a secure lot on the U.S. side and walk across the border.

What should I know about driving in the mountains near El Cajon? The mountain roads around Julian and Mount Laguna have a lot of curves but are kept in good shape. You should drive carefully, especially on sharp turns where you can't see what's ahead. Also, know that your GPS might stop working in some spots. In the winter, check the road conditions before you leave, since snow can close roads like Sunrise Highway and Highway 79. Bring water and make sure you have a full tank of gas before you go, because there aren't many gas stations in the mountains.

How does weather affect driving conditions in and around El Cajon? El Cajon has very hot summers, so you will want a car with good air conditioning. In the winter, the mountains east of El Cajon can get snow, so you need to drive carefully there. It doesn't rain often, but when it does, the roads can get slick after being dry for a long time. There can also be a big temperature difference between the coast in San Diego and El Cajon. It's often 10 to 15°F warmer in El Cajon during the summer.

Are there any scenic drives worth taking from El Cajon? Yes, you can take several beautiful drives from El Cajon. The Sunrise Highway on Mount Laguna gives you amazing views of the desert and the mountains. Highway 79 to Julian is a nice drive through oak forests and mountain areas. If you want to see the desert, you can keep going east on I-8. It will take you down the steep Mountain Springs Grade to the desert floor.