San Clemente car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in San Clemente

Discover the best prices and deals for your travel.
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
* These are the best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours and may change
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Clemente car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San Clemente with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in San Clemente?

You should book your car hire in San Clemente around 65 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in San Clemente?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San Clemente are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (10.0, 2 reviews), Hertz (6.2, 3 reviews), and Dollar (5.6).
Dollar
Dollar
Rated 5.6/10
Thrifty
Thrifty
Rated 5.6/10

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Clemente?

The cheapest month to hire a car in San Clemente is February at an average cost of R596/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Clemente when prices are R929/day on average, which tends to be 2 011% above the yearly average hire price for San Clemente.

Which car hire company in San Clemente has the most locations?

Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz operate 2 locations each in San Clemente, more than any other car hire company.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in San Clemente

  • Whether you're visiting San Clemente for pleasure or business, renting a car is your best bet. When compared to public transportation, renting a vehicle from one of the reputable car rentals in San Clemente will allow you to navigate and get to your desired destinations faster. You can drive within the city to the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a Spanish-style home with community events. You can drive less than 30 minutes outside the city to San Clemente State Beach, a windy beach with several campgrounds and scenic views.
  • You can rent a car upon arrival at John Wayne Airport, the primary airport serving San Clemente, as the airport has on-site and off-site car rental providers. The car rental desks are located on the arrivals level of the main terminal, directly across from the John Wayne monument. If you choose to rent a car from an off-site agency, most will provide a free shuttle service from the airport's ground transportation center to the off-airport car rental facility. Remember to check with your off-site rental provider ahead of time to see if they offer pick-up services before making your reservation.
  • Driving your rental car in San Clemente is a pleasurable experience thanks to the city's excellent highways and freeways. You must drive cautiously, especially when approaching the central business district, which is always congested because it is the main commercial and entertainment hub. On its major roads, the city also has high-occupancy vehicle lanes, which require at least two people to be in the car when driving in these lanes. Pay more attention to the weather in the winter because the city gets a lot of snow. It is recommended to carry a flashlight and a supply kit in case of an emergency because the cold and wet conditions create black ice, increasing the risk of an accident.
  • Even though traffic in San Clemente is rarely severe, major roads leading into the city are frequently congested during rush hour. The city's rush hour is usually from 6 am to 8:30 am, with peak congestion from 7 am to 7:30 am, and rush hour in the evening is usually from 5 pm to 7 pm. When approaching major interchanges, keep an eye out for traffic lights, as most of them are equipped with cameras to catch reckless or overspeeding drivers.

FAQs about hiring a car in San Clemente

  • How can I find car hires near me in San Clemente?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in San Clemente?

    An Economy car hire in San Clemente costs R530 per day, on average.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in San Clemente?

    If you're visiting the city for pleasure and intend to take a road trip along the California coast, a convertible is a fun option, especially when the weather is nice. A convertible top car allows you to drive while enjoying the California sun and scenic views on the road. However, a minivan is a good option if you're traveling with the entire family because it has enough space for everyone. If you're visiting during the winter, consider renting a powerful SUV to help you navigate the icy roads.

  • What is the speed limit in San Clemente?

    Different San Clemente roads have different speed limits. In the city center, the speed limit is typically 35 miles per hour, but it may be reduced to 25 miles per hour in certain residential, school, or hospital areas. Depending on where you are, the speed limit on urban roads and two-lane highways range from 55 mph to 65 mph. The rural interstate highway speed limit is 70 mph. Always watch out for roadside posted speed limits to avoid being handed a speeding ticket.

  • What are the best places to park in San Clemente?

    Parking for your car rental in San Clemente is easy because the city has on-street parking meters. San Clemente street parking is paid for from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday, but it is free after those hours, on Sundays, and public holidays. There are, however, other paid parking lots and garages throughout the city where you can park your San Clemente rental car safely. These garages include the Cascadia parking garage, San Clemente Metrolink station, and Beach Club Road parking.

San Clemente car rental reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

10,0

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

2 locations in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

1002 N El Camino Real

+1 949 366 1161

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

26181 Avenida Aeropuerto Ste B

+1 949 487 9075

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

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Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

michael, May 2024

Luxury

KAYAK
Staff was great, got me in and out quickly.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was fantastic both at the beginning and at the end of the rental. My husband left his sunglasses in the car and they called within 30 minutes of drop off to tell us. They are fantastic - will definitely rent from them again.

Cons:

Absolutely nothing. They did an above and beyond service. Cheerful, helpful, didn't pressure us for an upgrade but let us make the decision. Very professional and I couldn't be more pleased with the rental experience.

1 out of 1

Hertz

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

6.5

2 locations in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

25135 Park Lantern

+1 949 661 1104

Monday13:00 - 17:3007:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:3013:00 - 17:30
Wednesday13:00 - 17:3007:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:3013:00 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:3013:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:30
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

63 Via Pico Plaza

+1 949 498 7710

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Clean car and exactly what I wanted

Cons:

It was as good as expected

1 out of 1

Dollar

5,6

Fair

One location in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

63 Via Pico Plaza

+1 949 498 7710

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

5,6

Fair

One location in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

63 Via Pico Plaza

+1 949 498 7710

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

No score available yet

2 locations in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

30242 Crown Valley Parkway 2b

+1 949 249 7826

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:30
Sunday08:00 - 17:30

33161 Camino Capistrano

+1 949 429 1646

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:30
Sunday08:00 - 17:30

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Renee, Nov 2023

Economy

KAYAK
Customer service rep at the counter was very pleasant and helpful!

1 out of 1

Avis

No score available yet

One location in San Clemente

Show locations

Locations in San Clemente

33161 Camino Capistrano

+1 949 388 3365

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:30
Sunday08:00 - 17:30

Filters

No reviews available

Rent-4-Less

No score available yet

One location in San Clemente

Locations in San Clemente

1645 North El Camino Real

(949) 492-2140

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

9 travellers who hired a car in San Clemente gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.6

Car hire locations in or near San Clemente

San Clemente car hire information

Pick-up locationSan Clemente
Car types
Hire locations5
Airport locations0

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