Car rental Costa Mesa, CA
Discover the Turo car rental marketplace
- Car rental
- United States
- Costa Mesa
Extraordinary selection
From standard cars to supercars, find the perfect car for any occasion or budget
Liability insurance included
Third-party liability insurance comes standard, and choose from a range of vehicle protection plans
Easy airport pickup
You can skip the rental counter at 100+ airports across the US and Canada
Rental cars in Costa Mesa, CA
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip
Ferrari F8 Spider
2021
•4.97
(75)
Rolls-Royce Dawn
2018
•5.0
(5)
Nissan Altima
2025
•New listing
Toyota Corolla
2022
•5.0
(1)
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
2025
•5.0
(2)
Kia K5
2025
•New listing
BMW 5 Series
2018
•5.0
(12)
Nissan Sentra
2025
•4.97
(38)
Tesla Model 3
2023
•4.98
(203)
Rent a car in Costa Mesa on Turo
It's a smart move to book a car rental in Costa Mesa. Roomy SUVs work great for family outings, beach trips, and group adventures. Luxury sedans are ideal for business meetings, special occasions, and scenic drives. There are many car rental rates and vehicles to choose from, making it simple to find a model that matches your travel plans.
There's so much to see, do, and explore in Costa Mesa. Having your own transportation will make the trip much more enjoyable. You won't have to worry about booking ride shares or sticking to shuttle bus schedules. Whether you want to head to South Coast Plaza or the Newport Beach pier, you'll have the freedom to explore on your own time.
Costa Mesa car rental: How it works
On Turo, renting a car in Costa Mesa is easy. Browse cars online, choose your preferred pickup location, book your car, and get on the road sooner. With pickup locations all across Costa Mesa, California and beyond, you'll be able to find the perfect car for whatever you have planned.
1. Find the perfect car
Enter a date and location in Costa Mesa, CA (or beyond), filter to find the best car for you, and read reviews from previous renters.
2. Select a pickup location
Rent a car nearby or get one delivered to various destinations, including many airports, train stations, hotels, or maybe even your home.
3. Hit the road
Your host sends you pickup details, and you’re all set to hit the roads of Costa Mesa, CA! If you have questions, you can easily chat with your host or contact support.
Recent Costa Mesa car rental reviews
Great host and an excellent car. The rental process was smooth, easy, and hassle-free from start to finish. The vehicle was clean, reliable, and exactly as described. Communication was prompt and helpful throughout the trip. I would definitely rent from this host again and highly recommend them to others.
Great rental car that helped me get all my errands completed! Great on gas and has a sporty drive & handling. I've rented from Mr. Summer (Host) over half a dozen times already and he runs a smooth and hassle free car rental experience. I will continue to use his fleet of various cars so it's a new adventure every time. Thank you again Summer for providing such a great service.....which makes my life a little easier & more enjoyable!
This was the best and easiest car rental I have ever experienced.
Great experience from start to finish. The car drove smoothly, was clean, reliable, and made my trip stress-free. The host was professional, communicative, and very accommodating throughout the rental process. I truly appreciated the experience and would definitely book again whenever I’m back in town. Highly recommend. Thank you again for being a great host!
Pickup was seamless and the drop-off process at the garage was just as easy. The car was very clean, well-maintained, and exactly as described. I thoroughly enjoyed driving it throughout the trip. The highlight was definitely the convertible top; it made cruising around and enjoying the California sunshine even more memorable. Overall, a great experience, and I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable ride. Niko was also a fantastic host; very responsive, friendly, helpful, and easy to communicate with throughout the entire rental process.
The entire rental process with Khanh was very smooth. Khanh responds to all inquiries very quickly and has a very pleasant communication. The car was flawless, as advertised, very comfortable, everything worked, and it performed excellently during the trip. Very economical. I will definitely return to Khanh next time I need a car during my stay in the US – the price was also very good. Khanh – thank you for your cooperation. Best regards – Tom
The owner of the Toyota Corolla hatchback I rented was very friendly, helpful, and even offered to load my suitcase into the car. The price for renting the car was very competitive. Overall the experience was great, and the car was reliable for my long trip.
From the very start of my reservation for the 2013 Subaru, the host Belen was very communicative. She helped with pick up options for the car and made the process clear. On pickup, the car was clean and clearly well maintained. There were no issues that came up while driving, but I feel confident that if there had been, I could have communicated quickly with Belen and then any issues would have been resolved. Overall, I had a great experience with renting from Belen. I will definitely be specifically searching for her available car rentals when I rent a car again in future.
The whole process of picking up and dropping it off the car was so easy. The host was very accommodating I will use Turo again when I need to rent a car.
This was the perfect First time Turo booking ! Easy process, great price, and Super Friendly Host! And the car was very clean, and well taken care of. Great on gas too!!! I definitely will be booking again for my next trip!
Renting from Summer has always been pretty easy and am a returning customer. They always have great rates & a wide variety of cars for different occasions to choose from. Extending times was also fairly easy (luckily the car I was using wasn't already booked) so it really helped when I needed the car longer than my initial reservation. I definitely will use again.
I had an excellent experience renting this 2025 Tesla Model 3 from Nick. The vehicle was reliable, clean, comfortable, and a pleasure to drive the entire time. It was exactly as described and clearly very well maintained. Nick is a great host, I loved working with him. He’s super responsive, professional, and made the entire rental process easy from start to finish. Any questions I had were answered quickly (almost instantly, really), and communication was always smooth. I really appreciated how accommodating and helpful he was throughout my trip. I absolutely recommend renting from Nick. He’s my go to, #1 host and I plan to continue renting from him in the future. 🤩🥳😎🤓☺️
Car was amazing and so happy it was a hybrid. Made fueling more economical. Han was very helpful and patient. We will rebook again when we return to SoCal. Amazing host. First time with Turo. Great alternative to traditional car rental and you can’t beat the price.
10/10 on everything! This was a same day, last minute reservation and Sebastian made every minute of it effortless! The car was detailed and super clean! I would highly recommend to anyone looking to book 😊
Wow, amazing slingshot rental! Van is so helpful and made drop off and pickup easy! He was okay with me extending as well which was super convenient! Already booked my next trip with him! Good on gas as well! Came out for my brothers graduation and everyone loved the car! Really great car to take on a cruise with! Its super close to the Santa Ana OC airport! So it was easy for me to get dropped off and picked up to fly in and out of there! Host was super responsive and answered any questions for me! Thank you again Van wish you nothing but the best on your rental!
Great rental experience overall. The Nissan was very clean when I picked it up, drove smooth, and the A/C worked perfectly. The car was comfortable, reliable, and had no issues during my trip. Would definitely rent this vehicle again.
Rent a car and explore Costa Mesa, CA
Things to do and places to see in Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa is well-known for its stunning parks, gorgeous beaches, and beautiful arts scene. There are activities and attractions for people of all ages. Starting your mornings with a coastal walk or a local cafe breakfast is an excellent way to begin each day in Orange County with more energy.
Rent the perfect car
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is a tranquil destination packed with protected wetlands, picturesque pathways, and amazing wildlife-watching possibilities. Along the waterfront, guests can stroll, jog, ride bikes, or just relax and take in breathtaking views of the bay. Because it hosts hundreds of species year-round, this location is a favorite among birdwatchers and nature photographers.
Noguchi Garden
Stunningly conceived by the illustrious artist Isamu Noguchi, Noguchi Garden (also called "California Scenario") is an outdoor sculpture park. As you walk through the pathways and look at each installation, you'll find yourself reflecting on how art and nature blend with one another. Geometric sculptures, symbolic landscapes, and textured stonework provide the perfect backdrop for sparking your curiosity and starting meaningful conversations.
Costa Mesa Golf Course
The two 18-hole layouts at Costa Mesa Golf Course are always immaculate, and the property’s lovely fairways and friendly, casual vibe make it a favorite among players of all abilities. The course features expansive greens, beautiful scenery, and an entertaining and demanding layout. A driving range, practice grounds, and a clubhouse are also available.
Why Rent a car on Turo?
Cheap Costa Mesa, CA car rental
Find deals on all kinds of drives in Costa Mesa, CA and throughout the US - from the everyday to the extraordinary. Rent the perfect vehicle for your budget.
Convenient Costa Mesa car rental pick up options
Get your car delivered right to you or wherever you’re going. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest in Costa Mesa, CA, like airports, train stations, and hotels.
Relax with support & damage protection
24/7 support and roadside assistance mean help is just a call away, plus you can choose from a range of protection plans.
Costa Mesa car rentals for any occasion
Wedding car rental
Costa Mesa is full of gorgeous venues that work great for weddings. Whether you're in town for your own big day or someone else's, having a luxury sedan or SUV will ensure you get to and from each event in style and comfort. From photo ops to receptions to rehearsal dinners, you won't have to worry about being late for all of the most important moments.
Business trip car rental
South Coast Plaza, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts area, and the nearby business districts are hot spots for business meetings and conferences thanks to their central location and professional atmosphere. As you travel to these venues from your hotel, you'll find it much easier to stay on schedule if you have a reliable rental vehicle. Maybe you want to take a client to dinner or host a quick coffee meeting. Transporting them to the venue in a luxury SUV or premium sedan will leave a strong impression.
Spring break car rental
Costa Mesa is a convenient home base for spring breakers heading to nearby beaches, nightlife spots, and Orange County’s popular shopping districts. There are plenty of places to unwind with friends or spend an evening out. The LAB Anti-Mall and The CAMP are great group hangouts when you want to explore, eat, or relax. Having one vehicle for the whole group makes it much easier to get to each activity throughout the trip.
Turo vs. traditional car rental
Turo
App-based experience
No waiting in line
1,600+ unique makes & models
Get the exact car you choose
Delivery options & thousands of pickup locations
Cars rented out by local small businesses
Vehicles and hosts rated by guests
Traditional car rental
Standard rental counter experience
Waiting in line
Limited car selection
Get one type of car “or similar”
Pickup at retail locations
Cars owned by large corporations
No vehicle ratings
Rental car pickup locations throughout Costa Mesa
Get your vehicle delivered right to you or wherever you’re going in Costa Mesa, CA, including Costa Mesa, CA airport. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest, like airports, train stations, and hotels. Popular Costa Mesa, CA pickup locations include:
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Forget about standing in line at the airport car rental counter. When you book a car rental in Costa Mesa on Turo, you can arrange the pickup right at the John Wayne Airport. Just step off the plane, grab your luggage, and head to the parking garage listed on the Details page of your booking in the Turo app. Rental pickups are allowed in parking garages A1, A2, B2, and C.
South Coast Plaza
This location sits on a main arterial road running through Costa Mesa, putting you right next to luxury boutiques, fine dining, and popular entertainment venues. There are several parking lots that include plenty of space for doing a rental pickup. The lots are open to the public seven days a week. You’ll have easy access to major freeways, including the 405 and the 73. There’s clear signage at all entrances and exits so you can easily navigate the property.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts Area
There are more than 1,200 parking spaces at this attraction. Several parking areas have spots for large vehicles, making it ideal for picking up passenger vans, large SUVs, or cargo vehicles. You'll be right next to major highways like the 405 and the 55. Some of the nearby hotels include The Westin South Coast Plaza and Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa. You may or may not have to pay a parking fee depending on which lot you use and whether an event is taking place.
Airport pickup made easy
Next time you fly, don’t wait in line and fill out forms — pick your car up at hundreds of popular airports.
Convenient pickup & return
Rather than hustling at the busy terminal curbside, take your time picking up the car at approved parking lots or garages. Check in, load up your luggage, and get comfortable with the car without a big rush.
No lines, no paperwork
Skip the rental car counter at hundreds of popular airports without waiting in line or filling out paperwork. Find and pick up the car with the app and hit the road in no time.
Free cancellation
Cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts, unless you opt to receive a non-refundable trip discount when you book. Because life happens and it helps to be flexible when it does.
Pickup near or at Airports
Car rental locations near Costa Mesa, CA
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Top tips for renting a car in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa offers shopping, dining, and lots of entertainment. Having a good time greatly depends on your ability to navigate the area and plan ahead. Here are some tips you can use to make your trip stress-free.
What are the road rules and driving conditions in Costa Mesa?
Always follow the posted speed limit signage and keep in mind that school zones often have reduced speeds. Don't use your cell phone unless it's in hands-free mode. The South Coast Plaza area tends to experience heavier traffic, especially during weekends and evening hours. There are lots of tourists and locals here who like to travel by bicycle. You should always maintain a three-foot buffer with cyclists to keep everyone safe and comfortable. During the morning time, the coastal fog may reduce visibility, so be sure to slow down and use your headlights.
What is parking like in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa in Orange County provides plenty of parking. The mall areas typically offer free parking, but you'll want to check posted signs for time limits. Metered parking areas are available in some commercial zones. The residential areas have some parking, but several restrict it during certain hours. At places like The LAB Anti-Mall or The CAMP, parking tends to fill up fast during weekend evenings.
Are there toll roads in Costa Mesa?
You won't come across any toll roads in Costa Mesa, but if you head toward Newport Beach on the toward Irvine on the 133, you may come across some. Certain toll routes require a FasTrak transponder or online payment to settle the fee. If you want to avoid these tolls, you can plan an alternate route using non-toll highways.
Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Costa Mesa?
You'll find plenty of options for topping off your gas tank and getting convenience snacks and beverages. Stores like Shell and ARCO both offer basic travel supplies and quick grab-and-go food items. Orange County, including Costa Mesa, has a wide variety of public charging stations for electric vehicle rentals. Some of the more popular spots include the stations at South Coast Plaza, IKEA Costa Mesa, and Costa Mesa Courtyards.
Do I need to rent a car in Costa Mesa?
With your own set of wheels, you can come and go and do as you please during your trip in Costa Mesa. Maybe you want to visit the Newport Beach shoreline, followed by an evening of dining near the harbor. Or perhaps you're visiting for a wedding and you want to take a scenic drive while you're in town. A rental vehicle gives you the freedom to explore Orange County at your own pace.
Top tips for renting a car in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa offers shopping, dining, and lots of entertainment. Having a good time greatly depends on your ability to navigate the area and plan ahead. Here are some tips you can use to make your trip stress-free.
What are the road rules and driving conditions in Costa Mesa?
Always follow the posted speed limit signage and keep in mind that school zones often have reduced speeds. Don't use your cell phone unless it's in hands-free mode. The South Coast Plaza area tends to experience heavier traffic, especially during weekends and evening hours. There are lots of tourists and locals here who like to travel by bicycle. You should always maintain a three-foot buffer with cyclists to keep everyone safe and comfortable. During the morning time, the coastal fog may reduce visibility, so be sure to slow down and use your headlights.
What is parking like in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa in Orange County provides plenty of parking. The mall areas typically offer free parking, but you'll want to check posted signs for time limits. Metered parking areas are available in some commercial zones. The residential areas have some parking, but several restrict it during certain hours. At places like The LAB Anti-Mall or The CAMP, parking tends to fill up fast during weekend evenings.
Are there toll roads in Costa Mesa?
You won't come across any toll roads in Costa Mesa, but if you head toward Newport Beach on the toward Irvine on the 133, you may come across some. Certain toll routes require a FasTrak transponder or online payment to settle the fee. If you want to avoid these tolls, you can plan an alternate route using non-toll highways.
Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Costa Mesa?
You'll find plenty of options for topping off your gas tank and getting convenience snacks and beverages. Stores like Shell and ARCO both offer basic travel supplies and quick grab-and-go food items. Orange County, including Costa Mesa, has a wide variety of public charging stations for electric vehicle rentals. Some of the more popular spots include the stations at South Coast Plaza, IKEA Costa Mesa, and Costa Mesa Courtyards.
Do I need to rent a car in Costa Mesa?
With your own set of wheels, you can come and go and do as you please during your trip in Costa Mesa. Maybe you want to visit the Newport Beach shoreline, followed by an evening of dining near the harbor. Or perhaps you're visiting for a wedding and you want to take a scenic drive while you're in town. A rental vehicle gives you the freedom to explore Orange County at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions about Costa Mesa car rentals
What documents and paperwork do you 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!
What kind of license do I need to rent a car on Turo?
Turo accepts valid licenses (not expired, suspended, or revoked) that allow for full driving privileges; this includes driver’s licenses issued outside of the US. Licenses that Turo doesn’t accept in the US include any that have expired, have been altered, are conditional, probational, provisional, or restricted. Learner’s permit/instruction permits are not accepted.
Do I need to be a certain age to rent a car on Turo?
To rent a car on Turo in the US, you must be 18 years old or older.
How does car rental insurance work on Turo?
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.
Can I get car rental discounts on Turo?
You can get discounts and low cost car rental on Turo.
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 promo codes, discounts, and deals.
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.
Learn how the loyalty bonus worksIs there long term car rental on Turo?
Yes there is - whether you want to rent a car for three days, three months, or even longer, you can on Turo. You’ll find discounted prices on bookings 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 & discountsIs there unlimited mileage car rental on Turo?
Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit — you’ll need to check on each rental car individually to see if this service is provided. 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.
Can other people drive the car that I rented?
Yes, multiple guests can drive the car you rent on Turo, as long as they are all approved to drive. The primary driver (whoever rented the car) can add additional drivers with no fees or additional charges. Only the primary driver can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add additional drivers before your trip starts, though guests can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress.
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.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Costa Mesa?
The cost of car rental in Costa Mesa can vary depending on car type, booking length, extras, and delivery. For cheap car rental in Costa Mesa look out for discounts on longer-duration bookings and early bookings.
What rental car types are there in Costa Mesa?
You'll have a long list of rental options to choose from when you book on Turo. Here are some of the top picks:
- Luxury SUV: A Cadillac Escalade or BMW X7 gives you plenty of room for stylish group outings around South Coast Metro.
- Convertible: A Mustang Convertible or BMW Z4 lets you enjoy warm coastal breezes as you cruise toward Newport Beach.
- Sports car: A Porsche 911 or Corvette Stingray turns a simple drive past Segerstrom Center into a thrilling nighttime experience.
- Hybrid: A Toyota Prius or Honda Accord Hybrid keeps Costa Mesa errands efficient, quiet, and easy on fuel.
- Cargo van: A Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster handles event gear and bulky items effortlessly when you're setting up at the OC Fairgrounds.
- Crossover: A Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V helps you hop between cafes, parks, and shopping districts without missing a beat.
* 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. In the US, 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.