About San Francisco

Car hire in San Francisco is particularly useful for exploring beyond the city and continuing through California. For central neighbourhoods, consider Muni and BART first, collecting the car when you are ready for Bay Area outings or the next stage of a road trip.

Find car hire in San Francisco

Choose your side of the bay before booking

Compare San Francisco International (SFO) with available city offices. Rent.it lists Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and city locations, as well as Berkeley and Oakland (OAK) in the East Bay. Check the geography carefully: an office across the bay may involve an additional transfer and a different starting route.

Book around your travel plans

Choose the days you actually need a car before searching Rent.it. Compare collection locations, the total rental price and what is included. Rent.it arranges the booking; your rental agreement is with the vehicle supplier.

Driving licence, payment card and deposit

Bring your valid original driving licence, passport and booking voucher. Check whether an International Driving Permit or translation is needed for the states you will visit and your chosen supplier. Before booking, read the vehicle details and rental terms for accepted cards, the main driver’s name, the deposit and available funds. Minimum age, surcharges, insurance, excess and mileage depend on the supplier, location, vehicle and offer. A card accepted for online payment is not automatically accepted at collection.

Match the car to the trip

A compact car can be easier to handle in city garages. For a multi-stop holiday, choose enough boot space without booking an unnecessarily large vehicle. Take luggage and valuables with you whenever you park, including during a short sightseeing stop.

Hills, parking signs and cashless bridge tolls

Pay attention to steep streets, reserved lanes and street-cleaning restrictions. Golden Gate Bridge tolls apply in the direction entering San Francisco; ask your supplier about its payment programme and service fees. Other bay crossings may also carry tolls. Plan a garage for days when the car will remain parked while you explore.

Marin, Muir Woods or a southbound coastal route

Across the Golden Gate, Sausalito and Marin County make one possible outing. Muir Woods requires a separate parking or shuttle reservation rather than simply a car booking. For a trip down the coast, create a separate itinerary and check road closures before committing to the route.

Plan your return

Arrange the return around your final stop so that an unnecessary bay crossing does not complicate the journey before a flight. Follow the voucher’s opening hours, fuel or charging policy and return instructions. Check charges and permission for a different drop-off location or an out-of-hours return.

Enter your San Francisco dates to compare cars, categories, prices and rental terms