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Car Hire Solana Beach

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Car rental companies in Solana Beach

Below are the car rental companies in Solana Beach with the best ratings. Compare all ratings and prices of these rental companies in one search.

  • Alamo

    9 (8619)
    No rates available
  • National Car Rental

    9 (402)
    No rates available

Car rental companies in and around Solana Beach

Looking for a hire car in United States? Take a look at our Car rental United States directory.

Solana Beach

Available locations in Solana Beach

617 S. Highway 101

Solana Beach Guide

Car Hire

The cool ‘So Cal’ hangout of Solana Beach is perfect for the beachgoer, with its barrelling surf, sublime weather and galleries and boutiques. Its positioning between Los Angeles and San Diego makes it a good base for exploring Orange County, mountains and parklands and for forays into neighbouring Mexico.

Who to Book With
San Diego International Airport is blessed with car rental firms, such as Ace, E-Z, Payless, Budget, National, and many of the other big companies. There are also offices right at Solana Beach between Highway 101 and Sierra Avenue, though it is best to pre-book with a comparator site for the ease and best value.

Best Time to Go
Solana Beach has an almost year-round Mediterranean-like climate with warm temperatures and very low rainfall. It tends to get cloudy here in summer and really heats up in August-September, though spring is more pleasant. Rates are lower for hotels and cars from October through to May, but the roads remain busy year-round.

Need to Know Essentials
When you pick up car hire, be sure to have the following documents ready:

- A United Kingdom driver’s licence (with photo) and International Driving Permit
- A passport
- The credit card you used for the booking
- The confirmed reservation

For more info read our FAQs.

Driving
Solana Beach is only a couple of miles across and is easy to navigate by car. Interstate 5 provides fast access to the beaches and San Diego International Airport, the latter of which is a 20-mile drive away, about 30 minutes. Be aware that many car rental firms require drivers to be over 25 and you should always have your license and passport with you.

Our Guide to the Unites States contains more detailed driving information.

Transport

Though it is small, it’s definitely worth having a vehicle when visiting Solana Beach as other beaches and attractions are best reached with your own transport. This whole region is driver country and roads are well laid-out. There is a public bus network and taxis are on hand 24 hours, but it’s far more practical to drive.

Trains
Amtrak runs services right through Solana Beach en-route to San Diego from Los Angeles, vice versa. The train station is in the centre of town, not far from Lomas Santa Fe Drive, and receives both the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and San Diego Coaster. Other than getting in and out, rail travel is not a means of getting about here.

Buses
For getting around by bus, Breeze serves Solana Beach and surrounds. It’s operated by North County Transit District and you can buy singles or reasonably priced day passes. For getting about Solana Beach extensively, however, it is best to use a taxi or car.

Taxis
It may be tough to hail a taxi during busy times, with the de facto method to pre-book by phone or to head for a taxi stand. These are usually near the larger hotels and at shopping malls. Both Solana Beach Taxi and Del Mar Taxi operate metered services for trips in and around Solana Beach.

Exploring

Solana Beach is in a great spot for exploring, sandwiched as it is between San Diego and Los Angeles and with a stunning coastline and countryside. In addition, Mexico is less than an hour’s drive away, so it pays to have car hire to get the most out of the area.

Recommended Drives

San Diego – San Diego is an easy half hour drive to the south and has a huge number of attractions the whole family can enjoy. SeaWorld, Balboa Park and Old Town State Historic Park each make for a good daytrip from Solana Beach, plus there is a huge military presence in town (including the Pacific Fleet).

San Diego Zoo & Safari Park– Situated off to the east of Solana Beach in the hills of Escondido is this unique and fun animal park. Several landscapes are wonderfully recreated at San Diego Zoo that you get around by flatbed truck or monorail. The zoo has thousands of animals, including rhinos, impressive lions and huge giraffes.

Orange County – This busy county lies an hour or so north of Solana Beach and is one of beaches and popular towns. Huntington Beach is a top surf spot, while Santa Ana and Anaheim are both happening towns. Two must-see attractions for kids are Knott's Berry Farm and the unforgettable Disneyland. Los Angeles and Long Beach are not much further.

Tijuana – The border Mexican city is less than an hour’s drive down the I-5 from Solana Beach. You can park at the border and walk across into Tijuana town, which is known today for its clean streets and eclectic shops and restaurants. Avenida Revolucion in the centre is the main place for tourists to have a wander.

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

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 Carrentals.co.uk 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 Carrentals.co.uk at this location?
  • Alamo
  • National Car Rental