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Finding a car rental in San Luis Obispo is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers around California with no booking fees. Pick up a car at San Luis Obispo County Airport, downtown or near Cal Poly and be on Highway 1 in minutes for beach hopping or wine tasting in Paso Robles. Reserve early for summer weekends and university events to snag the best selection and low prices.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
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| San Luis Obispo County Airport (SBP) |
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| Downtown SLO |
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| Cal Poly Area |
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Additional Notes: SLO is served by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight routes. The train station is downtown, making city center rentals convenient for rail travelers. During university move-in periods and graduation weekends, rental demand spikes significantly.
On average, car rentals in San Luis Obispo cost around $41 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $29 per day.
Compare airport vs. downtown pickups: SBP tacks on an 11% airport surcharge. If you're already in town, a short Uber to a downtown counter can offset that fee.
Play with dates around Cal Poly events: Graduation, move-ins and Parent Weekends send rates soaring. Shifting your rental by a day or two (or picking up mid-week) often drops the price.
Check weekly pricing even for 4–5 day trips: In SLO a "week" rate is about 20% cheaper per day, so a longer booking can beat a shorter one once you cross the 4-day mark.
Filter by vehicle class, not just brand: Compact or midsize cars usually sit at the sweet spot for SLO's tight downtown streets and fuel prices, plus they're almost always cheaper than SUVs and convertibles.
Where to Park:
Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car to see:
Paso Robles – wineries, vineyards
Pismo Beach – shoreline, clam chowder, dunes
Morro Bay – Morro Rock, seafood restaurants
Hearst Castle
What kind of vehicle is best for exploring SLO County? A standard sedan works well for most visitors. You might want a convertible to enjoy scenic coastal drives or an SUV if you plan to explore more remote areas in Los Padres National Forest.
Is it easy to find parking in downtown SLO? Yes, you can find several parking structures and metered street parking in downtown SLO. Most structures give you the first hour free and charge reasonable rates after that. During the Thursday night farmers' market, you should arrive early because parking fills up quickly.
How far in advance should I book a rental car? You should book at least 2–3 weeks ahead during the summer tourist season. For Cal Poly events like graduation weekend, Parents' Weekend or move-in days, reserve 1–2 months in advance to get the best selection and prices.
Is Highway 1 to Big Sur accessible year-round? You can usually drive on sections of Highway 1 north of San Simeon, but winter storms and landslides can cause closures. These sometimes last for weeks or even months, like recent closures near Paul's Slide and Rocky Creek. Always check the latest Caltrans road conditions and closure notices before you plan this drive, especially during the rainy season.
Can I return my rental outside normal business hours? Airport rental locations usually let you return cars after hours using a key drop box. Downtown locations may offer this service but you need to arrange it with them first. Always take photos of the returned car and fuel gauge for your records.
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