Car rental California
Cancel free of charge
Cancel free of charge
Book in time without risk

You can cancel any booking through us free of charge up to 24 hours before rental.

To cancel, simply let our service team know within our opening hours.

Car rental California

The price comparison that really helps you!

  • Advanced search

Cancellation free of charge

Up to 24h before the start of the rental period.
Learn more.
Hint
Book in time without risk

You can cancel any booking through us free of charge up to 24 hours before rental.

To cancel, simply let our service team know within our opening hours.

Oliver: “Simple and reliable processing. Everything worked flawlessly.”

1 of 284 ratings for California
Hint
50846 reviews

Satisfaction with MietwagenCheck: 4.8/5

All reviews on MietwagenCheck are from our customers who have booked on our platform.

Save thanks to price comparison

Rental car Avis Hertz Enterprise Rental car Sunny Cars Rentalcars AutoEurope DerTour National AutoEscape Sixt Interrent Holidayautos Budget Argus Carhire and many more...
Over 50 car rental suppliers at more than 140.000 rental car stations worldwide.

Questions from our customers about car rental in California Questions from our customers

That's why travelers choose Driveboo

Booking in only 3 steps. Simple and transparent. Booking in only 3 steps. Simple and transparent.
Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up. Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up.
Personal advice from our experts. Personal advice from our experts.

In California we recommend the following car rental offers

from 35 $ per day
Basic package

Good offers for a small budget

Intermediate
e.g. Volkswagen Jetta
15 Days from 31.08 - 14.09.2024
Example vehicle
from 35 $ per day
Economy

Small, agile and economical - that's all it takes!

e.g. Ford Fiesta
15 Days from 31.08 - 14.09.2024
Example vehicle
from 37 $ per day
Mini

Alone on the road or only with small luggage? Then this will be sufficient!

e.g. Chevrolet Spark
15 Days from 31.08 - 14.09.2024
Example vehicle

Rent a Car in California

If you are looking for an unforgettable and varied holiday, California is the right choice. Book a cheap rental car and visit the many sights. The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles is particularly recommended. Disneyland and the Santa Monica Pier are also located here. Another "must-see" is in San Francisco: the sight of the legendary Golden Gate Bridge delights thousands of tourists every year. You can rent a car in numerous cities in California such as Malibu, Los Angeles or San Francisco. In addition, rental cars are also available at the airports.

Explore California with a rental car

The secrets and gems of the Golden State can be most conveniently explored with a rental car. Driveboo will definitely be helpful here—check out the offers of all local car rental companies and book your rental car in California online. Part of the Pacific Region, California, also referred to as the Golden State, is the most populous state in the US. Californian tourist attractions range from the glamour of Hollywood in Los Angeles to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to the never-ending summer of Santa Cruz.

California offers a diversity of landscapes providing the ideal conditions for an array of outdoor activities such as golfing, surfing, fishing, and bike riding. With a plethora of hiking trails of varying difficulty, California is a paradise for those who enjoy spending their free time outdoors.

San Francisco

Los Angeles

San Diego

What is the best time to travel to California?

California is a year-round destination offering weather ideal for all types of tourists. Basically, the time of the year that you should choose is dependent on the activities that you have planned for your stay. Most of the state is characterised by a Mediterranean-like climate. On the coast, the average temperature is somewhere around 21 degrees Celsius. However, the state also offers warmer areas.

Where can I rent a car in California?

In California, renting a car won’t be a problem. The major car hire companies are all easily found in all of the larger towns and cities around the state. However, the most convenient way is to take advantage of the car rental spots at the airports.

Renting your car at one of the airports in California will allow you to start your journey without any delays. With DriveBoo, you will get a detailed overview of all the best offers and available cars!

Major airports in California include:

Do I need an international driver's license to hire a car?

Fortunately, the US has entered into an agreement with most EU countries. The agreement is supposed to be a guarantee that your national driver's license is enough to move around California in a rental car. However, bear in mind that some car rental companies will only rent vehicles to holders of an international driver's license, so it is better to apply for this far ahead of your trip so that you can enjoy a peaceful stay in California.

Speed limits in California

Type of road Maximum speed in mph Maximum speed in km/h
Multilane freeways 65 mph 105 km/h
Two-lane highways 55 mph 90 km/h
City streets 35 mph 55 km/h
Residential areas/areas around schools 25 mph 40 km/h

Additional information concerning driving around California

Driving and texting:

Californian law forbids writing, sending, and reading text messages while driving. However, drivers can use hands-free devices while talking on the phone.

Emergency situations:

In order to report an accident or get help, you should call 911.

Seatbelts:

Wearing seatbelts is mandatory for the driver and any passengers.

Drinking and driving:

The permissible blood alcohol limit is 0.08‰. Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered one of the most serious offences in California.

Carpool lanes:

Carpool lanes are identified by the special diamond-shaped pattern painted on them. You should also lookout for the black-and-white signs that will provide you with information about when you’re allowed to use the carpool lanes (usually on weekdays during rush hours). These hours have to be observed at all times. However, remember that there must be at least two people (including the person driving the vehicle) in the car.
Remember, some carpool lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area have a three-person minimum.
Using the lanes when you do not have the required number of passengers may lead to high fines of up to $ 400. Carpool lanes in California have specific zones for entering and exiting the lanes.

Explore the highlights of California with a rental car

Renting a car in the State of California will be the most convenient way to explore the whole of this vast and fascinating region. Those who seek some peace and quiet away from the bustling Californian metropolises should head for Yosemite National Park. It is considered the US’s most picturesque and charming national park. It offers diverse terrains, including towering mountain tops, deep valleys, rivers, and stunning waterfalls. Families with children should definitely consider a visit to Disneyland. It can be found in Anaheim and is seen as a top destination for families. Inside, you will have a unique opportunity to forget about the outside world and delve deeper into the realm of rides, roller coasters, and Disney-themed sets.

Death Valley is one of California’s best-known attractions. It offers some of the most inhospitable areas on Earth. It mostly consists of dry patches of land, huge sand dunes, and barren mountains. However, this unique landscape is truly worth a visit.

Car hire California - Discover attractions

Another interesting Californian attraction is Big Sur. It is a charming stretch of scenic coastline that will bring all holidaymakers back to nature. The area around Big Sur offers a wide selection of outdoor activities, such as hiking, bike riding, fishing, and even golfing.

Holidaymakers seeking calm environments, breathtaking views, and green spaces should definitely travel to Lake Tahoe, which is a blast of clear blue water surrounded on all sides by snow-covered peaks. The whole area is home to great ski resorts. Therefore, the lake is a year-round destination.

If you have explored the natural gems of the region and are ready to head for the cities, you should consider visiting Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, Palm Springs, or Sacramento.

Frequently asked questions about car rental booking California

How much does a rental car in California cost?

⌃
Street in San Francisco

Explore California with a cheap rental car

A cheap rental car is available from as little as 239 $ per week. We compare the prices of all major car rental companies and show you the best deal for California to make your trip a complete success.

Book a small car for California

Particularly popular are small cars, which you can rent from as little as 256 $ per week, because with them you can fit into even the smallest parking space.

Book a family car

 If you are traveling to California with the whole family, a family car is also suitable, which you can rent from 244 $ per week.

Discover California with a convertible

 If you like to travel topless, a convertible rental car is available for 383 $ per week. The Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles is particulary nice to explore with a convertible.

Book a rental car for one day

If you only need a rental car for one day, you can rent it for as low as 35 $ per day.

In California, Rentalcars.com offers the cheapest car hire.

Where can I book a rental car in California?We offer rental car bookings in various cities and airports in California. This way, you are particularly flexible.

⌃
Golden Gate Bridge

Drive over the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francicso

We offer rental car bookings in various cities and airports in California. This way, you are particularly flexible.

Book a rental car in the cities of California

Book a rental car at the airport

What is the minimum age to rent a car in California?

⌃

You can already book your own rental car at the age of 21. To do this, simply enter the age in the search mask and select the appropriate rental car for your plans in California. For drivers under 25 years, there is usually a so-called "young driver fee", which is usually already included in the displayed rental price.

What is there to consider when driving in California?

⌃
Skyline San Diego

Take the traffic laws into consideration

Enjoy a stress-free trip to California by following the applying traffic rules.

  • Speed Limits: Business and residental districts: 25 mph, Two-lane undivided Highways 55 mph, Highways or interstates    Between 65 – 70 mph
  • Alcohol: For drivers older than 21 the limit is 0.08%, For drivers who are under 21, the legal limit is 0.01%.
  • Driver’s license: A current valid driver’s license from a foreign country is sufficient.
  • Toll roads: In California you may have to pay a toll. You can pay the tolls using The Toll Roads app or online at TheTollRoads.com. Sometimes cash is accepted as well.

Can I pick up the rental car in California and return it at another location?

⌃
Coronado Bridge San Diego

We offer one-way rentals

You can also return the rental car to a car rental agency at another location in California, such as Malibu or San Francisco or even in different states. To do this, simply change the return location in the search mask and look forward to an exciting road trip. For the so-called one-way rental, additional fees apply.

If you plan to be on the road longer, you can specify an additional driver. This way you can take turns driving the rental car and everyone can enjoy the view for once. In some offers, an additional driver is already included in the rental price.

Can I cancel the rental car free of charge?

⌃

If you decide not to go ahead with your trip as planned, you can cancel the rental car free of charge up to 24 hours before the start of the rental period. In case the Corona Virus and therefore possible travel restrictions prevent you from travelling, you are on the safe side. Thanks to the option to cancel your rental car free of charge, you are particularly flexible.

Satisfaction with MietwagenCheck
50843 Reviews

4.8/5

284 Experiences of our customers in California

Rating of Sara D.

“Great new car and absolutely hassle free online ordering process. Recommendable.”

Rating of Dennis F.

“Very friendly and fast handling, Navi even set up in German, everything great!”

Rating of Ronny F.

“Very friendly employees. Nice, fun conversation and very helpful tips.”

Rating of Janine F.

“Response to inquiries by mail answered comprehensively and very friendly....was not available...sklasse. The station is very well signposted....Return was easy and very fast...”

Rating of Seth F.

“Super service! From A-Z everything has worked well. The Nissan Pathfinder was very spacious for the two of us and has accompanied us reliably for 3 weeks over 5,800 km! Both the pickup and the delivery also went smoothly.”

Rating of Daniel R.

“Everything worked out fine!”

Your data is safe with us

Comodo Certificate