Car Rentals in San Francisco

San Francisco is a diverse and cosmopolitan city, and a popular international tourist destination. Look for a great deal on a San Francisco rent a car while exploring famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Chinatown. San Francisco car rentals are easily accessible at all three Bay area international airports including San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. The most popular hub for flying directly into the city, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), is located 13 miles south in San Mateo County. This international gateway is the largest international terminal in North America, and offers San Francisco car rentals from Payless, Thrifty, Dollar, Alamo, National, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz. The cheapest rates can usually found at Payless, Thrifty, and Dollar. Most major rental agencies also offer several downtown locations. Try National or Alamo on Valencia Street for the best deals.

You must present a valid driver's license and credit card issued in your name at most San Francisco rent a car agencies, along with proof of insurance if you decline the vendor's coverage options. Usually age requirements are 21 for compact and economy cars, 25 for all others, and an additional young driver charge may apply for anyone under 25. All California rental cars must be kept within state lines with exceptions for Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, Nevada, after advance notification and approval. Be prepared for perpetually-clogged traffic, confusing one-way streets downtown, and parking that is extremely scarce and expensive. Oversized vehicles such as pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and recreational vehicles should not attempt to pass through the winding stretch of Lombard Street, known as "The Crookedest Street in the World".  When parking on one of the city's many steep hills remember to always apply the parking brake and turn your wheels so that the tires are against the curb. Failure to park properly risks having your car roll downhill, and will almost guarantee a costly ticket.