Book California car rentals from $54

With your own rental car, it'll be easy to see this place's most exciting sights. California is home to some unforgettable attractions like the following:

• Universal Studios Hollywood (8 miles from the center of Los Angeles)
• SeaWorld (5 miles from the center of San Diego County)
• Pier 39 (1 mile from the center of San Francisco)

Adventure is waiting for you around every corner of this wonderful region. California is one of those places where the journey is just as exciting as every one of its awesome destinations. With your own set of wheels, you can take as long or as little as your heart desires exploring all it has to offer. Get out and discover some (or all) of this place's most visited cities:

• Los Angeles (population of 3,971,900)
• San Diego County (population of 1,394,900)
• San Jose (population of 1,026,900)
• San Francisco (population of 864,800)

Avoid paying an arm and a leg for a rental car by following our suggestions:

• Investigate as many different cheap car rental companies as possible (we make that chore a breeze!);
• By submitting your email address into our Price Drop Alert, you'll be notified of all of the best deals for your location;
• Check both airport and non-airport pickup outlet locations to be sure you're bagging the absolute best price in town;
• If you're not worried about which day of the week you pick up the keys to your car and your plans are flexible, experiment with days and dates to find the best deal;
• Nobody enjoys being slapped with a late fee. Avoid the trouble of having to pay for another full day by ensuring your pickup and drop-off times are around the same time;
• Sometimes car rental outlets reward you with discounts if you pay immediately, so watch out for these penny-pinching offers;
• Don't let the deal you want slip through your fingers. Book now and lock in your dream ride.

Who needs all those extra bells and whistles? Economy cars are the most popular rental car category for travelers in California, and for good reason. You'll have superb fuel economy as you cruise around the streets of Los Angeles and San Diego County in this small car. They're efficient, simple to park, and most importantly, easy on the hip pocket.Of course, California is known for its sandy shores, mountains, and beaches. Many eager adventurers hightail it out of the city to tour those jaw-dropping scenes. If that sounds like something you want to do, opt for an SUV or a full-size car. Even if you don't think you'll wander off the beaten track, you'll welcome the extra space.