Car hire in California (UK resident)

Question

Hello we are coming to California in July.

Please can you recommend a reliable car hire company where we can hire a car from LA around 14th July and will need it for around 5 to 6 days. Roughly 14th to 18th July.

Recommendations from people who have actually used these companies please.

1. Do we need to book from the UK for insurance purposes as we are just for holiday.

2. We staying at Marina del Ray and don't want to drive around LA so we hoping to pick car up on our final day in LA (after sightseeing there for 3 days/nights) and then drive up the coast so any tips as to where we could pick the car up easily? We don't need the car in LA as will just be sightseeing and happy to get public transport.

3. Which companies do you recommend please?

4. Any tips we need to be aware of? We would like to drop it off in San Francisco (SF) after our coastal road trip so are aware we need to check additional drop off charges etc

Many thanks

Answer

Hiring a car in California as a UK resident is straightforward, but there are some details to consider, especially if you’re only picking up the car after a few days in LA and planning a one-way trip to San Francisco.

1. Booking and Insurance

It’s highly recommended to book your car in advance from the UK. This ensures you get a confirmed vehicle and can arrange insurance coverage before you travel. UK-issued insurance policies, or the coverage included with your UK credit card, often provide supplemental coverage for rental cars in the US, but check the fine print. Many UK travellers purchase additional insurance either through the rental company or via a third-party provider to cover liability, collision, and theft protection.

2. Picking Up the Car in LA

Since you’re staying in Marina del Rey and don’t want to drive around LA, there are convenient pick-up options:

LAX Airport Rental Offices: Most major rental companies have desks at LAX. You can pick up the car directly at the airport when you’re ready to leave LA. Some hotels near Marina del Rey also offer shuttle service to these offices.
Santa Monica or Marina del Rey Rental Locations: A few rental agencies have city offices closer to the beach. These are smaller than airport locations but may be more convenient if you want to avoid the airport traffic.

Booking city locations often costs slightly more than airport pickup, but saves time navigating LA traffic.

3. Recommended Car Hire Companies

Based on reliability, service, and availability for one-way trips, many travelers recommend:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Very flexible, good customer service, wide network, easy one-way drop-offs.
Hertz: Large fleet, competitive rates, many locations in LA and SF.
Avis/Budget: Reliable, especially for one-way rentals along the California coast, with good online booking tools.
Alamo: Often favored by leisure travelers, competitive pricing, and convenient airport and city pick-ups.

4. Tips for California Car Hire

Book early, especially for July, which is peak tourist season. Cars can sell out, particularly midsize or SUVs.
Check one-way rental fees. Dropping off in San Francisco will likely incur an additional charge; compare rates across companies.
Ensure your credit card covers the rental, or purchase the rental company’s insurance to avoid surprises.
Consider the size of the car: compact cars are easier for city driving in LA, but if you’re driving the Pacific Coast Highway, a mid-size or SUV may be more comfortable for longer stretches and luggage space.
Know the toll systems in California (many are cashless). If you plan to take toll roads, check if the rental includes electronic tolling options.
Fuel policies: most rentals are full-to-full; make sure to refill before dropping off to avoid extra charges.
Check for any additional fees for drivers under 25 (if applicable) or additional drivers.

Overall, the simplest approach is to book your car in advance, pick it up at LAX or a nearby city location after your sightseeing days in LA, and plan for a one-way drop-off in San Francisco while budgeting for the additional fee. This approach avoids city traffic while maximizing your sightseeing time in LA.

Car hire in California (UK resident)

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