

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
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip

BMW M8
2025
•5.0
(9)

Porsche Taycan
2025
•New listing

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
2022
•5.0
(2)

Lotus Emira
2024
•4.97
(33)

Lexus LC
2021
•5.0
(2)

Ferrari 488 Spider
2017
•5.0
(7)

Porsche 911
2022
•5.0
(8)

Tesla Model S
2021
•5.0
(14)

Lucid Air
2023
•4.98
(48)

Golden beaches, misty redwood forests, and rugged coastal highways –– Santa Cruz is a city made for exploring. Car rental in Santa Cruz on Turo lets you roam beyond the boardwalk, from the hidden tide pools of Natural Bridges to the towering trees of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Cruise down West Cliff Drive, take the scenic route along Highway 1, or chase the perfect wave at Steamer Lane, all with the freedom to go wherever the road calls.
With a range of cars available to rent on Turo, finding the right vehicle is easy. Opt for a convertible to feel the salt air as you drive the coast, book a pickup truck for hiking trails and surf days, or grab a compact car for easy downtown parking. However you choose to explore, renting a car in Santa Cruz gives you the flexibility to make every mile unforgettable.
On Turo, renting a car in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, California and beyond, you'll be able to find the perfect car for whatever you have planned.

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

Rent a car nearby or get one delivered to various destinations, including many airports, train stations, hotels, or maybe even your home.

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

Judy is really nice and made the pick up and drop off process easy. When I had any questions, she was quick to reply and very polite. The car was smooth, clean, and comfortable for a long drive. I drove to San Diego, then to Arizona, back to San Diego and back to drop off and had no issues with the car. I would definitely rent again in the future if needed!

Car was great. Adam great! I had difficulty with the Tesla app so that was only thing that took extra time in pick up and drop off. No big deal just used card. Highly recommend

Car was good, it has some small cosmetic issues but had no mechanical issues whatsoever. I was perfectly satisfied. The host was clear, helpful, and guided me through my first Turo rental! I appreciated the entire process. Thank you!
Host was great, communicated well and was very helpful. Car was perfect, smooth, great car to drive. Would definitely rent it again.

Great trip! It was awesome being able to find a hybrid car here in Santa Cruz. I highly recommend! Cheers!


The car was great and as advertised, the service was top tier. I would recommend this car and the wonderful host in the future.


Car was clean and wonderful to drive! I would totally drive this car again. What a breeze

This car is an absolute beast! One of the most fun driving experiences I’ve ever had.

The car was great. It was a comfortable ride, spacious for the family and luggage. Host makes the process easy and he's accommodating.

Great car and great host. Easy drop off/pick up and fair price for a nice car

Mateen was a really kind, friendly, communicative and responsive host. He was very helpful when it came to explaining details about the car. The car was a great drive!!
Rent a car and explore Santa Cruz, CA
With its laid-back surf culture, redwood forests, and artistic vibes, Santa Cruz has coastal charisma down to a fine art. From browsing vintage shops along Pacific Avenue to exploring lush trails in Henry Cowell Redwoods, there's always something new to discover. With a car rental in Santa Cruz on Turo, you'll find your real adventure waiting beyond the city limits.
Rent the perfect car
Stretching out into Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz Wharf offers panoramic ocean views, fresh seafood restaurants, and excellent whale-watching opportunities. Visit early in the morning to catch sea lions basking in the sun, then stroll through local shops and eateries along the wooden pier. With plenty of nearby parking, having your own wheels makes spending a leisurely day here effortless.
Famed for its dramatic sandstone arch and seasonal monarch butterfly migrations, Natural Bridges is a favorite among locals. Explore tide pools teeming with marine life, or unwind with a picnic as you watch the sunset paint the sky. Arriving by your car rental on Turo is ideal — the convenient parking area allows easy access for any car size, whether compact or intermediate SUV.
Step back in time and onto scenic coastal bluffs at Wilder Ranch, a historic park blending natural beauty and Californian heritage. Miles of hiking trails weave along cliffs overlooking the Pacific, ideal for spotting marine wildlife and enjoying unspoiled scenery. With easy road access and ample parking, it’s the perfect destination to explore when you find car rentals on Turo suited to your itinerary.

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

Convenient Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz, 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.
There’s nothing like the freedom of a spectacular scenic drive along California’s famous Highway 1. Stop at dramatic coastal cliffs, stroll along hidden beaches, and explore picturesque seaside towns from Santa Cruz to Big Sur. With a rental car on Turo, you can plan the perfect itinerary without rushing to catch a bus or relying on tour schedules.
From dreamy beachfront ceremonies at Seascape Beach Resort to rustic-chic celebrations among towering redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads, Santa Cruz weddings call for stylish arrivals. A rental car on Turo ensures you're on time and relaxed, matching your special day perfectly with a luxury sedan or spacious SUV suited to scenic coastal roads or forested venues.
Staying longer to truly soak up the Santa Cruz lifestyle? Long-term rental car on Turo lets you dive deeper into California’s Central Coast, from extended stays near Capitola’s charming villages to weekly adventures up the coast to Half Moon Bay or Monterey. With weekly or monthly car rental availability in Santa Cruz, it’s easy to find a rental vehicle that makes your extended stay convenient and comfortable.
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
Get your vehicle delivered right to you or wherever you’re going in Santa Cruz, CA, including Santa Cruz, CA airport. Many hosts offer delivery to custom locations or popular points of interest, like airports, train stations, and hotels. Popular Santa Cruz, CA pickup locations include:
Fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC) and skip the queues at the airport car rental counter by booking a car on Turo. Breeze through baggage claim and head out to find your car (parked in either the Open Parking areas or available for curbside collection at Terminal B). Check the Turo app for all the details you'll need about where to find your rental car. From here, it’s a short, scenic drive over Highway 17 to Santa Cruz, making it an ideal location to begin your coastal adventure.
Want to start your trip in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz? Set a custom pickup location in the city center to get your trip off to a convenient start. Average travel times from the heart of town to top spots like Wilder Ranch State Park or Natural Bridges State Beach are short, so you'll spend less time navigating logistics and more time soaking in California’s ocean-kissed magic.
Step into a slice of California history at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a seaside amusement park packed with vintage appeal and oceanfront excitement. Set your pickup location here on Turo and cruise into town, where easy parking and drop-off spots make visiting effortless. After a day of classic roller coasters, arcade games, and saltwater taffy, take the scenic route home and soak in the Pacific sunset.

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
Navigate Santa Cruz like a seasoned local with these handy tips. From road rules to securing the best parking spots downtown, here’s what you need to know to keep your travels smooth and stress-free in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz’s coastal allure means scenic drives but also busier roads, especially along Highway 1 and Ocean Street. Peak traffic typically occurs during summer months and weekends. If you're heading to Natural Bridges or Wilder Ranch, plan your timing to avoid congestion.
Watch for cyclists sharing the roads, especially downtown and near West Cliff Drive. Speed limits range from 25 mph in residential and downtown areas to around 55 to 65 mph on major highways. Always pay close attention to posted signs, and remember to stop fully at pedestrian crossings. The town has a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, and foot traffic is high around beaches and shopping areas.
Coastal fog can roll in suddenly, especially during early mornings and evenings. If visibility drops, use low beams and give extra space between cars. Stay alert on winding routes like Empire Grade Road, and avoid speeding even if roads look clear. Before setting off, verify road conditions and live traffic updates, especially in wet weather when landslides can occur.
Santa Cruz parking can be competitive, particularly around beaches, boardwalks, and downtown spots. For downtown shopping and dining, the River/Front and Locust Street parking garages are popular, centrally located options offering good availability most days of the week.
For beach outings, consider parking at Santa Cruz Wharf or near Main Beach, where availability typically remains consistent. Contactless payment options and clear signage make these spots convenient. Make sure to check posted parking limits and restrictions, as these differ by location.
Santa Cruz itself is toll-free. Although toll roads appear on some expressways in neighboring regions, your journey in the city steers clear of extra fees.
Gas stations are conveniently located along main routes like Mission Street, Ocean Street, and Soquel Avenue, giving you plenty of options to fuel up. If you're driving electric, Santa Cruz offers ample EV charging stations around downtown and near major attractions like the River/Front parking garage, downtown City Hall, and Whole Foods Market on Soquel Avenue. Santa Cruz makes EV charging simple and accessible, ideal for travelers looking to explore sustainably.
A rental car makes exploring Santa Cruz effortless. Public transport is limited and many must-see spots, from scenic coastal drives to secluded hiking trails, are easier to reach by car. Book your rental vehicle on Turo for full control over your itinerary, allowing you to explore beaches, downtown dining, and postcard-perfect neighborhoods at leisure.
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!
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.
To rent a car on Turo in the US, you must be 18 years old or older.
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.
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 worksYes 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 & discountsSome 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.
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.
The cost of car rental in Santa Cruz can vary depending on car type, booking length, extras, and delivery. For cheap car rental in Santa Cruz, look out for discounts on longer-duration bookings and early bookings.
Cruising California’s coast requires the perfect vehicle. Find a rental car on Turo to fit your Santa Cruz getaway, with car rental types including, but not limited to:
- Compact car rental: Ideal for navigating busy streets and tight beachfront parking spots. Zip around town easily in a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.
- Luxury sedan rental: Upgrade your journey with a smooth, sophisticated sedan like the Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. Perfect for a romantic weekend or upscale evening along West Cliff Drive.
- SUV rental: Built for adventure-loving travelers or surfers, the Subaru Outback or Jeep Cherokee offer ample space and performance to handle coastal routes.
- Sports car rental: Choose a Ford Mustang convertible to soak up ocean views or breeze through nearby mountain curves.
- Electric car rental: Santa Cruz is committed to eco-friendly travel. Blend comfort and sustainability in a Tesla Model 3.
* 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.