Car rental in Bakersfield, CA
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Rental cars in Bakersfield, CA
Act naturally in Bakersfield
Situated in the heart of Kern County, Bakersfield is an underrated city with a rich history and classic vibe. Nicknamed the country music capital of the West Coast, it was home to Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, pioneers of the Bakersfield Sound that revolutionized both country and rock in the 1950s.
Today, Bakersfield is still a destination for live music, but it’s also home to award-winning museums, exciting restaurants, and a lively community.
Bakersfield favorites
Natural beauty meets old-timey music venues in classic Bakersfield.
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
A restaurant, museum, and music venue, the Crystal Palace honors music star and local legend Buck Owens, creator of the Bakersfield Sound subgenre of country music. One of Bakersfield’s hottest spots, the Palace also hosts a fun nightclub and plenty of concerts.
Fox Theater
Catch a theatrical performance, comedy show, or concert inside the famous Fox Theater. This historical gem, which opened Christmas day 1930, has stood the test of time, and served as a venue for early “talkies” and renowned classical musicians back in the day.
Hart Memorial Park
Vast parks and nature trails surround Bakersfield, but it’s hard to beat Hart Memorial Park. Located along the Kern River in the Sierra Nevada foothills, this 370-acre park is a great place to hike, cycle, and picnic.
Top hosts in Bakersfield, CA
Diana N.
Joe T.
Rent cars in Bakersfield, CA
Hit the road
It’s no wonder Bakersfield was a magnet for country music stars like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. The area around Bakersfield is a cowboy’s paradise: natural marvels and mining towns give way to panoramic scenery and vibrant California wildflowers. A short drive away, take your pick from mountain lakes and desert hills to delightful vineyards and living ghost towns.
Rent the perfect carLake Isabella
Just an hour northeast of Bakersfield is gorgeous Lake Isabella. Grab an innertube, a kayak, or a fishing pole and prepare for a cool day by the lake. Or check out the thousands of miles of hiking trails in nearby Sequoia National Forest.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Located in nearby Cantil, Red Rock features stunning rock formations, numerous petroglyphs, and colorful spring wildflowers. If the five-hour hike along the Nightmare Gulch Trail intimidates you, don’t worry. There are plenty of shorter, family-friendly trails in this massive state park.
Randsburg Ghost Town
A living ghost town may sound like a contradiction, but that’s exactly what Randsburg is. This old mining town still has a functioning ice cream parlor to stave off that sweltering California heat, as well as other shops and exhibits.
Recent reviews
Very good customer service and will have you in a car and out the door in no time.
Clean and good running vehicle that you can rent for a reasonable price with a debit card!
This car was great I would rent it again I had a wonderful weekend and I thank you it was also clean and was at the location on time once again thank you so much
Great Car I absolutely had Zero problems It's was comfortable clean Smooth driving This was the best experience I've ever had
He is OUTSTANDING TO RENT FROM HIM HIS CAR IS GREAT AND REALLY REASONABLE PRICES
The experience was very professional and friendly as usual. diana, jesus, the guest staff girl are all a great team. the mustang is a definite class action vehicle. great cars with even better customer service.
This was my second time renting this car, and once again, it was a great experience!
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Best Bakersfield driving roads
178 to Lake Isabella
Not only does the route to Lake Isabella have a great payoff at the end, it’s also fun getting there. On your way to the lake, you’ll pass the Kern River, Breckenridge Mountain, Miracle Hot Springs, and Silver City Ghost Town. So many places to stop along the way easily turns this into an exciting day trip.
Rancheria Road
Grab a full fuel tank and travel toward Lake Ming, then continue on Rancheria Road/Forest Rte 25S03. This scenic route travels past the Kern River before winding through orchards, cattle ranges, and the striking Greenhorn Mountains.
Central Valley Highway
Driving the Central Valley Highway toward Colonel Allensworth State Park, you’ll see desert hills and vast, rolling farmlands. Take a side trip to the Kern National Wildlife Refuge, where you can drive past flocks of wild birds and other animals.
Frequently asked questions in Bakersfield
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
To book a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, be 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for future road trips, business trips, and family vacations!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo. But, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. The liability insurance included in a protection plan is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.*
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
When booking a car on Turo, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier, Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of coverage that’s right for you. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers — $750,000 for the Premier plan.*
How do I get discounts on cars in Bakersfield?
How do I get discounts on cars in Bakersfield?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on cars in Bakersfield!
Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for Bakersfield trips booked a week or more in advance. So, get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.
What types of cars can I book in Bakersfield?
What types of cars can I book in Bakersfield?
Browse a wide selection of vehicles for all kinds of occasions and budgets on Turo. Find a full-size SUV for a family road trip, a pickup truck for some errands, or a sporty convertible for a special night out in Bakersfield. For the lowest prices, use the “budget-friendly” filter to browse economy vehicles.
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Bakersfield?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Bakersfield?
Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total miles or kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced cleaning practices, using the latest recommendations compiled from the CDC, EPA, WHO, and vehicle detailing experts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Is Turo a rental car company?
Is Turo a rental car company?
No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Are there cars available near the Bakersfield airport?
Are there cars available near the Bakersfield airport?
Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at locations near the Bakersfield airport. After arriving at Meadows Field Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, or Los Angeles International Airport, skip the rental counter and have your car delivered for pick-up and dropoff at your Bakersfield hotel or the address of your vacation rental to save time and hassle.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip (primary driver) can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add authorized drivers before your trip starts, though guests in the US and Canada can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress with no extra charges.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
What’s the best way to get to the Meadows Field Airport?
What’s the best way to get to the Meadows Field Airport?
The best and most convenient way to get to and from the Bakersfield Meadows Field Airport is by booking a car on Turo, so you can travel back and forth on your own time. The Meadows Field Airport is conveniently located about 15 minutes north of downtown Bakersfield, and the quickest route is via CA-204 and CA-99 to Merle Haggard Dr.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. Liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance that is included in protection plans, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site.
When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but Turo’s insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.