Need for rental car for whole trip?

Mack151 · 11 Aug 21, 03:53 PM

Hi all, we are planning a trip to California next June and from reading here and TripAdvisor we won't pick up a rental car til we are leaving SF. Our current plan is to hopefully fly to Vegas, then fly to SF for 3/4 nights and pick up the rental car as we're leaving. We'll be heading to Monterey, Pismo Beach (or similar), then to LA - but for Universal Studios, not really looking at staying in LA itself. From there we go to Anaheim and then to San Diego. My question is do we need the rental once we're in Anaheim (just planning on being at Disney) and San Diego? Or can we rely on taxis and user? Was thinking we could get Amtrak from Anaheim to San Diego? Any thoughts or previous experiences welcome. Thanks

berneslai · 11 Aug 21, 04:12 PM

You don't say how many days you will be in Anaheim but, personally, I would keep the car in Anaheim (often free/cheap parking) and ditch the car after your drive to San Diego (expensive parking) where Uber is arguably more useful than the hire car. Obviously, if you are staying quite a few days in Anaheim then your plan may make sense as it would reduce the hire cost.

Mack151 · 11 Aug 21, 04:22 PM

We're still looking at how long to stay in each location but I was thinking 3/4 nights in Anaheim (will depend what ticket type we get for Disney- day only or park hopper). Then we'll finish out the holiday with 3/4 nights San Diego . We're not big shoppers but would probably do one afternoon outlet shopping so was thinking the car could still be useful there if there's any near Disney.

KarenG · 11 Aug 21, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mack151

We're still looking at how long to stay in each location but I was thinking 3/4 nights in Anaheim (will depend what ticket type we get for Disney- day only or park hopper). Then we'll finish out the holiday with 3/4 nights San Diego . We're not big shoppers but would probably do one afternoon outlet shopping so was thinking the car could still be useful there if there's any near Disney.

Uber from our Anaheim hotel to the outlets was about $7 each way

Mack151 · 11 Aug 21, 10:44 PM

Thank you both, appreciate it. DH thinks we may have to go later in the month which could leave us in Disney around 4th July which wouldn't be ideal so may have to look at reversing the trip and starting in SD and finishing SF. Back to the drawing board so 😉