This was my first time renting a car for a self-drive trip in the US; before, I always walked or hired a car. I booked and picked up a car at Alamo, a rental company across from the Hilton in Union Square. I bought full insurance through Ctrip, so I didn't need to buy any insurance on-site, and no one tried to upsell me. Since I was staying at the same hotel, picking up the car was very convenient. I parked in the public parking lot next door, Mason O’Farrell, every night for about $45 a night—I forget exactly, but it was less than that price. The next day, the rearview mirror was inexplicably cracked without my noticing. The rental company said it was okay, as basic car insurance covers this kind of situation, and that I didn't need to replace the car. A friendly after-sales guy talked to me for a while and said it wouldn't affect driving and wouldn't fall off. After 16 days of driving, it indeed didn't fall off, and I finally returned the car safely at a drop-off point near Los Angeles Airport without any problems! There's a shuttle bus from the drop-off point to the airport terminal, but you need to tell them your airline so you don't get off at the wrong stop; ask the driver!