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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find rental car offers in San Clemente. Compare rates and make bookings in one place. Simple. Browse live deals from local agencies and nearby airports like John Wayne SNA and pick anything from an economy runabout to an SUV that fits surfboards. Book in minutes and cruise the Pacific Coast Highway, hit Disneyland or visit San Diego on your own schedule.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| San Clemente Local Agencies | • No airport fees • Enterprise location on Avenida Pico • Possible hotel pickup service |
• Limited business hours (often 8AM-6PM weekdays) • Limited weekend hours or closed Sundays • Smaller vehicle selection |
| John Wayne Airport (SNA, 40 km / 25 miles) | • Closest major airport to San Clemente • All major rental companies available • More vehicle options |
• Airport fees add approximately 10-15% to rates • 30-40 minute drive to San Clemente • Traffic on I-5 can extend travel time |
| San Diego International (SAN, 97 km / 60 miles) | • All major rental companies • Good international flight connections • 24-hour service |
• Longer distance to San Clemente • Airport fees and surcharges • I-5 traffic can be significant |
On average, car rentals in San Clemente cost around $81 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $23 per day.
Compare local vs. airport pickup: San Clemente city agencies avoid the 10-15% airport surcharge. A rideshare from John Wayne (≈$45) can still leave you ahead if you're renting 3+ days.
Travel outside peak beach months: June-August is pricey. Slide your trip to September or early October for summer-like weather and rates that often drop 20% or more.
Book the smallest class, then watch for upgrades: outside high season, compact cars sell out first, and desks frequently bump you to a midsize at no extra cost.
Use free cancellation and re-shop: prices swing with surf contests and holidays. Rechecking our comparison grid each week can snag a lower rate before you pay.
Weeklong rentals = built-in discount: in Orange County a 7-day booking can be only 10% above a 4-day price, so extend the reservation if you're close to a week.
Skip prepaid fuel: gas stations along Avenida Pico and El Camino Real are competitively priced, so filling up yourself beats flat-rate fuel packages.
Finding a spot in San Clemente:
Beach access:
Local Driving Rules:
Get a rental to see:
Dana Point Harbor – Catalina Island ferry, waterfront dining
Laguna Beach – art galleries, tide pools
Disneyland Resort – theme parks, shopping
Carlsbad – LEGOLAND, outlet malls
What's the parking situation at San Clemente beaches?
At most San Clemente beaches, you can pay for metered parking ($1–2/hour) or use day lots (around $15). Near the pier, you can find street parking and a paid lot. State beaches will charge you a day-use fee. We recommend you arrive early (before 10 AM) on summer weekends to get a better parking spot.
Are there toll roads around San Clemente?
Yes, you can take the CA-73 toll road. It starts just north of San Clemente (at I-5 in San Juan Capistrano) and is another option instead of I-5 if you're traveling toward Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. If you're in a rental car, you should register its license plate on TheTollRoads.com within 5 days of using the toll roads. This will help you avoid extra fees from the rental company.
Is it better to rent at John Wayne Airport or in San Clemente?
If you want a car right when you land, renting at John Wayne Airport is very convenient. For longer stays, you might save money if you compare prices between airport rentals and local ones in San Clemente, even when you include the cost of getting to town. Local rental places don't charge the 10–15% airport fees.
When is the best time to visit San Clemente?
In September and October, you'll get warm weather, beaches with fewer people and not much morning fog. Spring (April–May) is also a nice time to visit. Summer has the warmest beach weather, but you should expect more crowds and higher prices for rental cars.
How bad is the traffic between San Clemente and Los Angeles?
You can expect heavy traffic between San Clemente and Los Angeles during rush hour (6–9 AM going north, 3–7 PM going south). The drive can take you 1 to 2 hours, depending on how bad the traffic is. On weekends, traffic can be hard to predict but it's usually not as bad as on weekdays.
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