Avis Car Rental Introduce
For residents and visitors in California, a reliable vehicle is often the cornerstone of any successful trip, whether it’s navigating the urban sprawl of San Diego or embarking on a picturesque drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. Avis Car Rental, a globally recognized name, operates a key neighborhood location in the heart of Downtown San Diego, providing a comprehensive range of car and van rental services designed to meet diverse transportation needs. This article serves as an essential guide for local California users, focusing on the specific offerings and operational details of the Avis branch situated at 1350 Sixth Ave.
Avis is known for maintaining a large, modern fleet and offering a wide array of vehicle classes, from fuel-efficient compact cars perfect for finding parking in the Gaslamp Quarter to spacious SUVs, luxury sedans, and vans suitable for family road trips or transporting groups. Their Downtown location makes them a convenient choice for individuals staying in city hotels or needing a rental outside of the main airport car centers. As a major rental agency, Avis aims to offer streamlined services, flexible modifications, and secure booking processes. However, as is common with high-volume service providers, individual experiences can vary, and it is crucial for renters to meticulously confirm all details of their reservation before leaving the counter.
Recent customer feedback, both online and anecdotal, underscores the importance of this due diligence. While many customers utilize Avis successfully, some reports from the San Diego branch highlight challenges, including vehicle non-availability—even with a confirmed booking—leading to long wait times or unwelcome pressure to accept electric vehicles when a gasoline model was reserved. Other accounts detail issues with vehicle preparation, such as incorrect fuel level readings upon pickup, and concerns over optional clauses and extra charges being added to the rental agreement without clear explanation. Therefore, renters are strongly advised to carefully inspect the vehicle's condition, check the fuel level, and thoroughly review all final documentation before signing, to ensure all charges and conditions align with their reservation.
The Avis Car Rental office is strategically located in the downtown area, often referred to as the Gaslamp Quarter area, making it an excellent pick-up point for locals and visitors who do not wish to use the airport's main rental car center.
The official address for this branch is:
1350 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
This central location provides easy access to key San Diego landmarks, including the convention center, major hotels, and the bustling city hub, making it highly convenient for business travelers and tourists alike. The office is situated between Ash Street and A Street, positioning it within a short distance of major transit lines.
The branch’s standard hours of operation are typically:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
It is important to note that these hours are subject to change, especially on public holidays, which can often result in reduced hours or closures. Renters are advised to check the current operating schedule on the Avis website or call the branch directly when planning their pick-up and drop-off times.
This Downtown Avis location functions as a full-service car and van rental agency, providing a wide range of options to support various travel scenarios within California and beyond (subject to Avis's cross-border policies).
- Vehicle Rental: The primary service is the rental of a comprehensive fleet covering multiple classes, including economy, compact, intermediate, standard, full-size, premium, and luxury cars.
- Specialized Vehicle Rental: In addition to standard cars, the location offers van rental services, including passenger vans, as well as SUVs, convertibles, and specialized vehicles like electric and hybrid models (e.g., Tesla Model 3, Toyota Prius Hybrid).
- Flexible Payment Options: Avis accepts most major credit cards for rental and deposit. Critically, this location also accepts debit cards for payment, though specific policies regarding the security hold/deposit and required identification (like a credit check or a second form of ID) must be confirmed at the time of booking or pick-up. Prepaid debit and gift cards are generally not accepted for the required hold.
- One-Way Rentals: Avis facilitates convenient one-way rentals, allowing customers to pick up a vehicle at this downtown location and drop it off at another participating Avis office, which is ideal for travelers continuing their journey through California or to other states. Drop-off charges may apply.
- Long-Term Rental Options: The agency provides attractive rates for rentals lasting up to eleven months, serving seasonal workers, those needing emergency replacement vehicles, or individuals on extended vacations in the area.
- Optional Products: Services such as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Roadside Assistance, and the Fuel Service Option are available for purchase to enhance the rental experience.
Several features of the Downtown San Diego Avis branch stand out as beneficial for renters, particularly those prioritizing accessibility and specific discounts.
- Active Military Discounts: A significant highlight for the San Diego region, which has a large military presence, is the availability of discounts for active military members, though terms and verification requirements should be confirmed directly.
- High Accessibility Standards: The location promotes convenience for all customers by offering a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. This ensures smooth access to the counter and facility for renters with mobility challenges.
- Diverse, Modern Fleet: Avis is known for offering a wide selection of newer-model vehicles across all classes, including a growing number of electric and hybrid options, providing more choices to suit individual preferences for size, luxury, and fuel efficiency.
- Debit Card Acceptance: The acceptance of debit cards for payment—though with stricter requirements for the credit hold—offers necessary flexibility for customers who may not wish to use a credit card for the full transaction.
- Central City Location: Being situated in the Downtown/Gaslamp Quarter area makes this office highly convenient for urban-centric rentals, minimizing travel time from city accommodations or business centers.
To book a reservation, confirm vehicle availability, or inquire about specific rental policies and pricing, the following contact information should be used for the Downtown San Diego branch:
Address: 1350 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: (619) 544-0438
Mobile Phone: +1 619-544-0438
Avis Car Rental on Sixth Avenue in San Diego is a worthwhile choice for California users who benefit from its major-brand reliability and central location. Renters should consider this branch if their travel plans align with the following advantages:
- Centralized Access: The prime downtown location is unbeatable for those staying in or conducting business near the Gaslamp Quarter or convention center, offering a faster pickup than traveling to the airport.
- Special Discounts: Active military personnel can utilize the available discounts, providing a tangible benefit and savings on their rental costs.
- Van and Specialty Vehicle Needs: The agency's wide range of specialized vehicles, from passenger vans to high-end luxury cars and convertibles, ensures that nearly any specific transportation requirement can be met.
- Payment Flexibility: The acceptance of debit cards for payment (not just return) is a significant advantage for customers who prefer or need to use a debit account for their transaction.
While Avis provides many benefits, an experienced renter knows that meticulous attention to detail is key. To ensure a smooth experience that lives up to the brand's reputation, customers should verify their reserved car class and fuel level upon collection, and review the rental agreement thoroughly to avoid unexpected charges. By taking these proactive steps, California locals and visitors can leverage the convenience and extensive resources of the Avis Downtown San Diego branch for their travel needs.
Avis Car Rental Details
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Avis Car Rental Photos










Avis Car Rental Location
Avis Car Rental
1350 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Avis Car Rental Reviews
priceairportpick upphonegasparkingmoneydriveEVfee
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Disappointed with my experience at Avis San Diego. After checking in, I was simply handed the keys and told to walk to the lot to find my car—no assistance or guidance. I was told the gas tank was full, so I left to pick up my family. Once on the road, I noticed the tank was actually less than half full. I called to report the issue, and the woman I spoke with said I could return it at the same level but would still be charged. Completely unacceptable and frustrating. I expected better service and honesty from a major rental company.
June 27 · Steven LopesNever again with AVIS.We had booked a petrol car online with pick-up at 9 AM. When we arrived at the agency, they told us there were no cars available and offered us only an electric one. When we refused, they insisted there were no other options.We asked if they could check with the AVIS office at the airport, but they said it wasn’t possible. In the end, we had to wait two hours for another customer to return a car.On top of that, they made us sign a rental form without properly explaining the optional clauses, charging us extra costs we did not want.Unprofessional staff, terrible management. I strongly recommend avoiding this rental office.
September 05 · luca lodiDon’t do business here. Work for a company that has a business rate for us to book with Avis. Booked online, it showed multiple cars and rates available, all under $50. I showed up and the man said he had no cars but 2 and he would have to charge 5 times the original rate— I walked out the door but update your availability on the app. False advertisement and cancel my reservation if you can’t honor it or upgrade my car if you don’t have it available like most locations do. Just feels like a scam. Went to another location because I know better— but avoid this one as this can make someone feel like they have no other choice but to pay that.
July 03 · Brenda MBEWARE: I booked a car (through Booking.com) at this location. I arrived (this past week) and was handed keys after paying and told my car was parked in the garage. I found the car and realized it was a fully electric vehicle. I told the man working that I didnt want an EV and he said they dont book cars by fuel type, I have never had this issue before. I told him I was driving to Riverside, and then LA that day, both which had temps over 100 degrees. I told him i wanted a different car and was told it would be an additional cost. He showed me how to download the app for charging stations, but there wasnt even enough charge to get to my first stop. The app didnt allow me to filter for fast charging stations, and I spent over 4 HOURS that day driving to various stations, wasting time at slow charging stations and kept having the charge stop after 8 minutes of charging. A fellow EV driver told me this can happen when its super hot. Which was extra frustrating when you are standing out in 100 degree weather. I tried calling to ask for help and was told some generic info, not specific to the car. I spent 2 hours the next day doing similar things, charging where i could find stations near the highway, just to realize they were slow and would give me 5 miles of range for 30 minutes. I reviewed all my email confirmations and there was no verbiage about this policy. What an awful experience, never again. I was not surprised to see a frustrated customer arguing with the clerk when i returned the vehicle.
August 24 · Kim SmithMade reservations a week in advance and was told everything was in order. Upon arrival I was told that since I was using a debit card there would be a deposit hold placed on my account. Annoying, but ok fine. I was then told that they couldn’t even accept that, and that without a credit card I can’t rent a car at all, leaving me completely stranded in California. Absolutely ridiculous and infuriating. I guess they don’t like money.
September 19 · Charles Calvert
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