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Car rentals in Santa Barbara, California

Are you looking for cheap car rental deals in Santa Barbara, California? Search right here!

Santa Barbara, CA
Mar 26 — Apr 2
Santa Barbara, CA
Tue 3/26
Noon
Tue 4/2
Noon

Deals from rental companies in 70,000+ locations.

Rental cars insight and trends in Santa Barbara

Useful insights to help you book the perfect rental car in Santa Barbara

What is the cheapest rental car agency in Santa Barbara?

The cheapest rental cars in Santa Barbara are generally found through Turo. When booking with Turo, you may be able to find rental car prices for as low as $19/day. The average price to rent a car in Santa Barbara is $31/day.

What car do most people rent in Santa Barbara?

When renting a car in Santa Barbara, most of our users will opt for the Ford Escape at $92/day on average. The second most popular is the Fiat 500 car rental for an average of $48/day. Our users have found Ford Escape rentals in Santa Barbara for as low as $28/day and Fiat 500 rentals for as low as $19/day.

Best deals found for Santa Barbara, California car rentals

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in Santa Barbara, California
Economy$24/day
Compact$31/day
Intermediate$23/day
Standard$27/day
Full-size$35/day
Minivan$26/day
Full-size SUV$40/day
Premium$45/day
Convertible$51/day
Pickup truck$22/day
Standard SUV$25/day
Intermediate SUV$28/day
Best rates found by momondo users in the past 48 hours.

Important information about Santa Barbara car rentals

One of the biggest attractions in Santa Barbara is the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, which merges with Highway 101 and follows the amazing coastline for miles. Within the city, you can visit cultural attractions, like the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Sunken Gardens, and Arlington Theater, all of which are near State Street, which runs through the heart of the city. There are over 12 car rental locations in Santa Barbara, and there are lots of parking options in the city. Be aware that some parking areas are by permit only and are reserved for residents of the city, so pay attention to signs. There are over 10 public parking lots in the middle of the city and most do charge fees, but at very reasonable rates.

While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Santa Barbara?

Car rentals in Santa Barbara are recommended for many reasons. The cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles are close enough to drive to for side trips, so car rentals in Santa Barbara open many opportunities both within and outside the city. Parking is easy to find and located in regular intervals near all the main attractions, and the downtown area is well laid out and walkable, but it is also stretched out, so having a cheap car rental in Santa Barbara will make it possible to plan activities in any part of the city whenever it is most convenient for you. Traffic conditions on main roads are generally good but can get more congested around the workday commute times in the morning and afternoon.

What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Santa Barbara?

California has a hands-free driving law, which makes it a violation to hold your cell phone while driving, and if caught, you will be fined. California has some unique speed limit rules as well that you need to be aware of before driving rental cars in Santa Barbara. The Basic Speed Law makes it illegal to drive at an unsafe speed based on the weather and road conditions, which means that when weather or other factors may affect road safety, you may still receive a citation even if you are going the posted speed limit. They also have standard speed limits for school zones, residential areas, and highways that must be followed even if there are no posted speed limits. Their Maximum Speed Limit Law means you can be cited for speeding if you are over the posted limit even slightly, and you can be fined by going too slow if you are causing a traffic flow problem. It is advisable to check with the Department of Motor Vehicles for any updates in traffic laws before driving Santa Barbara car rentals.

Will I need a special driver’s license or permit to drive a rental car in Santa Barbara if I’m visiting from another country?

You must have a valid driver’s license from your home country for the type of economy car rental you are requesting, and driving is on the right side of the road. In most car rental locations in Santa Barbara, there are age requirements for renting cars, so check with the agency about that when you book your rental. You will need proof of insurance, but if you do not have insurance already, you can usually purchase it when you pick up your rental. Arrange car rentals in Santa Barbara in advance through momondo to make sure there are no unexpected problems when you arrive.


Santa Barbara, California car rental deals found on momondo

Find the rental car in Santa Barbara that's right for you

Small cars

$49 - $70

All Car Types

$70 - $92

The average price of a small car rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $59. The cheapest time to rent a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in November. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just $49 per day. A small car rental is typically 27% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara small car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $69. The cheapest time to rent a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in March. The price is 15% lower than the rest of the year at just $60 per day. A medium car rental is typically 15% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara medium car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $105. The cheapest time to rent a large car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in January. The price is 27% lower than the rest of the year at just $78 per day. A large car rental is typically 23% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara large car rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $87. The cheapest time to rent a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States is in January. The price is 20% lower than the rest of the year at just $71 per day. A SUV rental is typically 7% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $136. The cheapest time to rent a van in Santa Barbara, the United States is in March. The price is 12% lower than the rest of the year at just $121 per day. A van rental is typically 40% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara van rentals found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a luxury car rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $102. The cheapest time to rent a luxury car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in October. The price is 31% lower than the rest of the year at just $72 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 21% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.

The average price of a convertible rental in Santa Barbara, the United States is $118. The cheapest time to rent a convertible in Santa Barbara, the United States is in January. The price is 37% lower than the rest of the year at just $76 per day. A convertible rental is typically 32% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara convertible rentals found on momondo in the past week.

Chevrolet Spark
or similar Economy
Up to 2 passengers

$24/day

25 Mar - 1 Apr
Chevrolet Spark
Hyundai Venue
or similar Compact
Up to 4 passengers

$31/day

27 Mar - 27 Apr
Hyundai Venue

Santa Barbara car rental directory

All major car rental suppliers in Santa Barbara, California

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.9
Good
44 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.1

Pick-up/drop-off

7.7

Value

7.6

Budget

7.1
Good
91 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.6

Overall

7.0

Pick-up/drop-off

7.0

Value

7.0

Hertz

6.2
Okay
85 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.9

Overall

6.1

Pick-up/drop-off

6.1

Value

6.3

Avis

8.5
Very good
23 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

8.9

Overall

8.5

Pick-up/drop-off

8.6

Value

8.4

Alamo

8.1
Very good
28 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

8.3

Overall

8.0

Pick-up/drop-off

8.1

Value

8.1

National

2.0
Poor
1 review1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

2.0

Pick-up/drop-off

2.0

Value

2.0

Sunnycars

1 location

Quick facts about car rentals in Santa Barbara

Get the overview on great rental deals, popular car rental companies, and best car types for your visit in Santa Barbara

Most Popular Agency

Hertz

Popular Car Types

Intermediate, SUV, Economy

Cheapest Rental Car

$26

Most Popular Model

Volkswagen Passat
The most popular Santa Barbara car rental agency found on momondo this month is Hertz. Other top choices for car rental companies are Budget and Alamo
The following car types were offered at rental car companies in Santa Barbara in the past 72 hours: Intermediate, SUV, Economy.
The lowest price for a rental car in Santa Barbara is $26/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from $59/day.
The most popular car model to rent in Santa Barbara in the past 7 days is the Volkswagen Passat. Our users also prefer the Chevrolet Trax as an alternative.

Find popular attractions close to your rental car pick-up

Visit these must-see attractions near popular rental car locations in Santa Barbara

Nearby attractions:

Channel Islands National Park76.7 mi
Santa Barbara Zoo79.0 mi
Chase Palm Park79.8 mi
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center79.8 mi
West Beach80.1 mi

Nearby attractions:

Santa Barbara Zoo76.0 mi
Chase Palm Park76.9 mi
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center77.0 mi
West Beach77.3 mi
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum77.4 mi

Nearby attractions:

Arroyo Burro Beach5.8 mi
Elings Park6.0 mi
Old Mission Santa Barbara7.3 mi
The Arlington Theatre7.7 mi
The Granada Theatre7.8 mi

Rent a car near one of these popular hotels in Santa Barbara

Below are the most popular hotels in Santa Barbara
Harbor View Inn

Harbor View Inn

28 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

8301 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

12.5 mi from city center

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.5 mi from city center

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara

4770 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

5.2 mi from city center

Best Western Plus Santa Barbara

Best Western Plus Santa Barbara

2220 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.2 mi from city center

Inn By The Harbor

Inn By The Harbor

433 West Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

0.9 mi from city center

Mar Monte Hotel, Part Of Hyatt

Mar Monte Hotel, Part Of Hyatt

1111 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.8 mi from city center

Mason Beach Inn

Mason Beach Inn

324 West Mason Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

Beachside Inn

Beachside Inn

336 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara

Hotel Milo Santa Barbara

202 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

West Beach Inn, a Coast Hotel

306 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

Kimpton Canary Hotel

Kimpton Canary Hotel

31 West Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

0.1 mi from city center

Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

Hyatt Place Santa Barbara

4111 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

3.6 mi from city center

Santa Barbara Inn

Santa Barbara Inn

901 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.7 mi from city center

La Playa Inn Santa Barbara

La Playa Inn Santa Barbara

116 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.0 mi from city center

Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

533 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

0.4 mi from city center

Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian

36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

0.9 mi from city center

Lemon Tree Inn

Lemon Tree Inn

2819 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, United States

1.8 mi from city center


Driving with a rental car in Santa Barbara - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about renting a car in Santa Barbara so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

How much will it cost to rent a car in Santa Barbara, California in April?

To rent a car in Santa Barbara for a weekend in April, we found prices as low as $21 with an average of $75. Users looking for a one-week rental in Santa Barbara for April saw an average deal of $66 - but quotes as low as $33 were available depending on dates and car options.

Is there a fee to cancel my Santa Barbara, California car rental?

Every rental car company in Santa Barbara has a different cancellation policy. At momondo, we will always disclose in the car rental search results whether or not an agency has a cancellation fee. Some of the top car rental companies in Santa Barbara include Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Budget, so be sure to check if they offer free cancellation.

What is the best type of car to rent in Santa Barbara during April?

With temperatures averaging 59 °F and precipitation usually 0″ during April, you should consider renting a Standard car when traveling to Santa Barbara. A Standard car can handle the fluctuations in temperature and rainfall during the month of April and is a popular choice for travelers heading to Santa Barbara. Renting a Standard in Santa Barbara will cost you $102/day on average.

What is the speed limit in Santa Barbara, California?

25 mph is the city speed limit for Santa Barbara, which also applies to surrounding towns and other urban centers. The suburban speed limit and the speed limit for highways around Santa Barbara are 75 mph and 75 mph, respectively. If you rent a car in Santa Barbara, be aware that these speed limits may be strictly enforced.

What car rental company has the GMC Terrain in Santa Barbara?

What is the weather like in Santa Barbara, CA in March?

In March, Santa Barbara usually gets 2.8″ of precipitation and has an average temperature of 53.6 °F. This information can be very helpful when looking at rental cars in Santa Barbara as it can help you make the best decision.

Is the weather in Santa Barbara similar to the rest of California?

Travelers looking to leave from Santa Barbara on a road trip around California or the surrounding areas during the month of March should expect temperatures around 57.2 °F and about 2.2″ of possible rain through the month.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Santa Barbara?

Prices for cars in Santa Barbara are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Santa Barbara?

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Santa Barbara?

Among different countries, including Santa Barbara, the minimum age for drivers varies. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To hire a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be imposed. It's recommended that you review the policy of the rental company you're considering before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Santa Barbara?

To rent a car in Santa Barbara, all drivers must have a valid full driving license. If the license is written in a language other than the language of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We recommend that you verify with the specific rental company you're booking with.


Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car rental in Santa Barbara?

Using momondo to book a car rental in Santa Barbara could save you time and money. momondo searches thousands of car rental websites and locations to provide you with a wide selection of options and cars to choose from.

How does momondo help me find the best car rental deal in Santa Barbara?

Filtering is how momondo helps you find a great rental car in Santa Barbara. Narrow your search using price and map features as well as filtering by fuel or mileage policies amongst many other filters available.

Does momondo show car rental deals in Santa Barbara with free cancellation?

Of course! momondo has a dedicated filter for users to specifically look at car rentals in Santa Barbara which offer free cancellation.

Can I rent a car with a fair fuel policy in Santa Barbara on momondo?

Yes, momondo has a filter for fair fuel policies on car rentals in Santa Barbara.

Can I find a car rental in Santa Barbara which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?

Enhanced cleaning services can be found on all car rental locations on momondo including Santa Barbara.

Can I search for rental cars in Santa Barbara with unlimited mileage on momondo?

Yes, unlimited mileage options can be found on rental cars in Santa Barbara on momondo.


An easier way to manage your Santa Barbara trip

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