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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare rental car prices from major providers in San Rafael with Road Genius. From affordable cars to luxury SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices in convenient locations. Choose a downtown pickup to avoid airport surcharges or browse deals at SFO and Oakland for seamless arrivals and book a few weeks ahead during summer or wine harvest season to secure low rates and the vehicle you want.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| San Rafael City Locations | • No airport fees • Multiple providers (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis) • Convenient to downtown hotels • Often lower base rates |
• Limited business hours (usually 8am-6pm) • Most closed Sundays • Transportation needed to reach location • Smaller vehicle selection |
| San Francisco Airport (SFO) | • Larger selection of vehicles • 24/7 availability • All major rental companies • Convenient for air travelers |
• 10% airport concession fee • 30-40 miles (48-64 km) from San Rafael • Bay Bridge toll when returning • Traffic concerns during commute hours |
| Oakland Airport (OAK) | • Often less crowded than SFO • Good selection of vehicles • Potentially lower rates than SFO • No bridge crossing to San Rafael |
• 10% airport concession fee • 30-35 miles (48-56 km) from San Rafael • Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll • Need to arrange transportation |
On average, car rentals in San Rafael cost around $72 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $48 per day.
Compare pick-up points: San Rafael city branches usually skip the 10% airport concession fee and the Golden Gate/Richmond bridge tolls you'd pay when collecting at SFO or OAK. Price out both options before clicking "book."
Mind the calendar, not just the clock: Summer, holiday weekends and wine-harvest (Aug-Oct) push rates up fast, so booking 2-4 weeks ahead helps. In quiet winter months you can score cheaper last-minute deals.
Check weekly vs daily rates: A 5-day trip often costs nearly the same as a 7-day rental. Run both quotes and grab the cheaper math.
Skip the toll package if you'll cross bridges once or twice: Pay the cashless toll online within 48 hours instead of shelling out a daily transponder fee.
Where to Park:
| Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Rafael | Metered | • Time limits usually 2 hours • Enforced most weekdays and Saturdays • Free on Sundays and some holidays |
| Public Parking Lots | Paid | • Several city lots in downtown • C Street garage centrally located • Some businesses offer validation |
| Shopping Centers | Free | • Northgate Mall and other centers offer free spots • Time limits may apply at some locations |
| Parks and Recreation Areas | Paid | • Day use fees apply at locations like China Camp State Park and McNears Beach • Annual passes available for county parks |
| Commuter Lots | Free | • Park and ride lots at freeway exits • Limited time restrictions (usually 72 hours max) |
Important Local Driving Rules:
Book a rental so you can drive to:
Point Reyes National Seashore – beaches lighthouse wildlife
Muir Woods National Monument – redwoods boardwalks
Napa Valley – wineries vineyards
Sonoma – tasting rooms plaza mission
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge museums waterfront
Mount Tamalpais State Park – summit trails views
Is it better to rent a car in San Rafael or at San Francisco Airport?
If you're staying in San Rafael or northern Marin, you can save money on airport fees and possibly avoid bridge tolls by renting a car locally. The San Francisco airport adds an 11% rental car fee plus other charges. But if you fly into SFO, you might decide that picking up your car right away is worth the extra cost. Rental places in San Rafael are closer to where you're staying, but they often have fewer cars to choose from and aren't open as late.
How do I handle bridge tolls when renting in Marin County?
You can't pay with cash on the Golden Gate Bridge or the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge. Most rental companies have a toll program that adds about $5 to $6 for each day you use a toll road. You can also pay the toll yourself online within 48 hours using the car's license plate number. If you plan to cross the bridges often, ask the rental company if your car has a FasTrak pass.
Do I need a special vehicle for visiting Point Reyes and coastal areas?
A regular car works for all the main roads in Marin County, including Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Point Reyes and Highway 1 along the coast. The roads are paved, but some parts are winding and narrow. You might be more comfortable in a car that sits higher off the ground, like an SUV, for some unpaved beach parking lots, but most visitors don't need one.
What's the best vehicle for wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma?
A midsize or standard sedan is a good choice. It's comfortable for the drive and looks fine when you arrive at wineries. In an SUV, you can see the scenic vineyards better, but you don't need one for the well-paved roads. The most important thing is to have a designated driver or book a tour if you plan to taste wine.
Is it difficult to find parking in downtown San Rafael?
You'll find it's usually easier to park in downtown San Rafael than in San Francisco. There is plenty of metered street parking and several public lots and garages. You can find covered parking right in the center of town at the C Street garage. During business hours on weekdays, expect to pay $1 to $2 per hour, and street parking usually has a two-hour limit. You can usually park for free downtown in the evenings and on Sundays.
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