Car rental in Santa Barbara, CA
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Rental cars in Santa Barbara, CA
Fall in love with Santa Barbara
Set between the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is one of California’s most picturesque and historic cities. This artsy town grew up around the 1786 Franciscan Mission, which you can still visit today, and its storybook downtown area still reflects its Spanish roots.
But there’s more to this charming destination than just history. Upscale shops and fine dining go hand-in-hand with gorgeous beaches and perfect weather, making it all too easy to fall in love with this delightful seaside city.
Santa Barbara favorites
Tour the Old Mission, make a reservation at an incredible seaside cafe, and prepare to lose your heart in Santa Barbara’s shady streets.
Old Mission Santa Barbara
Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Old Mission is a living national historic landmark with a fascinating museum, colorful parish church, storied mausoleum, and more. Take a self-guided tour of the mission and grounds, then visit the gift shop for exquisite jewelry and art.
Santa Barbara Downtown
The beating heart of Santa Barbara is its downtown: where magnificent Spanish colonial architecture meets hip outdoor cafes and gelato vendors. Shop at the upscale Paseo Nuevo shopping center, taste some wine at the Funk Zone, and catch live entertainment at the gorgeous Arlington and Granada Theatres.
Stearns Wharf
At scenic Stearns Wharf, you can ride a water taxi, explore marine life, sample seafood with views of the harbor, and watch for pelicans. After dining with a view, satisfy your sweet tooth at Mother Stearns Candy Shop or the Great Pacific Ice Cream Company.
Rent cars in Santa Barbara, CA
Hit the road
Fun cities, pastoral towns, and a range of interesting sites surround Santa Barbara. A ferry ride away at the Channel Islands, you can hike in search of amazing views and dolphin sightings. Or stay on land and enjoy the natural beauty of nearby Cachuma Lake and the Santa Ynez Valley. If you’re into architecture and don’t mind putting up with a few tourists, check out Danish Solvang or the stunning Hearst Castle.
Rent the perfect carSolvang
In just about 40 minutes, you can travel from Spain to Denmark without leaving the state of California. After admiring Santa Barbara’s Spanish colonial vibe, head to Solvang to enjoy captivating Danish architecture, an 1800s Franciscan church, and the fabulous Hans Christian Andersen Museum.
The Santa Ynez Valley
Take a picture-perfect drive through the Santa Ynez Valley, home to quaint little towns like Santa Ynez and Los Alamos. Full of vineyards, art galleries, and even an ostrich farm, the valley is both calm and surprising.
Hearst Castle
It may be a longer road trip, but seeing William Randolph Hearst’s jaw-dropping hilltop mansion is worth the 137-mile drive. Featuring an indoor roman pool with ornate details, a massive collection of art, and landscaped grounds populated with zebras and bison, Hearst Castle is truly something you won’t see every day.
Recent reviews
There was a minor issue with the car just before pickup, but Joshua quickly took care of it.
Eduardo is friendly, responsive, and overall excellent and his car is fast and perfect. 100% would rent it again.
Super easy to drop off and pick up, very accommodating, car was clean and everything was perfect!
The car was beautiful and luxurious spotless when we got in and they even had waters on every door and a charger for both styles would highly recommend renting from this person if you wanna have a great enjoyable luxurious vehicle to drive with an awesome host.
Great car, drove very well especially for having almost 90k miles on it.
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Best Santa Barbara driving roads
Santa Barbara Scenic Drive
Give yourself two hours to explore this 25-mile drive through all Santa Barbara’s must-see sites. Starting from the Visitor Center, you’ll see beautiful beaches, charming neighborhoods, and a famous mission. For a truly perfect day, make a reservation at one of the many restaurants along the way.
Highway 154
Also known as San Marcos Pass, Highway 154 is one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic roads, and its ocean views are second to none. Fuel up for a windy drive along this mountain path that’s a perfect gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley, Lake Cachuma, and local wineries.
Alameda Padre Serra
Winding through the heart of Santa Barbara and along the riviera, a drive down Alameda Padre Serra provides up-close views of the city’s stone walls, downtown, harbor, and wharf. Start from the Old Mission and follow this classic road to Montecito, then hit up the beach for some rest and relaxation.
Frequently asked questions in Santa Barbara
What do I need to rent a car on Turo?
What do I need to rent a car on Turo?
To rent a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, have a valid driver’s license, get approved to drive on Turo, and be 18 years old or older in the US, 21 years old or older in Australia, or 23 years old or older in Canada.
In the UK, you must be 21 years old or older and have held a UK or EU license for at least one year, or another driver’s license for at least two years. In France, you must be 18 years old or older and have held a driver’s license for at least 2 years, longer for certain makes and models of vehicles.
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 all future road trips, day trips, and business trips!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to rent a car on Turo.
In the US, any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your Turo protection plan. When booking a car in the US, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier (eligibility requirements apply), Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of protection that’s right for you. On each trip, you’re covered with third-party automobile liability insurance provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company.*
In New York state, you’ll also choose between Premier (if available), Standard, or Minimum. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance of $1,250,000.* Protection plans for New York trips also include access to roadside assistance, priority phone support, and 24/7 customer assistance.
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 — up to $750,000 for the Premier plan.*
How do I get discounts on cars in Santa Barbara?
How do I get discounts on cars in Santa Barbara?
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 car rental alternatives in Santa Barbara!
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, so you can get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips.
See more about promotions & discountsWhat types of cars can I book in Santa Barbara?
What types of cars can I book in Santa Barbara?
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 Santa Barbara. For the lowest prices, use the “budget-friendly” filter to browse economy vehicles.
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Santa Barbara?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Santa Barbara?
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, unless you opt to receive a non-refundable trip discount when you book. 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 cancellation fee.
In the rare event a host cancels, you’ll be notified immediately so you can book another car, or we’ll help you find one. Your refund can be temporarily held to expedite rebooking, or the funds can be returned to your bank account — your choice.
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 Santa Barbara airport?
Are there cars available near the Santa Barbara airport?
Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at airport locations in Santa Barbara. After arriving at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Burbank Airport, or Los Angeles Airport, skip the rental counter and have your car rental alternative delivered for pick-up and dropoff at your Santa Barbara 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 types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Santa Barbara?
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Santa Barbara?
You can find nearly endless options for sports cars, luxury cars, and high-performance exotics on Turo. When you search by city, filter your search by category, vehicle type, or vehicle make to refine your results, or try the “Deluxe Class” and “Super Deluxe Class” filters to browse high-end luxury car rental alternatives near Santa Barbara.