Top rated 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.
Top hosts in Santa Barbara, CA
Daniel F.
Martin R.
Try car sharing 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.
Book 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
Luis was very responsive for any questions I had Pickup and drop off was easy Car was in perfect condition drove great and was great on gas with plenty of room Better than going through a standard car rental agency
Martin has a great car and even delivers to the Santa Barbara Airport (when he is available, which he was for my trip) for a reasonable price!
Incredibly easy pickup and such a fun car to drive around Santa Barbara
Anthony was very helpful in coordinating the pickup of the car at the Santa Barbara airport.
Having this car made our trip to Santa Barbara that much more enjoyable for us.
This car gets great gas mileage and is perfect for cruising around Santa Barbara.
I couldn’t think of a better ride for Santa Barbara and California coast.
Car was clean and in perfect working order and car was waiting for me when I touched down in Santa Barbara.
It was a super smooth experience & I would highly recommend renting this to enjoy Santa Barbara in style!
Ren was a great host and was able to deliver the car to the Santa Barbara airport, and dropping the car off was easy and convenient as well!
Went above and beyond to coordinate pickup, and his add on option of beach gear made our trip to Santa Barbara even better.
The car is in great shape and plan to rent Richard's BMW next time we're in Santa Barbara.
Ren made it very easy to pick up and drop off his car--perfect for our visit to Santa Barbara!
The Ford Fiesta was a fun drive and great on using little gas around Santa Barbara.
Drives like a dream, very clean ablnd well-kept, and you'd be very hard-pressed to find a better deal.
So glad I got to use this car and have such a great experience for my first time on Turo.
Omar was communicative and explained exactly where the car would be parked upon my arrival.
Chris was easy to communicate with and his car was just what we needed to explore beautiful Santa Barbara for my husbands birthday .
My husband and I rented JJ’s Fiat for a long weekend in Santa Barbara and it was perfect!!
He met us at the curb at Santa Barbara airport to hand off the car and gave me a clear rundown.
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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.