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Car hire California

Save time and money. We compare the offers of car rental companies in California on your behalf.

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Why book with us?
  • Free cancellation Up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled pick up time
  • Best price guarantee Have you found a better price? Let us know and we will make you a better offer.
  • Already 500,000+ bookings More than half a million people preceded you 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
  • 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
We compare all well-known suppliers

Car hire California

121CarHire.com California is an independent car rental comparison site. Our system compares prices from well-known car rental companies so as a customer you can always book your rental car trough us at a competitive rate.

Car rental offers in California

Whether you're looking for a small rental car or a station wagon for the entire family, we will always have a suitable vehicle for the lowest price. Below are some examples from our selection in California.

Car type
Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
Passenger van
Convertible
SUV
Electric

Recent reviews

Our customers rate us a 8.8/10 out of 1344

When to book a rental car in California

Car rental locations in California

121CarHire.com compares rental car rates at the following locations

Location information for California

Only two other American states boast bigger populations than California, and few other states rival California's popularity. Most people immediately picture surfing beaches, Hollywood celebrities and constant warm sunshine when thinking about California. However, this vast state contains much more in its varied landscapes, people and things to do, many of which can only be reached with car hire in California.

Transport

[transport]

Few places are as tailor made for the automobile as California, but it's always suggested that visitors compare car hire offers online and book ahead of time. Flying is the only other way to quickly travel across this vast state, though there are three Amtrak rail lines. California's 100 Greyhound bus stations are cheaper and more commonplace than rail service, but bus journeys can be long and uncomfortable.

Car Hire California

There are no fewer than 25 companies offering car rental in California, from small local dealerships to internationally famous chains like Avis, Budget and Hertz. Unfortunately, not all of these companies will supply vehicles to drivers under 25 years old, and the companies that do rent to younger motorists will charge them extra fees.

Driving

It takes at least 10 hours to drive from one end of California, a state the size of Sweden, to the other. Interstate 5 is the fastest of California's main roads, but motorists will find the coastal scenery of Route 101 and California State Route 1 far more beautiful and memorable. Although large California cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco are notorious for their traffic gridlock, California driving is otherwise easy and enjoyable.

Things To See and Do

California State Route 1, better known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is one of America's most famous and beautiful roads. The Pacific Coast Highway begins south of Los Angeles and ends over 1,000kms later in Mendocino County north of San Francisco. Motorists will encounter the Golden Gate Bridge, scenic Big Sur, Santa Barbara, redwoods and several more California sights in between.

Best Time To Visit

Southern California is the best place to encounter California's stereotypical hot, dry and sunny weather. Other parts of the state may have less predictable weather, such as northern California which tends to be quite rainy. The Shasta Cascades and High Sierras are the only Californian regions that frequently see snow since they are mountain ranges. San Francisco's notorious fog is usually at its worst in summer.

Practical information

  • Currency
    United States Dollar
  • Driving direction
    Right
  • City speed limit
    25 - 70 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    90 - 130 km/h
  • Language
    English
  • Popular car category
    SUV

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

Is 121CarHire.com the cheapest?

Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.

What do I need to do when picking up a car?

To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.

Are there any additional costs?

In general, our rates are all-inclusive. Should there be any additional costs, our booking department will get in touch with you before issuing the invoice. Should you object, you can always cancel your reservation with no obligations attached (at least 48 hours in advance).

What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?

In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.

What is a worry-free label?

Only rental companies with a high level of customer satisfaction are eligible to be included in our Worry-Free selection. This rate includes excess cover and unlimited kilometres. Your vehicle will be provided and must be returned with a full tank of fuel. With a vehicle from our Worry-Free selection, you can travel with peace of mind and no hidden costs.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).

When will I get a confirmation of my booking?

Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).

Which car rental companies are compared by 121CarHire.com at this location?
  • National Car Rental
  • Alamo
  • Enterprise
  • Sixt
  • Dollar Rent a Car
  • Hertz
  • Avis
  • Budget
  • Thrifty
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