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Find low rental car prices in San Diego with Road Genius. Check live rates of SUVs, hatchbacks, people movers and reserve with no booking fees. Compare San Diego car rental deals at the SAN Rental Car Centre, city centre and Mission Valley to reduce fees and choose the most convenient pickup. The airport shuttle to the Rental Car Centre runs 24/7, and city centre locations often avoid the airport concession fee.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego International Airport (SAN) | Centralised Rental Car Centre with all major companies; frequent free shuttle (~5 minutes) from terminals; convenient for flight arrivals | Requires shuttle transfer; airport concession fees increase price; allow extra time when returning due to shuttle |
| San Diego City Centre | Major agencies in walkable area; ideal for Amtrak or cruise arrivals; avoids airport concession fee; only ~3 miles from SAN | Potentially shorter office hours than airport; street/garage parking needed for pickup/return |
| Mission Valley | Several centrally located branches; often lower rates than airport; convenient for Hotel Circle stays | Limited hours (often closed Sundays); may require rideshare or transit to reach |
On average, car rentals in San Diego cost around USD $66 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from USD $19 per day.
Compare airport vs city pickup: City centre or Mission Valley locations can avoid SAN’s 11.1% airport concession and the ~$6/day facility charge. Mission Valley often has limited hours, so match your pickup day to save.
Time it to the season: Book early for summer, Comic-Con and Spring Break. Off-peak, keep checking rates and rebook if prices drop.
Pick the smallest car that fits: Economy/compact cars are usually cheaper, easier to park at beaches and in the city centre, and sip less fuel.
Check weekly pricing: For 5+ days, a weekly rate often beats the daily total.
Compare one-way options: Within California, drop fees vary by direction and season. Check both directions and multiple return cities to find lower or waived fees.
Use local fuel and toll tricks: Fill up on Harbour Drive before returning to avoid higher airport petrol prices. Most SD routes are toll-free; if you use SR-125, pay the toll online to skip rental processing fees.
| Location | Parking Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre/Gaslamp | Metred street spaces and paid car parks | Metres: 8 AM-6 PM Mon-Sat (free Sundays) Evening spaces available at car parks |
| Balboa Park | Free car parks throughout the park | Fills up by mid-day on weekends and holidays |
| Beaches | Mix of free, metred and paid car parks | La Jolla: Free street spaces but limited Pacific/Mission Beach: Free car park at Belmont Park |
| Coronado | Free street spaces near Hotel Del Coronado | Watch for 2-hour time limits in business district |
| Old Town | Free car parks | Can fill up on weekends; overflow car park available |
| Theme Parks | Paid car parks | SeaWorld: paid on-site spaces Legoland: paid on-site spaces |
Headlights required if using windscreen wipers during rain
San Diego County has one toll road, the South Bay Expressway (SR-125) in the south county
Rent a car to see:
La Jolla – beaches, Mt. Soledad
Coronado – Silver Strand, Hotel del Coronado
Balboa Park & San Diego Zoo – museums, gardens
Cabrillo National Monument – Point Loma
North County – Legoland, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Historic Highway 101 – Del Mar, Encinitas, Oceanside
How long does it take to pick up a rental car at San Diego International Airport?
You should plan for 15-20 minutes to get from the terminal to the rental counter. You'll need to take a shuttle bus to the Rental Car Centre. The shuttle runs every few minutes, 24/7.
Can I take my rental car to Mexico?
Most rental companies won't let you drive their cars into Mexico. If you want to go to Mexico, you'll need special permission and Mexican insurance from the rental company, but many don't offer it. Some travellers find it easier to park at the border and walk across.
Where are the best places to park in the San Diego city centre?
If you're going to the Gaslamp Quarter, you can find several paid car parks that charge about $10-20 for the evening. You can also find street parking with metres. The city enforces these until 8 PM in most areas and until 10 PM in parts of the Gaslamp. Parking is free on Sundays. If you need to park for a longer time, look for car parks near Horton Plaza or the Convention Centre.
Do I need a special vehicle for visiting the desert or mountains?
A standard car is fine for most paved roads. If you're taking a winter trip to the mountains like Julian or Palomar, you should check the weather first. You might need chains if it's snowy. For desert trips, any car with good air conditioning will do the job.
What's the best route to avoid traffic when going to Los Angeles?
To avoid the worst traffic, you should leave early in the morning (before 6 AM) or after the morning rush (after 9 AM). The I-5 is the most direct way, but it can have a lot of traffic. You can save a lot of time using the HOV/carpool lanes if you have other people in the car.
Is there a discount for returning the car to a different location within California?
Some companies let you do one-way rentals inside California and will reduce or even remove the drop-off fee, especially between major airports. It depends on the company and time of year, so you should check when you book.
How much should I budget for toll roads in San Diego?
San Diego doesn't have many toll roads, unlike Orange County. The main one is the SR-125 (South Bay Expressway), which costs about $3-4 each time you use it. You can get to most tourist spots without using any toll roads.
What's the parking situation at San Diego beaches?
At most beaches, you'll find both free street parking and paid car parks. La Jolla Shores and Coronado offer free parking, but the spots fill up early on summer weekends. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach have a large free car park at Belmont Park. You should try to arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends to get a spot.
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