Dollar Car Hire
San Diego

On arrival at San Diego International Airport, collect your luggage and then head outside to the designated shuttle-bus stops. SAN consolidates all car hire services, including Dollar, in a dedicated Rental Car Centre a short distance from the terminals. Look for the overhead signs for "Rental Car Shuttles". These complimentary buses run continuously, providing a quick and convenient ride straight to the facility where the Dollar counter is located.

The most convenient option is to use the airport’s dedicated Rental Car Centre shuttle buses. After collecting your bags, follow the signs from baggage reclaim to the ground-transportation islands where these shuttles pick up passengers. The buses are designed to accommodate travellers with luggage, with plenty of space for suitcases. This service removes the need to navigate pavements or cross busy roads with your bags, and takes you directly to the building where the Dollar rental counters are located.

Arriving at SAN after dark is straightforward, as the airport and Rental Car Centre are well lit and clearly signed. The shuttle-bus service to the rental facility runs late into the evening, so you can get there regardless of your arrival time. Inside the Rental Car Centre, you’ll find the Dollar counter brightly lit and staffed to help you. The parking garages are also well illuminated, making it easy to locate your vehicle and get settled before you start driving.

A practical meeting point is the baggage reclaim area for the last-arriving flight in your group. That way everyone can gather their luggage in one place before heading over together. Alternatively, for a quieter and less crowded option, you can each take the shuttle to the Rental Car Centre and meet in the main lobby near the Dollar counter. This ensures everyone is at the pick-up point before you begin the rental process.

Your rental agreement from the Dollar counter will specify your vehicle’s exact location, typically including a floor number, row letter and bay number. The Rental Car Centre parking structure is well organised, with large, clear signage at the end of each aisle indicating the row. Simply follow the signs to your assigned floor and row, then look for the bay number painted on the ground or on a signpost. The system is designed to make finding your car quick and efficient.

Before driving off, take a few minutes to get comfortable with the vehicle. Adjust your seat, steering wheel and all mirrors for the best visibility. It’s also wise to locate the controls for headlights, windscreen wipers and hazard lights. Pair your smartphone with the car’s Bluetooth system for hands-free calls and navigation audio. Finally, do a quick walk-around to familiarise yourself with the car’s condition before merging into San Diego traffic.

A great option is Spanish Landing Park, just a minute or two from the Rental Car Centre on North Harbor Drive. This waterfront park has plenty of parking where you can safely pull over. It’s a calm place to enter your destination into your GPS, connect your phone and sort your luggage without traffic pressure. This quick stop can help you feel more prepared and confident before tackling San Diego’s motorways.

When leaving the airport area, the most critical point is the approach to Interstate 5. You’ll need to decide fairly quickly whether you’re heading north towards Los Angeles or south towards Downtown. The signage can appear quickly, so it helps to have your navigation app running before you leave the rental car park. Pay close attention to the overhead signs for I-5 North and I-5 South, and get into the correct lane early to avoid last-minute, stressful manoeuvres.

For the most straightforward route that avoids immediate motorway entry, take North Harbor Drive east straight from the airport area. This scenic road runs along the waterfront and leads into the heart of downtown. North Harbor Drive eventually becomes West Broadway, which is a main thoroughfare through the city. This surface-street approach is generally slower and easier for a first-time visitor than jumping straight onto the interstate.

The easiest route to Mission Bay is to join Interstate 5 North shortly after leaving the airport. It’s a direct route and you’ll only be on the motorway for a few miles. Exits for the Mission Bay area, such as Sea World Drive or Clairemont Drive, are large and well signposted. Using a GPS makes it even simpler, as it will tell you exactly which of the Mission Bay exits is closest to your specific destination.

The most direct and simple drive to La Jolla is via Interstate 5 North. After leaving the airport, follow the signs to merge onto I-5 N and continue for about 10–12 miles. Your main exit will likely be La Jolla Parkway, a major, clearly signposted exit. By staying on the motorway for most of the trip, you minimise complicated surface-street turns and can prepare for your exit well in advance, reducing the chance of a last-second lane change.

Balboa Park offers extensive free parking, but it’s extremely popular, especially at weekends. To avoid frustration, aim to arrive early, ideally before 10 a.m., to secure a space in a lot close to the main attractions and museums. If you arrive later, be prepared to park further away, such as the lot near the Inspiration Point Puppet Theater, and enjoy a pleasant walk into the park’s central area. Patience is key when navigating the park roads on a busy day.

The San Diego Zoo has its own large, dedicated car park that is free for visitors, which is a major convenience. It’s located directly in front of the zoo entrance. To get a good spot and minimise walking, it’s highly recommended to arrive before the zoo officially opens, particularly at weekends, on holidays or during the summer. Arriving early lets you park, sort tickets and enter without feeling rushed.

The best strategy for visiting Old Town is to head straight to the large, free public car parks around the perimeter of the state historic park. The main lot is accessible from Taylor Street and Twiggs Street. Arriving earlier in the day, especially at weekends, increases your chances of finding a space easily. Once parked, the historic area is compact and designed for walking, so you can explore shops, restaurants and museums on foot without moving your car.

Driving over the San Diego–Coronado Bridge is memorable with fantastic views, but its height and curve can feel intimidating for first-timers. It’s best to keep a steady speed and stay centred in your lane. Once you’re in Coronado, parking is the main challenge, as it’s mostly on-street parking, especially near the popular Hotel del Coronado and Orange Avenue. Be prepared to circle a few blocks or park further away in a residential area and walk.

To enjoy Sunset Cliffs without a stressful parking hunt, arrive well before the actual sunset time, as spaces fill quickly. Parking is mainly on-street along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and in nearby residential streets. A good strategy is to take the first available space you see as you enter the main viewing area, even if it means a short scenic walk along the cliffs to your preferred viewpoint. This is often quicker than trying to find the perfect spot right by the busiest overlooks.

For a smooth beach day in Pacific Beach with gear, the key is arriving very early, especially on a sunny weekend. Aim to be there before 9 a.m. to secure a space in a public lot near Crystal Pier or along the main streets. With bulky items like chairs and coolers, finding parking within a block or two of the sand is crucial. If you arrive later, you’ll likely need to park many blocks away in a residential area, making for a long carry with your equipment.

Ocean Beach has several convenient public car parks that work well for visitors. The most popular ones are at the foot of Newport Avenue, next to the main beach and the Ocean Beach Pier. These lots provide easy access to the busiest parts of the neighbourhood. While they can fill up on nice days, they’re large enough that spaces often open up. Mid-morning on a weekday is usually the easiest time for parking.

When visiting Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, be aware that parking is limited and fills extremely quickly, particularly at weekends and on holidays. There are two main paid car parks: a lower lot by the beach and an upper lot near the main trailheads. To secure a space, you need to arrive very early, often right at or before opening. If the lots are full, you may find limited on-street parking along the Coast Highway, but that involves a significant uphill walk to reach the trails.

The drive to the San Diego Safari Park is straightforward from central San Diego. You’ll mainly take Interstate 15 North for about 30 miles, and the exit for the park is clearly signposted. After leaving the motorway, follow the signs straight to the entrance. The Safari Park has a massive dedicated car park, so you shouldn’t struggle to find a space, though on busy days it may be a bit of a walk to the main gate.

Legoland is an easy drive, as it’s just off Interstate 5 North in Carlsbad, about 30–40 minutes from San Diego. The motorway exit for Legoland Drive is large and prominently signposted, so it’s hard to miss. Once you exit, the route to the park is direct and simple to follow. Legoland has a very large, well organised paid parking area, so finding a space on arrival is hassle free.

For a scenic, relaxed drive through San Diego’s North County beach towns, take the historic Coast Highway 101. It runs parallel to Interstate 5 but takes you through the heart of communities like Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. It’s a slower-paced drive with great ocean views and easy access to local shops, cafés and beaches. This lets you explore the coastline naturally without repeatedly joining and leaving the motorway.

The most direct and simplest route to Temecula is to take Interstate 15 North from San Diego. You’ll be on this single motorway for almost the entire drive, about 60 miles. Once you reach the Temecula area, the exits for Rancho California Road or Temecula Parkway lead straight into the heart of wine country. The roads between wineries are well surfaced and clearly signed, making it an easy region to navigate for a day trip.

Driving to the mountain town of Julian involves winding two-lane roads such as CA-78 or CA-79. They’re scenic but require attentive driving, especially through the bends. Once you arrive in Julian, parking is the main challenge, as it’s almost entirely on-street along Main Street and nearby blocks. On a busy autumn weekend, be prepared to park several blocks from the centre and enjoy a pleasant walk in.

A common and relatively easy route for first-time visitors is to take Interstate 8 East from San Diego, then head north on County Highway S2. This eventually connects to the town of Borrego Springs in the heart of the park. The roads are well maintained, but the landscape becomes remote quickly. It’s crucial to make sure your hire car has a full tank before leaving more populated areas, as services are sparse once you head into the desert.

It’s strongly recommended that you do not drive a hire car into Mexico. The best plan is to drive your Dollar rental to the San Ysidro border crossing and park in one of the many secure paid car parks on the US side. From there, you can walk across via the pedestrian crossing. This approach simplifies your day, as you won’t need to worry about driving in another country or potential complications when returning to the United States.

For international visitors, a key rule in California is that you can usually turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign specifically forbids it. Motorway signs are large and list destinations and route numbers, so they’re generally easy to follow. Watch for carpool or HOV lanes, which have specific rules about the number of occupants required. San Diego’s street grid is fairly logical, but a GPS is invaluable for navigating confidently.

San Diego’s weekday rush hour typically runs from about 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and again from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The heaviest traffic is usually on major routes such as I-5, I-8, I-805 and SR-163. To avoid the worst congestion, plan trips to and from the airport or major attractions outside these peak windows. Using a navigation app with real-time traffic is the best way to find alternative routes or adjust your departure time.

A common challenge in San Diego is closely spaced motorway exits and lanes that suddenly become "exit only". It’s important not only to follow your GPS prompts but also to watch overhead road signs carefully. Some interchanges, particularly where multiple motorways merge, can involve complex lane splits. It helps to review your route on the map before setting off to get a general sense of the major interchanges you’ll encounter.

In dense neighbourhoods like Little Italy, on-street parking is extremely scarce and often has strict time limits. When booking accommodation, it’s strongly advisable to choose a hotel with guaranteed on-site parking. If that isn’t an option, identify nearby public car parks in advance. Expect narrower streets and potentially tight entrances to parking structures, where a smaller vehicle can be an advantage.

A compact or mid-size saloon generally offers the best all-round experience for a San Diego trip. These vehicles are comfortable and stable at motorway speeds, yet much easier to manoeuvre into the tight spaces common at beaches and in popular neighbourhoods such as La Jolla or Little Italy. While a larger SUV offers more room, it can be harder to park. A smaller car gives you greater flexibility for exploring the city.

The most practical place to install car seats is in your assigned parking bay at the Rental Car Centre. The parking garage provides a safe, shaded, out-of-the-way space where you can take your time and ensure the seats are fitted correctly. If your bay is in a high-traffic area, you can also use one of the quieter corners of the garage level. This lets you get everything set up securely before you even start the car.

For travellers with surfboards or lots of beach equipment, an SUV or a people carrier is usually the most practical choice. Look for a vehicle with roof rails for boards, or one with fold-flat rear seats to create a large open cargo area. While a larger vehicle provides the space you need, bear in mind it can be harder to park in busy beach car parks. This trade-off between space and parking convenience is an important consideration.

San Diego often experiences a coastal marine layer that can bring dense fog, especially in the mornings in late spring and early summer. In these conditions, use dipped headlights and increase your following distance. In the late afternoon, westbound driving on roads like I-8 can involve intense sun glare. A good pair of sunglasses is essential for maintaining visibility and driving safely at these times.

When San Diego gets heavy rain, traffic can slow significantly across the county, as local drivers aren’t used to wet conditions. Low-lying areas and major routes like I-5 and I-805 are particularly prone to flooding and serious slowdowns. The Fashion Valley area, where the San Diego River can overflow, is a well-known trouble spot. Allow extra travel time and check a traffic app for road closures if you need to drive during a storm.

There’s a convenient cluster of fuel stations on North Harbor Drive, the main road leading directly to the Rental Car Centre return entrance. You’ll also find several stations in the nearby Liberty Station area. Refuelling at one of these locations lets you top up within minutes of returning the vehicle. This avoids stressful detours or awkward U-turns when you’re trying to catch your flight.

As you drive towards the airport on North Harbor Drive, the key is to stay in the left-hand lanes. The roadway splits, with the right lanes leading to passenger terminals and the left lanes leading to the Rental Car Centre. Follow the large overhead signs that specifically say "Rental Car Return". This dedicated road takes you directly to the return facility, bypassing the busy terminal drop-off loops entirely.

The airport road system is designed for this exact sequence. First, follow signs for "All Terminals" or "Departures" and go to the kerbside area for your airline to drop off passengers and luggage. Once they’re safely at the kerb, continue around the loop. As you come back towards the main airport entrance, you’ll see clear signs for "Rental Car Return", allowing you to enter the return facility easily without leaving the airport complex.

The process is very simple and mirrors your arrival. After you’ve returned the vehicle and completed the check-out, go to the shuttle-bus stops on the ground level of the Rental Car Centre. These complimentary shuttles run continuously back to the airport terminals. They stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, so you can get off at the stop that matches your airline.

Two excellent, convenient options are Liberty Station and Spanish Landing Park. Liberty Station, a former naval training centre, is about five minutes from the rental return and has coffee shops, restaurants and a waterfront park. Spanish Landing, even closer, offers beautiful bay and skyline views that are perfect for a final photo. Both have easy parking and sit right off North Harbor Drive, making for a quick, low-stress stop before you return the car.