Rental cars in San Pedro

[alaskakat]

So we're flying into LAX 2 night before our cruise in March and are planning on staying in San Pedro. We have one day to play and the kids want to go to Legoland so we'll need a car. Don't really want to pick it up from LAX and then have to return it there before getting on the ship. Is there a local rental car place near San Pedro? Ideally one we could get to early in the morning from our hotel and return the next morning before boarding the ship. We're not that picky about agencies but don't really like Enterprise too much.

[tmitchell82]

We stayed at the Crown Plaza the other week before our cruise on the Sapphire Princess. There was an Enterprise location within the hotel. I know you said you were not thrilled with Enterprise, but it might be an option. Harder to find companies like Avis at off airport locations.

[PatriciaF]

Legoland is quite a distance down the coast (around 90 miles whether you are starting at LAX or San Pedro). You might be better off renting a car at LAX driving down to Carlsbad and spending the night there.

 

You could drop one parent and the kids off at the hotel on the return and return the car at LAX. Only fare for one from LAX to San Pedro.

 

Or, just use Enterprise for the day!

[CaseyJr]

Enterprise is the only rental car company in San Pedro. They are closed on Saturdays and only open for a few hours on Sunday morning.

 

How about taking a cab to a rental car company in Long Beach?

[kenish]

If you're not keen on Enterprise (I've had very good experiences with them here in Orange County)...I'd recommend renting @ LAX on arrival and returning the car to either downtown Long Beach or LGB airport. The downtown locations have more limited hours and may not accept dropoffs from other locations if they are a "local" office. All the rental car websites will filter through all of this as part of the booking process. You will save the cost of a shuttle from LAX-SP by renting right away and have some convenience in SP.

 

Most rental companies consider the entire LA metro area as one location- you shouldn't have to pay a 1-way drop fee.

 

FYI if you're going to Legoland on a weekday you will want to leave the LAX/ San Pedro area no later than 530am or wait until 830am (I recommend the latter). Otherwise you're up for some pretty bad traffic on I-405. Coming back I'd wait until 600pm to leave the Carlsbad area. On a weekend traffic will not be a big issue.