Become a host
  • Log in
  • Sign up
  • Become a host

  • How Turo works
  • Contact support
  • Legal
  • Protection
  • Host tools
  • Carculator

Rent cars in San Diego, CA

Discover the Turo car rental marketplace

San Diego, CA
Where
From
Until
HomeCar rentalSan Diego, CA

Top rated rental cars in San Diego, CA

BMW 4 Series 2020 — Car rental alternative in San Diego, CA
Add car to favorites
BMW 4 Series 2020

4.95

(154 trips)

All-Star Host
USD77/day
See more cars in San Diego, CA
Find an affordable rate on Turo and explore San Diego’s sandy beaches

Get beached in San Diego

It’s always a perfect day in San Diego — however you like to vacation. The city is known for its immaculate weather, sparkling coastline, with beaches perfect for surfing, sipping cocktails, and even hang gliding.

When you’re done chowing down on great Mexican food, book a car in San Diego to go check out the bevy of museums in town that offer an array of exciting experiences, equally thrilling to adults and kids.

San Diego favorites

The secret to making the most of San Diego is simply to enjoy the outdoors.

purple lines

Balboa Park

Covering more than 1,200 acres, laced with hiking trails, and home to museums, theaters, restaurants, and the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is much more than your average city green. Absorb San Diego’s culture and legendary sunshine.

Cabrillo National Monument

There are many ways to do the beach, but nothing beats a day trip to wander the tidepools and meet all the sea creatures. You can find your preferred type of vehicle in San Diego at a low daily rate, then head down to the shore.

USS Midway Museum

In Downtown San Diego, this retired U.S. aircraft carrier gives you a taste of the Top Gun life. Hang out on the flight deck of the USS Midway, explore the aircraft, and test your fortitude in the flight simulator.

Top hosts in San Diego, CA

Vlad B.

Vlad B.

All-Star Host
10280 tripsJoined
Cute 🚗 car.
Juleane S.-
Vehicle was charged up, software updated, car cleaned.
Gregory B.-

Vlad B.’s vehicles

Rent cars in San Diego, CA

Hit the road

Road trip itinerary: catch a meal al fresco at sunset, tackle the mountains, and take a dip in the Pacific. This is one of the most laid-back and comfortable areas of the country, with easy street parking, a sometimes-mils rush hour, nearby road trip destinations galore. Book a car in San Diego, then travel out of town along the stunningly gorgeous coastal roads, and take the rural highways out into the mountains or desert for an entirely different Southern California experience. Avoid the rental car center and take the scenic route with a convertible.

Rent the perfect car
Rent a classic Porsche Speedster at low rates

Carlsbad

Grab a tank of gas and take the hour drive north past Torrey Pines in your car to take in the famously beautiful Carlsbad State Beach, explore the lagoons, or go wild at Legoland.

Borrego Springs

Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the desert and discover the unique collection of sculptures tucked into the landscape. Take a road trip out to this touristic location 80 miles south of Palm Springs — the weather is warm any time of year.

Julian

Find your preferred type of vehicle in San Diego, then head an hour out from the city into the mountains to pick your own apples, indulge in a slice of pie, and take a tour of Julian’s 1870s gold mine.

Recent reviews

Soulaimen L.
Maserati Ghibli 2019

It’s great car for drive in San Diego !

Soulaimen L.
-
Christine H.
Toyota Prius v 2012

Great zippy car for running around San Diego on vacation.

Christine H.
-
Keith P.
Hyundai Elantra 2023

Nice looking car, and was easy to drive.

Keith P.
-

Car rental locations near San Diego, CA

National City (5 mi)

Top cities

Browse by make

Jeep rental alternatives - TURO
Jeep
Tesla rental alternatives - TURO
Tesla
Subaru rental alternatives - TURO
Subaru
Porsche rental alternatives - TURO
Porsche
BMW rental alternatives
BMW
Mercedes-Benz rental alternatives - TURO
Mercedes-Benz
Toyota rental alternatives
Toyota
Nissan rental alternatives
Nissan
Lamborghini rental alternatives
Lamborghini
Ford rental alternatives
Ford

Best San Diego driving roads

Purple squiggle

Highway 101

This epic highway is particularly astounding near San Diego. Grab a car and head north out of the bustling city to catch ocean views from Pacific Beach, Torrey Pines, Solana Beach, Encinitas, all the way past Oceanside.

Palomar Mountain Loop

For this challenging, scenic mountain loop, navigate your car northeast of San Diego to catch Highway 76 out of Temecula into the Cleveland National Forest for thrilling views.

Old Highway 80

Book a car and hit Old Highway 80 to see the ghost towns and abandoned ruins along this two-lane highway, built in 1956 to connect San Diego all the way east to Savannah, Georgia.

Frequently asked questions in San Diego

What do I need to book a car on Turo?

To book a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, be 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for future road trips, business trips, and family vacations!

Do I need my own insurance?

No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo. But, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. The liability insurance included in a protection plan is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.*

What protection plan options are available on Turo?

When booking a car on Turo, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier, Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of coverage that’s right for you. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers — $750,000 for the Premier plan.*

How do I get discounts on cars in San Diego?

On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on cars in San Diego!

Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period!**

**Learn how the loyalty bonus works

Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?

Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for San Diego trips booked a week or more in advance. So, get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.

See more about promotions & discounts

What types of cars can I book in San Diego?

Browse a wide selection of vehicles for all kinds of occasions and budgets on Turo. Find a full-size SUV for a family road trip, a pickup truck for some errands, or a sporty convertible for a special night out in San Diego. For the lowest prices, use the “budget-friendly” filter to browse economy vehicles.

How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to San Diego?

Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total miles or kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.

What payment methods does Turo accept?

Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.

Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.

What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?

You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.

What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?

Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced cleaning practices, using the latest recommendations compiled from the CDC, EPA, WHO, and vehicle detailing experts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Is Turo a rental car company?

No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.

Are there cars available near the San Diego airport?

Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at locations near the San Diego airport. After arriving at San Diego International Airport or John Wayne Airport, have your car delivered for pick-up and drop off at your San Diego hotel or vacation rental to save time and hassle. Some major hotels offer shuttle bus services from the airport, so you can go get settled before meeting your host at the pickup location at a later pickup time. Besides shuttle service, you can catch an Uber or Lyft.

Can I drive a car I booked on Turo to Mexico?

No, you cannot drive a car you booked in the United States across the border into Mexico. Driving a vehicle booked in the US into Mexico is a prohibited use on Turo and you may face a penalty fee, suspension, and/or removal from the platform. If you’re planning a trip to our neighboring country Mexico, search for your destination to rent a car with a Commercial Host at a convenient rental location in Mexico.

What’s the best way to get to the San Diego Zoo?

The best and most convenient way to get to the San Diego Zoo is by booking a car on Turo, so you can get to and from the zoo on your own time. The San Diego Zoo is conveniently located in downtown San Diego, not far from the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter, and you can drive about half an hour north to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido to complete your animal adventure.