renting a car for the PCH drive from LA to SD
Nov 9th, 2006, 03:04 PM
#1
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renting a car for the PCH drive from LA to SD
renting a car for the PCH drive from LA to SD
I'd like to know which rent a car company (iN Los Angeles, CA) to deal with If I'm planning to do the following.
1) LA to San Diego (with all the scenic stops in between) on the Pacific Coast Highway. I have a Canadian driver's lisence only (and a passport) - I don't have insurance (and I'm without a credit card of my own - though I do have access to a family credit card NUMBER which I use for emergenices - and I have cash). I'd like to use the car for a max (of 2 days) while I slowly work my way down the coast (on the PCH passing all the little communities). I'm a photographer so that is the purpose of the trip - to take pictures, pictures and more pictures.
Anyways, I'd like to know which company is the most cost-effective (and most appropriate for this trip). I will of course, rent the car in LA (and return it in SD).
It's possible right?
I'd like to know which rent a car company (iN Los Angeles, CA) to deal with If I'm planning to do the following.
1) LA to San Diego (with all the scenic stops in between) on the Pacific Coast Highway. I have a Canadian driver's lisence only (and a passport) - I don't have insurance (and I'm without a credit card of my own - though I do have access to a family credit card NUMBER which I use for emergenices - and I have cash). I'd like to use the car for a max (of 2 days) while I slowly work my way down the coast (on the PCH passing all the little communities). I'm a photographer so that is the purpose of the trip - to take pictures, pictures and more pictures.
Anyways, I'd like to know which company is the most cost-effective (and most appropriate for this trip). I will of course, rent the car in LA (and return it in SD).
It's possible right?
Nov 9th, 2006, 03:59 PM
#2
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Sure, it's possible. It might be expensive. You will undobtedly need to buy the whole insurance package...the credit card for which you have a number but don't own will not cover you. Also, there may be a drop-off fee for a one-way rental.
I don't live in the area so I can't give y0u tips on which rental companies to look at...but good luck and happy traveling.
I don't live in the area so I can't give y0u tips on which rental companies to look at...but good luck and happy traveling.
Nov 9th, 2006, 09:22 PM
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Enterprise has the best rates for one way rentals. You might have to pick up at the airport and drop off at the airport, but still cheaper that most others. We did a one way from Orange County to Sacramento for $85, but had to pick up and drop off at the airport.
Nov 9th, 2006, 09:35 PM
#5
Many companies will not do cash rentals. And those that do most often require a large cash deposit - over and above the cost of the rental.
And especially w/ an out of country license - I would just look for any company that will take you on. You may not have much of a choice.
Do you have a debtit card (ATM card w/ a visa logo) - that would make things easier.
And especially w/ an out of country license - I would just look for any company that will take you on. You may not have much of a choice.
Do you have a debtit card (ATM card w/ a visa logo) - that would make things easier.
Nov 10th, 2006, 04:11 AM
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I think you will have to get a credit card - it is going to be a challenge to find a rental car company that allows you cash rentals and if they do they will want a HUGE deposit. You are also talking about a one way rental which is another added expense.
Incidentally, I don't know if you are aware but there are not many "little communities" left between LA-SD. It's pretty much suburban sprawl all the way. Laguna Beach is lovely but it's very built up. Likewise for Dana Point (and harbor), Newport Beach, San Clemente, etc. etc. I lived a huge part of my life in Huntington Beach and watched the coastal areas become one housing development after another. Just so you are prepared not to see picturesque villages !! (The Mission at San Juan Capistrano is well worth a stop by the way).
Incidentally, I don't know if you are aware but there are not many "little communities" left between LA-SD. It's pretty much suburban sprawl all the way. Laguna Beach is lovely but it's very built up. Likewise for Dana Point (and harbor), Newport Beach, San Clemente, etc. etc. I lived a huge part of my life in Huntington Beach and watched the coastal areas become one housing development after another. Just so you are prepared not to see picturesque villages !! (The Mission at San Juan Capistrano is well worth a stop by the way).
Nov 10th, 2006, 05:30 AM
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You have several problems. I just checked Hertz website - you can check others but info there is likely to be the same or similar to other companies.
First - payment. They will do cash rentals, but they require a cash rental authorization process which takes 30 days and sounds really difficult.
Credit card - must be in name of renter who is signing rental agreement - so family card is not going to work.
Cost - you are going to have few if any choices from where to rent - if you can even find a place that will rent to you. If you can find a place, it will not be least expensive.
I am wondering if you have access to family credit card if that means you are younger - standard rental age used to be 25, it is now 21 in most places, but there is a high extra charge for that.
Even if you get/have a debit card, they will "tie up" a rather large amount of money in the account upon rental - and that money must be in your account.
The only solution I can think of is to get a credit card, even if you must ask family to co-sign - or they could get you a card in your name on the family account.
First - payment. They will do cash rentals, but they require a cash rental authorization process which takes 30 days and sounds really difficult.
Credit card - must be in name of renter who is signing rental agreement - so family card is not going to work.
Cost - you are going to have few if any choices from where to rent - if you can even find a place that will rent to you. If you can find a place, it will not be least expensive.
I am wondering if you have access to family credit card if that means you are younger - standard rental age used to be 25, it is now 21 in most places, but there is a high extra charge for that.
Even if you get/have a debit card, they will "tie up" a rather large amount of money in the account upon rental - and that money must be in your account.
The only solution I can think of is to get a credit card, even if you must ask family to co-sign - or they could get you a card in your name on the family account.
Nov 11th, 2006, 06:47 AM
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dear sandy,
if you are thinking that the PCH drive south of LA is similar to the PCH drive north of LA, i'm afraid you will be seriously disappointed.
having lived in southern california (la) all my life and travelled up and down the coast, i would strongly recommend taking the 405 freeway south, and getting off in the destinations you would like to visit. The top 2, in my opinion, are Laguna Beach and either La Jolla or Del Mar.
i'm not sure if ou wanted to stay overnight in these destinations or just stop by. but please know that if you were going to take "pacific coast highway" from LA to San Diego, you would be going mostly through busy, congested city streets nowhere near the coastline. look at a map and you'll see for yourself.
good luck.
dina
if you are thinking that the PCH drive south of LA is similar to the PCH drive north of LA, i'm afraid you will be seriously disappointed.
having lived in southern california (la) all my life and travelled up and down the coast, i would strongly recommend taking the 405 freeway south, and getting off in the destinations you would like to visit. The top 2, in my opinion, are Laguna Beach and either La Jolla or Del Mar.
i'm not sure if ou wanted to stay overnight in these destinations or just stop by. but please know that if you were going to take "pacific coast highway" from LA to San Diego, you would be going mostly through busy, congested city streets nowhere near the coastline. look at a map and you'll see for yourself.
good luck.
dina
Nov 11th, 2006, 07:18 AM
#9
I was also going to mention your plan (two days to drive PCH to San Diego w/ scenic stops) probably isn't what you imagine. But since you may have a problem even renting a car, I'd worry about that first, and then we can help you w/ ideas where to go.
Nov 11th, 2006, 10:20 AM
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Yeah, this is an odd one. Why?
First of all, LA to San Diego is, without traffic, a two-hour drive. With traffic, it can be a four- to five-hour ordeal, but it's a relatively short trip.
Second of all, it's not scenic until you're out of Los Angeles County. As a matter of fact, it's ugly for several miles through Harbor City, Carson, Wilmington and west Long Beach. It's also a bit discontinuous through parts of Orange and San Diego counties, so you'll be hopping on and off the "5" (Interstate 5) if you're insistent on doing the coast drive.
But everyone else is right: This will be a moot point since, unless you get hold of a credit card with lots of available credit or lots of cash, you probably won't even be able to rent a car. You will need to carry full insurance, and the under-25 deposit tends to be big.
You should probably start looking into coach services between the two cities, to be frank.
First of all, LA to San Diego is, without traffic, a two-hour drive. With traffic, it can be a four- to five-hour ordeal, but it's a relatively short trip.
Second of all, it's not scenic until you're out of Los Angeles County. As a matter of fact, it's ugly for several miles through Harbor City, Carson, Wilmington and west Long Beach. It's also a bit discontinuous through parts of Orange and San Diego counties, so you'll be hopping on and off the "5" (Interstate 5) if you're insistent on doing the coast drive.
But everyone else is right: This will be a moot point since, unless you get hold of a credit card with lots of available credit or lots of cash, you probably won't even be able to rent a car. You will need to carry full insurance, and the under-25 deposit tends to be big.
You should probably start looking into coach services between the two cities, to be frank.
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