Cheap Rental Car Deals in San Diego Intl.

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 Hits: Staying 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 Town: After 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

*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.