California car hire

From entertainment to beaches, beautiful wilderness to rugged coastlines, and cities to vineyards, this enormous state has it all...

Most visitors arrive at San Francisco Airport (SFO), Los Angeles Airport (LAX) or San Diego Airport (SAN), and from here they pick up their car and begin their holiday.

Car hire in California allows you to make the most of every aspect of 'the sunny state'. The extensive freeway system is perfect for those who want to take their rental car up to Sierra Nevada or drive north to San Francisco via the scenic town of Carmel. A car is a must-have if you want to experience the enormity of the Golden Gate Bridge or sip a Californian red in the wineries of Central and Silicon Valley.

With a huge choice of places to see and things to do, we have rounded up some of the most popular options...

Many people come to California to visit the star-studded pavements of Hollywood in LA and as any resident will tell you, absolutely everyone in LA drives - it's the only way to fully explore this sprawling city. You can park up and shop till you drop in Rodeo Drive or drive down to Venice Beach to work on your tan and cool down in the sea.

If you've got the time and the transport, there is really no end to the things to see and do in California. As one of the most populous states in the US, this destination is packed with sights, entertainment and culture. 

Take a dip in Lake Tahoe or go for a leisurely drive around Orange County, Santa Barbara or Santa Cruz. You could also go and see the world-famous prison of Alcatraz.

Visiting families will love San Diego Zoo, as well as days spent at Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios. Whatever you choose to do, it's safe to say that you'll come home with some incredible memories of this beautiful state.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.