Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Los Angeles with Ease
Los Angeles is a city that strikes with its contrasts. Here you can see dizzying skyscrapers and typical one-story America, amazing luxury and depressing poverty. All this makes an indelible impression, and when the trip comes to an end, you realize that you don’t want to leave here anymore.
Los Angeles is the second most populous USA, which is located in California. This territory was once inhabited by Native Americans who were engaged in hunting, fishing and cattle breeding. But after centuries, other people began to explore these places - the Spaniards, the Portuguese and others. So, in 1542, a Portuguese expedition came to explore the coast of California, and 60 years later, a Spanish one. The Spaniards really liked these new lands - there was a pleasant climate for life and many free territories that still needed to be developed. Already in 1781 they founded the first settlement here. When Mexico gained independence, the village became part of the new state. And after the war with Mexico, American troops finally captured all of California, and Los Angeles became part of the United States of America.
Until the end of the 19th century, the situation throughout the state was unstable. There were many Mexicans in Los Angeles at that time, but the city also began to be populated by “gringos” (white Americans). Their dissatisfaction with each other grew and resulted in skirmishes and protests. Some semblance of order was maintained by local authorities, but in general, this region was considered not the safest. Over time, the situation stabilized and the degree of public tension became significantly lower.
Another important milestone in the development of the city was the appearance in it of such a phenomenon as cinema. Initially, American cinema was filmed in New York, but then some directors decided that it would be much better to shoot in sunny Los Angeles. So, one after another, film studios opened in the city, which made it the capital of cinema. Not only this, but also the fact that oil was soon found in the vicinity of the city contributed to the rapid development of Los Angeles.
LA Landmarks
Los Angeles Airport is located 16 km from the city center. From here you can get to the center by taxi, public transport or a rented car. The taxi option can be too expensive, and public transport is unfortunately not the best place to get around the city. The thing is that almost every adult American has his own car. And Los Angeles, not counting the downtown area, for the most part is a one-story America - many small streets and small buildings. Thus, public transport simply cannot cover such an area. The only option is to rent a car. This can be done at the Bookingautos website.
Coming to Los Angeles, the first thing you will notice is the Downtown (business district) with its incredible skyscrapers.
This area is considered the central part of the city, and it is more of a business center, where the offices of many international companies are concentrated, than a place with many attractions. But these skyscrapers are really worth seeing up close. In addition, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is located here, the building of which looks very futuristic.
Probably the most famous place in Los Angeles, where every year thousands of tourists come, is Hollywood. It is full of restaurants, expensive shops and clubs, and, of course, Walk of Fame.
Los Angeles is home to the largest art museum in the Western United States - County Art Museum Los Angeles. It is notable for the fact that more than 150 thousand paintings are presented in the galleries of the museum. It is also one of the 100 most visited museums in the world. The website of the city has information about the work of not only this museum, but also many others.
Where to go near Los Angeles?
Los Angeles certainly has something to see, but there are many sights around the city that are known all over the world. If you are traveling by car, this will make it much easier for you if you want to get out of the city for a day or two. So, the first thing to mention is Disneyland in Anaheim. This is a well-known amusement park not only for children, but also for adults. Walt Disney took part in its creation. You can get to the park by car in just 30-40 minutes.
If you want to take a break from the bustle of the city and lie on the beach, sunbathing under the California sun, then you should go to the town of Laguna Beach. It has an excellent hotel with ocean views, clean beaches and delicious food in local establishments. You can get to the city in about an hour, provided there are no traffic jams.
Local cuisine and restaurants in Los Angeles
Since Los Angeles is a metropolis, there are really many restaurants in it. In the elite areas of the city, like West Hollywood, there are many fashionable gourmet restaurants, the prices of which are simply sky-high. Some of them belong to celebrities. But locals usually prefer to eat in simpler places. In Los Angeles, be sure to try the real Mexican burrito, tacos, oysters on ice, and the Mexican roast Cochinita pibil, which is made from pork marinated in a special way.
The best Mexican and American restaurants in Los Angeles according to tourists:
All shops, parks, restaurants and movie theaters have car parks attached to them. They can be both paid and free. The entrance to the toll roads is usually closed by a barrier. The price depends on the location of the parking - if in the city center, then the cost can reach up to 6 dollars per hour, in remote areas - a dollar per hour. You will need to take a ticket and park, and you will pay after leaving the parking lot at the actual time. In such parking lots, in no case should you leave a car in places for people with disabilities. Fines for such a violation are usually very high.
On the streets, you can park your car near the curbs, but carefully read the signs nearby. They will indicate how many minutes or hours you can leave the car in this place, as well as on what days and times it is strongly not recommended to do this. Also pay attention to the color of the borders. If it is not painted in any way, then you can leave the car near it for up to 72 hours.
Inexpensive parking addresses:
Aiso Parking Garage (101 Judge John Aiso St ). Price - $1/hour;
Visconti Garage (1221 W 3rd St). Price - $1/15 minutes;
Blossom Plaza (900 N Broadway). The price is $1/hour.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
25 € / Day
Best price
18 € / Day
Estimated cost for 7 days rental
January
€165
February
€138
March
€140
April
€194
May
€198
June
€226
July
€239
August
€229
September
€188
October
€171
November
€147
December
€220
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Los Angeles rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Los Angeles is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €20 for a Compact car.
During the summer months in Los Angeles there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Ford Mustang will cost you €333.
We have a large selection of different car models in our fleet in Los Angeles. You can rent convertibles, sedans, SUVs or minivans. You can easily select a car to your budget through a convenient online booking system.
We offer reasonable and fully justified rates with no overpayments or hidden fees. The cost is calculated taking into account the class of car and the duration of the rental period. The longer the period, the lower the daily rate. For compact models of the middle segment the daily price starts from €18, the fee for a middle-class car is €41-€35 per day. Business class will cost more - you will have to pay for it from €51 and above. The cost of rent depends on the season. Moreover, during the peak period, the price increases significantly. Especially for convertibles and rare models. For a popular model among our customers Ford Mustang you will have to pay at least €76 per day.
Recently, in Los Angeles has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Los Angeles, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Hyundai Ioniq.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car in advance
Los Angeles is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Los Angeles. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Citroen C1 or Opel Astra. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting BMW 5 Series Estate in Los Angeles will cost €38 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Los Angeles may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Los Angeles, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Los Angeles - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Los Angeles is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Los Angeles
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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