Cheap Rental Car Deals in San Diego Intl.

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Cheap Car Rentals in San Diego

Sunny days are here to stay. Well, at least as long as you’re in town. And while you could hitch a lift on public transit or get on the ride share apps, who has the time when you’re ready to explore Southern California to its fullest? When SoCal is calling in its most surfer-y accented voice, you’ve gotta get a car rental in San Diego and get going.  

Taking a last-minute getaway to America’s Finest City means you deserve to snap up the best Hotwire Hot Rate deal on a car rental at San Diego airport. Because once those wheels have touched down in town and you’re in the driver’s seat of your rental ride, there’s no pumping the brakes on the good times ahead.   

Now that you’ve got the sun on your face (don’t forget to lather up on the SPF) and that salty breeze is in your lungs, there’s only one question to contemplate: Where to first? 

Hit the Gas on Sun Diego 

Play the Greatest HitsStaying within the SD city limits still leaves plenty to do, especially when you have your own wheels to get you around town. Feeling beachy? From the easily accessible island vibes of Coronado Beach to the lively scene of Pacific Beach or the dog-friendly, slightly hippie feel of Ocean Beach, there are plenty of places to take your car rental in San Diego to get your toes in the sand and do some proper wave gazing. If you want to cruise around dry land, the walkable downtown Gaslamp Quarter is where you’ll find blocks and blocks of bustling nightlife, while Balboa Park is home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and 1,200 acres of museums, greenspace, gardens, and historical architecture. Now, make sure to fuel up—there’s a lot more to “sea” here. 

Drive the Coast with the Most: As incredible a time as you’ll have rolling around San Diego, you’ll be even more thrilled to pick up your rental car at San Diego airport for another big reason—the classic California road trip. You can hop on the famed Pacific Coast Highway north of SD in Orange County and take in a ton of the scenic seaside bluffs and vast ocean vistas all the way up the state’s coastline. If you want to keep your road miles to a minimum, trip it up to LA (about two hours away, depending on the notorious traffic), over to Palm Springs (around 2.5 hours on the road), or down to Mexico. Tijuana is just 30 minutes from San Diego, and the seaside town of Ensenada is two hours from SD. 

Outdoorsy Outta TownAfter you’ve gotten your fill on city life and sand in your swimsuit, outdoorsy types can get their nature on by steering their way to some nearby environmental attractions. Borrego Springs is less than two hours from the city and is a desert dwellers’ paradise, with hikes in the Anza-Borrego State Park, wild metal sculpture dotting the valley, and trails to tear it up on an ATV. Another desert hot spot is Joshua Tree (about three hours away), the closest national park to San Diego. It’s known for its rugged landscape, namesake trees, and outdoor escapades—from hiking and biking to horseback riding. Want to get a little lusher? You can catch some mountains and greenery about an hour from town at Cleveland National Forest and Mount Laguna. 

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego

How to get last-minute hotel deals in San Diego?

Once you’ve secured the cheapest weekly car rental in town, you’ve got to find the best spot to hang your hat. Luckily, scoring last-minute hotels in San Diego is a breeze when you book a Hotwire Hot Rate, even if you need a place now-ish. In fact, the longer you wait to book a Hot Rate Hotel, the bigger the savings get. You can save an average of 60% versus booking a listed rate two weeks earlier. So if you’re looking to save a ton of cash on an unbelievable hotel on your SD getaway (even at San Diego hotels close to the airport), reserve an unbooked 4-star hotel room at a 2-star price and get more than you expected with Hotwire Hot Rates.

Which car rental companies are at San Diego International Airport?

When you’re planning your last-minute San Diego getaway, you’ll probably have your eye on the best car rentals at the San Diego airport or maybe the cheapest car rentals at the San Diego airport. But why not both? When you book a Hotwire Hot Rate car deal, you’ll save an ocean of money and get way more than you bargained for. Really a best-of-both-worlds sitch. And if you aren’t sure which rental car companies are at San Diego airport, don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of choices to get you on the road in minutes. You’ll find Avis in San Diego, Enterprise Rental Cars San Diego, as well as Hertz Rent-a-Car San Diego and Thrifty Car Rental San Diego Airport.

Where is the car rental center at San Diego airport?

Ready to hop in your San Diego car rental at the airport and don’t want to wander aimlessly? To pick up your San Diego airport rental car, you’ll need to jump on a shuttle and pop on over to the nearby Consolidated Rental Car Center. You’ll find all of the San Diego airport rental car agencies located there. And when it comes time, it’s also where you’ll find the San Diego airport car rental return. Now, get on the road and go explore America’s Finest City.

Is it safe to travel to San Diego during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis?

With COVID-19 fluctuating closures and reopenings, you’re probably wondering is it safe to travel to San Diego. When it comes time to book your last-minute trip and get a San Diego airport rental car, make sure to check the latest coronavirus info on safety measures, closures, and guidance on traveling during coronavirus.

*Savings are based on actual Hot Rate® car rentals made from airport pick-up locations as compared with the lowest published rates found on leading retail travel sites. Prices are dynamic and vary based on the booking date and length of the car rental. There is no guarantee these savings or rates will be in effect at the time of your search. Availability is limited. Hot Rate® cars are different from retail rates. With Hot Rate® cars you enter the location, date, and car class. The car rental company is revealed only after booking. All bookings are final.