Rental cars in San Francisco
Our top branches in San Francisco, CA
Our services at San Francisco, CA
SIXT Car Rental in San Francisco
For car rental in San Francisco, find SIXT at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Union Square, and the Mission District. Select your vehicle from our fleet of premium cars, featuring new models from top brands. Flexible booking on the SIXT App lets you explore the Bay Area on your schedule. With a rental car in San Francisco, you’ll see famous sights, iconic neighborhoods, and top attractions in style. Take advantage of SIXT car rental in San Francisco to simplify trips around Northern California.
Reserve your SIXT car rental in San Francisco now for a premium travel experience.
Top Vehicle Options for Car Rental in San Francisco
- Compact Cars: Ideal for navigating city streets and parking downtown.
- SUVs: Perfect for outdoor excursions Muir Woods or driving the Pacific Coast Highway, with room for gear and luggage.
- Convertibles: Enjoy California sun while driving across the Golden Gate Bridge.
How much does car rental in San Francisco cost?
SIXT’s competitive rental car rates depend on several factors:
- Vehicle type: From space-saving compact cars to larger SUVs and stylish convertibles.
- Length of rental: Longer rental periods generally offer a better value. Check into weekend or weeklong rates versus single day rentals.
- Pick-up and return branch: Rates may vary by location.
SIXT Tip: Book early and compare dates to find the best rates.
Add-ons & Protection Packages
Customize your car rental with extras and choose your protection:
- Available add-ons: GPS, child seats, additional drivers, unlimited mileage.
- Choose the level of protection that suits you best.
Select your top add-ons for stress-free travel in San Francisco.
Driving Tips for San Francisco
Driving in San Francisco is not difficult, but be prepared to navigate hilly terrain and always obey city regulations.
Traffic Rules in San Francisco
- The default speed limit is 25 mph for residential streets.
- Headlights are required at night and during bad weather for safety.
- Always be alert for streetcar stops and pedestrian crossings, which have right of way.
Road Conditions and Navigation
- Roads are generally well-maintained, but steep hills in neighborhoods like Nob Hill and Russian Hill require careful maneuvering and attention.
- Many of San Francisco’s streets are one-way streets. Use GPS to ensure you follow the best route to your destination.
- Fog is a common weather feature in the Bay Area, which can affect visibility. Stay alert, especially in the morning.
Parking in San Francisco
Parking is managed via SFMTA garages and lots throughout the city, and be sure to take note of residential permit zones when parking on the street.
- Union Square Garage: Convenient for downtown shopping and theater visits.
- Moscone Center Garage: Ideal for conferences, exhibitions, and the Museum of Modern Art.
- Vallejo Street Garage: Best for exploring North Beach’s Italian eateries and Chinatown.
Fueling Instructions
You’ll find standard American octane fuel labeled as Regular (87), Midgrade (89), and Premium (91/93) at major gas stations throughout the city, such as Chevron and Shell. Payment is typically by credit/debit at the pump or inside.
SIXT Tip: Opt for our Refueling/recharging service to save time when returning your rental car.
Tolls
All major Bay Area bridges use the electronic FasTrak toll system; tolls apply on the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. You may also encounter tolls to access the express lanes on Bay Area highways, such as the 101, I-680, I-580, throughout the San Francisco metro region. Prepaid tolling is a top perk to streamline Bay Area navigation.
Top Places to Visit with a Rental Car in San Francisco
SIXT car rental in San Francisco provides easy access to the Bay Area’s famed landmarks and surrounding nature.
Golden Gate Bridge: Landmark of the Bay
- Distance from Union Square: 7 km (4.3 mi).
- Estimated driving time: 15 minutes.
The Golden Gate Bridge is world famous for its stunning views of the bay. Completed in 1937, this must-see destination has become a symbol of engineering excellence and city pride.
Golden Gate Park: Urban Oasis
- Distance from Union Square: 6 km (3.7 mi).
- Estimated driving time: 16 minutes.
Golden Gate Park features lakes, gardens, museums, and walking trails in a lush, expansive location. The park’s Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers are top highlights that attract visitors year-round.
Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf: Seaside Dining & Fun
- Distance from Mission District: 5 km (3.1 mi).
- Estimated driving time: 11 minutes.
Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf are lively waterfront destinations, known for fresh seafood, sea lion viewing, shops, and street performers. This area preserves San Francisco’s maritime history and offers attractions like the Aquarium of the Bay.
Twin Peaks: Skyline Views
- Distance from Union Square: 7 km (4.3 mi).
- Estimated driving time: 17 minutes.
Twin Peaks offers panoramic city views from its summit and is beloved by locals for sunset drives and photography. The area is accessible year-round and a short trip from downtown.
With car rental in San Francisco, you have the flexibility to visit the city’s best destinations on your schedule. Reserve your rental car now to see it all.
Customer reviews & feedback
What our customers are saying
*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in San Francisco, CA. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in San Francisco, CA
You can rent a car from the age of 21 or older with a valid driver’s license. Some car categories require drivers to be 25.
We accept credit and debit cards from major financial institutions. Some debit cards may require additional forms of ID.
We allow one-way rentals between SIXT stations across some States. In fact, one of our customers' most beloved routes is the scenic road trip from Colorado to California. An additional fee may apply.
Yes. SIXT places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup for the amount of the deposit. For payments with debit cards, please refer to our rental information for more details about deposits. The amount depends on the location and vehicle. Please check for more details on payment information in this article.
In the U.S., generally a minimum of $200 will be charged to the payment method for security purposes. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. Non-airport locations in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Illinois have higher minimum authorization amounts. Additional details on the deposit can be found in this article.
Reservations are by vehicle category (“or similar”), not by an exact model. When a "guaranteed model" option is shown for your dates and location, selecting it reserves that specific model. Otherwise, you’ll receive a comparable car in the same group with similar size and performance subject to availability.
The exact mileage policy for your booking is shown during the reservation process, so you’ll know what’s included before pickup.
Vehicles rented at most SIXT locations in the contiguous United States may be driven throughout the contiguous states. Travel into Canada must be in accordance with our geographical restrictions, which can be found in our rental information. Travel to Mexico is not allowed. If you drive outside authorized areas, a fee of $0.50 per mile will apply.
All renters and authorized drivers must present a valid, unexpired, original driver’s license at the time of rental. Renters with a non-U.S. driver's license may also need to provide a valid passport or other government-issued ID. Licenses in non-Roman alphabets (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic) must be accompanied by an international driver’s license. If the license is from a country not in the international driver’s license treaty, an official translation is required. See our rental information for full driver’s license and age requirements.
