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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers in San Pedro, California. Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Pick up a ride near the Port of Los Angeles cruise terminal or at LAX and Long Beach Airport, then cruise to Cabrillo Beach, downtown LA and beyond. We pull real-time prices from Enterprise, Hertz and other top brands so you can lock in a low rate before you set sail.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 581152
Location Type Pros Cons Notes
San Pedro Local Branches • Lower rates (no airport fees)
• Close to cruise terminal
• Free shuttle to/from cruise port
• Limited hours (usually 8AM-6PM)
• Closed on Sundays
• Smaller vehicle selection
Enterprise (Harbor Blvd) and Hertz (W 6th St) both offer cruise terminal shuttle service
LAX Airport • Largest vehicle selection
• 24/7 operations
• All major companies
• Approximately 18 miles (29 km) from San Pedro
• Higher rates due to airport fees
• Longer travel times to reach San Pedro
Good option if flying into LAX
Long Beach Airport • Closer than LAX (14 miles / 23 km)
• Less congestion
• Easier pickup/drop-off process
• Fewer vehicle options
• Limited late night availability
• Still includes airport fees
Alternative airport option for San Pedro visitors

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in San Pedro?

On average, car rentals in San Pedro cost around $77 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $29 per day.

How to pay less?
  • Price-check local branches vs airports – San Pedro neighborhood depots skip LAX/Long Beach airport fees and toss in free cruise-port shuttles, often 15 – 20 % cheaper.

  • Watch the calendar, not just the clock – Cruise or summer rush? Secure a deal 3-4 weeks out. January-February or other lull periods? Track prices and book 7-10 days before when flash discounts pop up.

  • Compare "weekly" vs "daily" tabs – Rentals of 5+ days can flip into a weekly rate that beats stacking single days, even if you hand the keys back early.

  • Match pickup/drop-off to your cruise timetable – Shift the booking by a few hours so you're not paying an extra day while the car sits in port parking.

  • One-way to the airport can still win – If you're flying out, a San Pedro→LAX or Long Beach drop may cost less than rideshares for the whole crew; compare suppliers for low or waived drop fees.

Local Parking and Driving

San Pedro offers various options for where to leave your car:

  • Downtown San Pedro: Mix of metered street spots and public lots

  • Port Areas: Dedicated cruise lots available for cruise passengers

  • Beaches: Cabrillo Beach has paid lots

  • Residential Areas: Street spots available but watch for permit-only zones

  • Speed Limits:

    • Residential streets: 25-35 mph
    • Major roads (Gaffey St, Harbor Blvd): 35-45 mph
    • Highways (I-110): 65 mph
  • Port Traffic: Watch for commercial vehicles and truck traffic near port areas
Why rent a car in San Pedro

Rent a car to easily:

  • Cabrillo Beach & Point Fermin – tide pools, lighthouse, Korean Bell of Friendship

  • Palos Verdes Peninsula – coastal drives, hiking trails, ocean overlooks

  • Long Beach – waterfront, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary

  • Downtown Los Angeles – museums, Staples Center, cultural districts

  • Disneyland (Anaheim) – theme park

Driving Distances from San Pedro

FAQs

What rental companies are available in San Pedro?

Enterprise (Harbor Blvd) and Hertz (W 6th St) have offices in San Pedro. Dollar and Thrifty don't have offices in San Pedro anymore. You can find their nearest ones in Torrance or Long Beach.

Do rental companies offer shuttle service from the cruise terminal?

Yes, both Enterprise and Hertz in San Pedro give you a free shuttle ride to and from the World Cruise Center. Their offices are about 5 minutes away.

When is the best time to rent a car in San Pedro?

You'll find the lowest rates from January to February, which is outside the busy cruise season. Renting a car in the middle of the week is usually cheaper than on the weekend.

Are rental locations open on weekends for cruise arrivals/departures?

Most rental offices are open on Saturdays for fewer hours and they are closed on Sundays. You should plan ahead if your cruise gets in or leaves on a Sunday.

Is it better to rent at San Pedro or at the airport?

If you're a cruise passenger, renting in San Pedro is easier and usually costs less than renting at the airport. They also provide a shuttle ride to the cruise terminal.

What's the minimum age to rent a car in San Pedro?

You have to be at least 21 to rent a car. If you are under 25, you will also pay a "young driver" fee of about $25–30 a day.