Want to Rent a Car in Santa Monica? Here’s What You Should Know:
Santa Monica, with its iconic pier, beautiful beaches, and vibrant atmosphere, is a perfect destination for a California getaway. If you're planning to explore this coastal gem and its surrounding areas, renting a car can be an excellent choice. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals from both international and local companies in Santa Monica. Before you hit the road, here's what you should know about renting a car in this sunny paradise:
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Santa Monica offers a variety of car rental options to suit different needs and preferences. Consider the following when selecting your vehicle:
Compact cars are ideal for navigating busy city streets and finding parking spots.
Take a day trip to charming coastal towns like Malibu or Venice Beach.
Rental Requirements
To rent a car in Santa Monica, you'll typically need:
A valid driver's license
A major credit card in the renter's name
To be at least 21 years old (some companies require renters to be 25+)
Remember, Bookingautos can help you compare offers from various rental companies, ensuring you get the best deal for your Santa Monica adventure. With the right car and knowledge, you'll be ready to explore all that this beautiful coastal city and its surroundings have to offer.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Santa Monica
Santa Monica offers various parking options for visitors with rental cars. Here are some of the best places to park:
Public Parking Structures: Santa Monica has 10 public parking structures, most of which are located downtown. These are affordable and convenient options.
Beach Parking Lots: If you're heading to the beach, there are several lots along the coastline. Be aware that these can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Street Parking: Metered street parking is available throughout the city, but be sure to read signs carefully for time limits and restrictions.
Hotel Parking: If you're staying at a hotel, they often offer parking for guests, though it may come with an additional fee.
Tips for Parking in Santa Monica
Always carry quarters for meters, download the ParkMobile app for easy payment, and consider using public transportation or ride-sharing services to avoid parking hassles altogether.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Europcar
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
32 € / Day
Best price
23 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€196
February
€118
March
€131
April
€137
May
€181
June
€222
July
€239
August
€256
September
€162
October
€126
November
€113
December
€145
* The average cost of renting a car in Santa Monica for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Santa Monica in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Santa Monica is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €16, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
During the summer months in Santa Monica there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A3 Convertible will cost you €183.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
In Santa Monica budget cars like Opel Astra or Citroen C1 can be booked for €28-€46 per day. This is provided that the contract is concluded on the spot. If you choose the same cars in advance on our website, you will save. Cars with a class: Toyota Camry, Opel Mokka, Fiat Tipo Estate - will cost an average of €28 per day. You can also find minivans, luxury cars, business class cars and electric cars. Rental costs from €46 up to several hundred euros per day.
In recent years in Santa Monica the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Renault Zoe in Santa Monica by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download Google maps offline
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book in advance
Santa Monica is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Santa Monica. It can be Citroen C1 or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Fiat Tipo Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €37 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Santa Monica may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Santa Monica, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Santa Monica are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Santa Monica
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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