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Car rental Santa Barbara, CA

Discover the Turo car rental marketplace

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Extraordinary selection

From standard cars to supercars, find the perfect car for any occasion or budget

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Liability insurance included

Third-party liability insurance comes standard, and choose from a range of vehicle protection plans

Free cancellation

Easy airport pickup

You can skip the rental counter at 100+ airports across the US and Canada

Rental cars in Santa Barbara, CA

Average daily prices for a 3-day trip

Acura Integra car rental in Santa Barbara on Turo

Rent a car in Santa Barbara on Turo

Referred to as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a slice of the Mediterranean nestled on the Southern California coast, just waiting to be explored. A Santa Barbara car rental will give you the freedom to cruise the Pacific Ocean coast at your own pace and discover all the amazing beaches, delicious restaurants, palm tree-lined boulevards, and stunning vistas that the city has to offer.

A car rental can also transform your vacation, honeymoon, or other event into a Californian odyssey. With iconic cities just a short drive in any direction, there is no better way to discover California than with one of hundreds of rental car options from the Turo marketplace.

Santa Barbara, CA car rental: How it works

On Turo, renting a car in Santa Barbara is easy. Browse cars online, choose your preferred pickup location, book your car, and get on the road sooner. With pickup locations all across Santa Barbara, California and beyond, you'll be able to find the perfect car for whatever you have planned.

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1. Find the perfect car

Enter a date and location in Santa Barbara, CA (or beyond), filter to find the best car for you, and read reviews from previous renters.

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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.

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3. Hit the road

Your host sends you pickup details, and you’re all set to hit the roads of Santa Barbara, CA! If you have questions, you can easily chat with your host or contact support.

Recent Santa Barbara, CA car rental reviews

Porsche Taycan 2021

Beautiful car. Great experience! Definitely will use him again!

Richard
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Rachel
Kia K4 2025

great quality, easy communication! would definitely rent again.

Rachel
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Samuel
Tesla Model 3 2018

excellent host- seamless experience- great clean car!

Samuel
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Genesis G70 2022

The host was perfectly professional and the car was spotless. It was a great experience.

Matthew
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Kia K4 2025

Thank you I left the car outside as instructed at 2.55 thank you:)

Bridget
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Porsche Taycan 2021

Gorgeous car, better than described, and communications were terrific, what a great host!

Melanie
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David Martin
Porsche 356 Speedster 1957

Amazing car and Will was a fantastic and flexible host!

David Martin
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Alexis
Toyota Camry 2024

Max was a great host. The best part was his flexibility with delivering the car, which made the whole trip way more convenient.

Alexis
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Holly L.
Toyota Camry 2024

Max is a great host. He is very responsive and helps us a lot. We will definitely rent a car from him next time we visit Santa Barbara!

Holly L.
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Chevrolet Bolt EV 2021

The car rides super well! Josiah is an excellent host and is very helpful and kind! 10/10 would rent again

Lucas
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Brett
Tesla Model S 2016

Jordan was a great host and car was everything I expected and more! Will rent again for sure.

Brett
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Clayton D.
Porsche 356 Speedster 1957

This was an incredible experience. From pickup to dropoff everything was smooth, and it was the best way to experience this type of vintage vehicle in one of the best places. Loved every minute, thanks Will!

Clayton D.
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Armando Carlos Ii
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2025

This car is fantastic; I would definitely recommend it.

Armando Carlos Ii
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Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2023

The car was left exactly where I asked for it to be dropped off. The owner was super great. Will be renting again from them in the future!! Thank you.

Sofia
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Travis
Volkswagen Jetta 2014

Clean car worked, great and easy pick up, with friendly host.

Travis
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Shawn
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2025

Great car great gas mileage which with these prices is a plus and communication was great. Definitely recommend.

Shawn
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Rent a car and explore Santa Barbara, CA

Things to do and places to see in Santa Barbara, CA

Whether you want to discover its iconic Spanish architecture, take the kids to Santa Barbara Zoo, or relax at a gorgeous seaside cafe, you won't be able to resist falling in love with Santa Barbara's beauty and attractions. Discover some of the most iconic Santa Barbara locations.

Rent the perfect car
Santa Barbara, CA

Old Mission Santa Barbara

This stunning landmark dates back to the founding of the city in 1786, and since then has become known as the "Queen of the Missions" for its wondrous architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The city's unique Spanish, Indigenous, and Mexican history is expressed across the Mission's gardens, towers, and museum, making it unmissable for anyone visiting the Santa Barbara area.

Downtown Santa Barbara

Downtown Santa Barbara is the city's beating heart, where traditional Spanish colonial architecture mingles with modern eateries, plenty of luxury shopping, and an abundance of art and activities to discover. Wander the iconic State Street, sample delicious street food at the Santa Barbara Public Market, or investigate the art and history of the area at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. During your stay, you can't miss a visit to the Funk Zone, an ex-industrial area that has been transformed into a premier wine and craft beer district.

Santa Barbara Coast

The Santa Barbara Harbor is where you'll find some of the city's best attractions, including sampling seafood and harbor views at the historic Stearns Wharf, or panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez mountains from Shoreline Park. If you're up for an adventure, hop on a boat to search for Humpback whales.

Why Rent a car on Turo?

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Cheap Santa Barbara, CA car rental

Find deals on all kinds of drives in Santa Barbara, CA and throughout the US - from the everyday to the extraordinary. Rent the perfect vehicle for your budget.

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Convenient Santa Barbara, CA 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 Santa Barbara, CA, like airports, train stations, and hotels.

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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.

Santa Barbara car rentals for any occasion

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Wedding Car Rental

A wedding car rental means you can arrive at your venue in comfort and style. Santa Barbara is the perfect spot for a sunny, beachside wedding, and on Turo, you can choose from a range of classic cars, sporty convertibles, or premium luxury sedans to suit any wedding vibe. There are also plenty of practical vehicles, like premium vans for transporting guests from the airport or hotel.

California Road Trip Car Rental

Santa Barbara is the perfect place to kick off an epic California road trip, with Los Angeles only a short drive east and iconic cities like San Diego and San Francisco north or south along the Pacific coast. A spacious SUV or minivan will give you the flexibility to carry the whole family and plenty of cargo. If you're looking for something more romantic, a luxury sports car or premium luxury SUV will carry you to relaxing locations like Palm Springs.

Long Term Car Rental

If you're planning on spending a few weeks or months in Santa Barbara, you can arrange a long-term rental vehicle on Turo to ensure you have the freedom and flexibility to explore the area at your own pace. A fuel-efficient vehicle or an electric luxury sedan can help you keep costs low, or opt for a practical vehicle like a pickup truck if you're in town for work or visiting nearby outdoor areas and state parks.

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 Santa Barbara

Get your vehicle delivered right to you or wherever you’re going in Santa Barbara, CA, including Santa Barbara, CA airport. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest, like airports, train stations, and hotels. Popular Santa Barbara, CA pickup locations include:

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Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is just a 7-mile drive from the center of the city, making it a perfect place to arrange a pickup with your Turo host. You can skip the busy airport rental car counters and pick up your vehicle straight from the parking lot, and enjoy the classic Santa Barbara coastal and alpine views within minutes. Don't forget to check out the terminal's gorgeous Spanish architecture before you leave!

Downtown Santa Barbara

If you're a local or just want to skip the airport madness, you can arrange to pick up your vehicle right from the center of Downtown Santa Barbara. Whether it's a luxury hotel or the coastal boardwalk, Turo's marketplace offers you the flexibility to start your journey anywhere and explore California on your own schedule.

Los Angeles Airport

If you're coming from an international destination, you're probably going to be arriving at the much larger Los Angeles airport. There are hundreds of rental car options available to you on the Turo marketplace, which means you can easily arrange to pick up your vehicle from outside the airport terminal and be cruising your way to Santa Barbara in no time at all.

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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.

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Pickup near or at Airports

Top tips for renting a car in Santa Barbara


Your itinerary and pick up location are just one part of planning your journey. Read on for some tips on getting around Santa Barbara in your rental car to make sure you get the most out of your trip!


What are the road rules and driving conditions in Santa Barbara?


Although driving in Santa Barbara is usually pretty relaxed, there are some quirks to keep an eye out for. Pedestrians have the right of way, so take things slow and keep an eye out in busy areas. The State Street Promenade is closed to cars, so you'll need to park and explore on foot. Some streets and parking areas have restrictions on large vehicles like trucks and RVs.


What is parking like in Santa Barbara?


Parking is free for the first 75 minutes in most downtown spots, and then an hourly rate applies. We recommend downloading the PayByPhone app for a handy way to keep track of your parking. Santa Barbara has plenty of hills, so take care when parking and be sure to curb your wheels on hills to keep everyone safe.


Are there toll roads in Santa Barbara?


There are no toll roads in Santa Barbara or the surrounding county, so no need to worry if you're staying close to the city. If you plan to drive further afield, be aware that some highways in parts of Southern California use toll lanes or toll roads, depending on your route.


Are there gas stations and EV chargers in Santa Barbara?


There are plenty of EV chargers and gas stations across Santa Barbara, particularly in hot spots like downtown and the coast, so you'll never be far from a top-up.


Do I need to rent a car in Santa Barbara?


Although Santa Barbara has a decent public bus system, you'll need a rental car if you want to explore everything the city and wider region have to offer at your own pace.

Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara 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 works

Is 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 & discounts

Is 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 Santa Barbara? 

The cost of car rental in Santa Barbara can vary depending on car type, booking length, extras, and delivery. For cheap car rental in Santa Barbara, look out for discounts on longer-duration bookings and early bookings.

What rental car types are there in Santa Barbara?

There are hundreds of vehicles available for rent on Turo to suit any adventure. If you plan on cruising the boulevards of Santa Barbara in style, you might want to opt for a convertible Ford Mustang or a performance model like the BMW M4. A family road trip will require a larger, reliable vehicle to carry the whole family, so you may wish to opt for an SUV like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. The Turo marketplace also has plenty of practical options if you're a local moving houses, such as the Ford Transit or Chevy Silverado.

* 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.