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California trip, need a nice car hire !

3K views 48 replies 9 participants last post by  rabskyline 
#1 ·
12th June to the 5th July .
We will be doing LA Vegas and San Francisco and maybe San Diego at the end.

Any one got a tip on car hire ?

We're Scots but live in Oz.
TIA Rab.
 
#5 ·
I would check with any of the big chains like https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html pick the size / model you are looking for.
Go for unlimited mileage, and use a credit card that includes higher coverage rental insurance. If not, your existing car insurance might offer or even include travel insurance (the rentals have basic liability etc, and otherwise the rental will try to sell you additional full coverage at a stiff daily rate).
For your time frame you may get a low daily and car rentals in cities with business travelers have less business on weekends, and you might get a deal with free weekend, you pay 5 days per week.
Contact more than one rental, or more than one office of the same car rental group, ask whether they have a managers special? (I usually get it).
The airport branch of the same car rental group may be less inclined to offer deals, check with other branches (google maps), it may be worth a short taxi cab ride.
If you have never seen it, I would recommend a trip via the Hoover dam to the grand canyon. If you can get a booking for one of the 'Angels Lodge' bungalows (close to the edge of the canyon, on the Arizona side) get up early to see the sunrise, its pretty amazing.
Cheers
 
#6 ·
Teutone has some great ideas. The major chains (e.g., Hertz, Budget) would likely be the best overall as they have good cars and the ability to change it out easily if it has a problem. Also, check on the cost of renting it in one place and dropping it off somewhere else. Sometimes that is expensive so factor it into your search for an overall price.

Vegas has lots of rental opportunities, including, as noted, a couple of exotic car places that will rent you a Ferrari, Lambo, Viper, etc. If you're going to spend a few days in Vegas, that would be fun, then go get your Hertz "grocery getter" car to do the traveling in.

FYI, June/July is the start of summer in Vegas and it can get all the way to HOT. It's slated to be over 100F by the middle of next week, so hats and sunscreen are going to be needed.

Pretty much any Saturday there is a Cars-N-Coffee gathering in Henderson (south Vegas) that includes exotic cars and would be fun. I believe it's the second Sunday of the month when the Exotics-n-Expresso gathering is held on the west side of town. Then there are the billion dollar casino's.......
 
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#7 ·
100F for Vegas this time of the year is cold.
So with 4 people you want a car that has AC blowing at rear seats also.
That usually puts you in SUV category, so price goes up, but will save you the mood of 2 teenagers who got cooked on rear seat.
There are lot of tricks with rentals.
Cheap daily rates usually come with limited mileage and hefty charge after that.
I usually rent to drive and gladly pay higher daily price with unlimited mileage. Those usually are available at airports again.
Than beware about "California specials" who have very good price and unlimited mileage.
But few learned the hard way that today's technology equip cars with trackers and once you cross the border, the contract special is void and per mile charges apply.
 
#9 ·
Thanks fellas, much to think about.
We're used to heat,just wet tropical crotch rot 100-110f .

Hoover definitely on the cards, as is pebble beach and a couple of golf rounds whilst wifey is shopping etc.

Can't wait , it's been 15yrs since I was last in Florida and 35yrs since we visited family in fort Ashby WV.
 
#10 ·
One-Way rentals

To wind up our West Coast trip, two years ago my wife and I rented a car in Seattle, Washington and road-tripped down the coastline all the way to San Diego, California over four days. It was a gorgeous trip but the fee for the one-way rental was almost $600.

I'm glad we did it but would not pay that tariff again.

BTW, we also spent three days in Victoria, B.C. You may be interested in seeing how the colder half of the Empire lives.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I was in California summer before last. I rented from Hertz. They call it the dream car collection or something like that. A few things you should know, first these higher end cars have to be returned to the location they were rented from. Second, note down your license plate. One of the highways we drove on was a toll road but there was no toll booth. I had to go online to pay the toll and your plate number is required. Luckily I had pictures of the car I rented.
Not sure what traffic is like where you live but traffic in California is heavy. Amazingly, it all works but I suppose everyone is used to it.
 
#17 ·
Well we arrived yesterday morning, bit lagged but ok.
Woke up 3.30am :D

Bit colder than we're used to do upon arrival but it's to warm up this week :)

Need to go get a pre paid sim card this morning from somewhere to use for mobile service and sat nav on phone.

Think target sell them ?

Anyway, next few days are Disney ,California world, Universal studios etc.

Alamo tried to throw us a jeep compass, wouldn't touch that piece of shit so waiting on an Hyundai Santa Fe which is very nice actually.
 
#18 ·
My neighbor buys Hyundai SUV from 15 years and likes them.
When going form LA to LV, give yourself extra 2-3 hr and stop at "Calico Ghost Town" on west side of Barstow.
Don't count on free beer at casinos. The times when casinos in LV offered freebies are gone. You still can find discount dining if you go to casinos far away from the Strip.
Buffets on Strip starts at $30
 
#21 · (Edited)
not sure if it's on the itinerary but, santa barbara's nice too, think santa monica years ago...

agreed on venice beach. i'm sure there was a time...

don't be shy with the pics and the objective opinions on this place (warts and all), we (americans) promise not to be butt hurt!

i'm always curious how non-americans find it here...
 
#22 ·
Venice absolutely stunk.
Seagulls attacking a sleeping tramp was hilarious.

Went to use the toilets and opened the door and two tramps in there up to no good, didn't see any action but pants were down on one.
Quickly closed door whilst saying"f+ck,sorry guys" LOL.

Anyway, made our way up pch through Redondo etc to Santa Monica to a little beach restaurant about 2/3miles past pier which was nice.
Went back to pier to have a look round then drove to Malibu,wasn't overly impressed with that but hey, we didn't stay long.

One compliment, Americans can do 70-80mph side by side on 12 lanes and not crash , something Australians couldn't comprehend :D

Enjoying so far, off to Vegas tomorrow, looking forward to the drive and the Mojave :)

Santa Monica from the pier.
Didn't take many pics but my wife and daughter did so I'll mug them for those later.
 
#23 ·
Malibu is more impressive when you are on a yacht looking at the insanely priced homes.

Carmel is more my kind of area to hang out in.
I used to live in Los Gatos and that was very nice. I was working for SCO and
they rented a fantastic house for me for a year. When I had time I would head down the PCH and drift around Carmel.

Enjoy Vegas!!

 
#24 · (Edited)
Now when in Las Vegas, when you are tired of cassinos, you can take family for hiking to Valley of Fire, about 1 hr of driving north. This time of the year you want to go there when sun start going low and take lot of water.
Similar experience on smaller scale is Red Rock Canyon just on north/west suburbans.
You can drive 17 miles loop for a fee or take one road earlier for free walk on boardwalk with picnic area.
My brother from Seattle pick the latest for his wedding few years ago, what can give you some impression how nice it is.
Now you are first visitor to CA who is not complaining, that on 12 lanes freeway, the left 10 are blocked by slow drivers ;)
12 lanes can be observed only on few intersections in LA, while in Bay Area the only 12 lanes I recall are at Bay Bridge Toll Plaza. Not too many places around the World will show you 10,000 cars idling in the same direction day after day.
 
#28 ·
Did you get one of those tourist books for Vegas? We did the first time there and it helped. There really is so much going on.
We went to a couple of shows. One was comp'ed and another we got tickets at the half off place across from the Monte Carlo. Lots of shows but pricey. Blue Man Group was fun. You probably would already, but I suggest using the valet at the various casinos and tipping. Just made life so much easier.
 
#29 · (Edited)
as I mention before, farther you go from the Strip, better dinner pricing you get.
We prefer buffets with our sons.
Railroad casino is a bit far, but they offer home-like cooking and I think Friday is their seafood day, what is the best deal in the area (followed by waiting lines).
Midweek with lot of time you can go to M casino for their buffet that include wine and beer.
Weekend can generate 2 hr waiting time there.
North part of strip has couple of casinos that depends of the day have their special.
Than if you don't mind dining after 10 PM, Freemont street has lot of $6 steak dinners that last till 3 AM. The Paradise buffet there is good whole day.
If you really want to show off to your family, take them to Belagio buffet.
Shows as Michael said can be expensive. I would put Celine on top of the list.
Have seen her twice and it is experience.
Big price on Elton and it was slight disappointment.
Circus De Sole is always good bet. I loved "The Love" but than I grew up when Beatles have been still singing together.
And again, if you like nature, Valley of Fire is one of this World wonder. Drive to the very end past visitor center and take 1.5 mile loop in late afternoon.
The Indian shop at freeway exit offers some souvenirs and good selection of booze.
 
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