Tesla rental in Santa Cruz, CA
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Rental cars in Santa Cruz
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip
Tesla Model Y
2023
•5.0
(1)
Tesla Model 3
2018
•5.0
(22)
Tesla Model Y
2023
•4.96
(56)
Tesla Model Y
2024
•5.0
(72)
Tesla Model S
2023
•5.0
(55)
Tesla Model Y
2026
•5.0
(37)
Tesla Model 3
2025
•5.0
(13)
Tesla Model Y
2023
•5.0
(98)
Tesla Cybertruck
2024
•5.0
(59)
Tesla car rental Santa Cruz coastal adventure
Santa Cruz captivates visitors with its iconic boardwalk, pristine beaches, and towering redwood forests that create an unparalleled coastal California experience. You'll discover charming surf towns, scenic mountain roads, and vibrant downtown districts perfect for exploration. A Tesla rental car provides the perfect silent, eco-friendly way to navigate winding coastal highways and steep mountain passes without emissions. The instant acceleration helps you merge confidently onto Highway 1, while the advanced navigation system guides you to hidden beaches and local favorites. You'll appreciate the spacious interior during longer drives to nearby attractions and the impressive range that covers all your Santa Cruz adventures.
Recent reviews
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
The Tesla was great!!! We will certainly be renting again. Everything worked perfectly and I had no service issues during my trip with the family to Disneyland. The car was very clean and had no bad smells. Im a bigger guy 6ft 285lbs, and the Model 3 was a bit small for me to get in and out but certainly wasn't a huge issue. Just something to consider for bigger people. You get access to the Tesla lounges locations on I-5 when charging which is convenient because they have restrooms and snacks available as well. The pickup location was a little further that the ad had said, by about 4 miles. Its closer to Felton and slightly more difficult to get to if you are taking a bus or walking to get to the car like I usually do when I book a Turo. I'd recommend Ubering to the pickup location. There is a bus that runs near if you want to bus though. I had to have someone take me to pickup the car which was not what I had originally planned based on the ad. However the host was super accommodating and did let me return the car to the advertised location though, which was so helpful because I needed the bus station next to Nob Hill in Scotts Valley to get home. Also no access to the Tesla App was given this time unfortunately which was a little bit of an annoyance since I use it alot when renting Teslas. It helps me when I forget the key inside "I forget alot" and don't want to go all the back up to our hotel room to get it or want to check the charging status if Im out shopping while charging because I dont want to pay congestion fees at charging stations. But the owner said they might change in the future but wasn't sure when exactly. Again this wasn't a major problem and certainly won't prevent me from renting again. Just something to consider if you are someone who also enjoys App access and its something you are looking for when renting a Tesla. 😃
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!
The car was great and as advertised, the service was top tier. I would recommend this car and the wonderful host in the future.
Santa Cruz attractions and scenic drives worth exploring
Santa Cruz offers incredible diversity from the famous Beach Boardwalk with its vintage roller coaster to the mysterious Mystery Spot that defies gravity. You can cruise through the UC Santa Cruz campus with its redwood groves, explore the vibrant Pacific Avenue downtown area, or venture to Natural Bridges State Beach for tide pooling. The silent Tesla operation lets you enjoy nature sounds while driving through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and the responsive handling makes navigating the curvy roads to Bonny Doon vineyards effortless. Capitola Village, Wilder Ranch State Park, and the Santa Cruz Mountains provide endless opportunities for day trips and photo stops.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk vintage amusement park
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk stands as California's oldest surviving amusement park, featuring the historic Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and classic carnival games. You'll find convenient parking structures nearby, though summer weekends fill up quickly. Your Tesla rental car's quiet motor won't disturb the peaceful morning beach walks before the crowds arrive, and the spacious interior accommodates beach gear and souvenirs from your boardwalk adventure.
Natural Bridges State Beach tide pools and monarch butterflies
Natural Bridges State Beach showcases dramatic rock formations, excellent tide pooling opportunities, and seasonal monarch butterfly migrations that create magical winter displays. The beach sits just minutes from downtown Santa Cruz with ample parking available year-round. You'll appreciate the Tesla rental car's smooth acceleration when leaving the beach area, especially during busy sunset viewing times when traffic increases along the coastal access roads.
Mystery Spot gravity defying tourist attraction
The Mystery Spot presents a fascinating optical illusion experience where balls roll uphill and people appear to lean at impossible angles in this tilted cabin attraction. You'll navigate winding residential roads through the Santa Cruz Mountains to reach this unique destination with designated parking available. The Tesla rental car's regenerative braking system proves especially useful on the steep, curving descent back toward town after your mind-bending visit.
Capitola Village colorful beachfront community
Capitola Village charms visitors with its rainbow-colored houses, artisan shops, and excellent restaurants overlooking Monterey Bay's sparkling waters. The village offers several parking options including street parking and small lots near the beach area. Your Tesla rental car's instant torque helps you navigate the short but steep hills leading down to the village center, while the quiet operation preserves the peaceful seaside atmosphere.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ancient forest trails
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park protects magnificent old-growth redwood groves accessible via easy walking trails and scenic drives through towering ancient forests. The park entrance provides convenient parking with easy access to the visitor center and main trail system. You'll enjoy the Tesla rental car's silent operation as you drive through these sacred groves, allowing you to hear bird songs and wind through the massive tree canopies above.
Car rentals nearby Santa Cruz
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Frequently asked questions in Santa Cruz
Why rent a Tesla in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers perfect terrain for experiencing Tesla's innovative electric vehicle technology, from coastal drives along the Pacific to exploring the Santa Cruz Mountains. Tesla car rental provides instant torque acceleration ideal for navigating California's diverse landscapes, while the silent electric motor enhances your connection to Santa Cruz's natural beauty. The Model 3 and Model Y deliver exceptional range for day trips throughout the Monterey Bay area without traditional fuel costs.
What Tesla features will you love?
Tesla's autopilot technology and over-the-air software updates create a cutting-edge driving experience perfect for Santa Cruz adventures. The spacious glass roof in Tesla Model Y provides stunning views of California's redwood forests and coastal scenery. Tesla's supercharging network ensures convenient charging throughout the San Jose area and beyond, while the minimalist interior design focuses your attention on Santa Cruz's spectacular surroundings.
What to expect when renting a Tesla?
Tesla car rental in Santa Cruz features intuitive touchscreen controls that manage everything from climate to navigation, making your California road trip effortless. The regenerative braking system extends your range while providing smooth deceleration perfect for Santa Cruz's winding coastal roads. Expect whisper-quiet operation that lets you hear the ocean waves and forest sounds during your Monterey regional adventures.
How is driving a Tesla in Santa Cruz?
Tesla's instant acceleration makes merging onto Highway 1 and navigating Santa Cruz traffic remarkably smooth and responsive. The low center of gravity provides excellent stability when exploring California's curving mountain roads and coastal highways. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y offer precise handling that enhances confidence whether you're heading to Oakland Airport or discovering hidden Santa Cruz beaches.
Rent a Tesla to try before you buy?
Santa Cruz Tesla car rental provides the perfect opportunity to experience electric vehicle ownership during real-world California driving conditions. Test the Model 3's efficiency on daily commutes or evaluate the Model Y's cargo space for weekend adventures around San Jose and beyond. A Tesla rental car lets you discover which features matter most for your lifestyle while enjoying unlimited mileage to fully explore Santa Cruz's diverse attractions.
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 kilometers 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 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.
What documents and paperwork 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!
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.
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.
* Est. daily price. Search for up to date price information.