$17 Car Rental Santa Monica, CA

Reasons to book a car rental in and around Santa Monica

Renting a car in Santa Monica is a practical choice for travelers looking to explore the city and its surroundings with ease. With a rental car, you can visit key attractions like Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier, both conveniently located in the area. The Third Street Promenade is also easily accessible, offering family-friendly outdoor experiences. Having a car allows you the freedom to travel at your own pace, making it simple to manage luggage and adjust your plans as needed.

Additionally, Santa Monica serves as a great starting point for exploring nearby destinations. Los Angeles, with its renowned attractions including Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, is just a short drive away. Venice, known for Muscle Beach and Venice Beach, is only 3 miles from Santa Monica, while Marina del Rey, featuring Marina Beach, is just 4 miles away. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for families and those seeking outdoor or entertainment-themed experiences, ensuring you can make the most of your time in the area.

Most popular car rentals in Santa Monica

• Midsize SUV: This car type is a top choice for many travelers in Santa Monica, accommodating up to 5 people and providing space for up to 3 large suitcases. It’s ideal for families, couples, or small groups who appreciate the additional room for luggage and comfort during their journey. With a midsize SUV, you can easily explore the scenic routes and attractions at your own pace while having the flexibility to carry all your essentials.
• Standard SUV: Perfect for couples, families, or groups, the standard SUV accommodates up to 5 travelers and allows for up to 2 medium suitcases. This option offers a good balance of space and maneuverability, making it suitable for both city driving and excursions beyond Santa Monica. The standard SUV’s versatility ensures that you can enjoy your trip while having enough room for everyone’s belongings.
• Luxury: For those looking to travel in style, the luxury car option is an excellent choice. It accommodates up to 5 travelers and can hold up to 4 large suitcases, making it perfect for business travelers, couples, or small groups who desire comfort and elegance. Renting a luxury vehicle allows you to enjoy a premium experience while exploring Santa Monica, ensuring that you travel in both comfort and sophistication.

Top rated car suppliers in Santa Monica

• Hertz: With a rental location conveniently situated in Santa Monica, Hertz is a popular choice among travelers. Known for their reliable service, they offer a selection of vehicles that cater to various needs. The most booked cars with Hertz include Midsize SUVs and Economies, making them a great option for both solo travelers and families alike. Enjoy the flexibility to explore Santa Monica and beyond at your own pace with Hertz.
• Enterprise: With three rental locations in Santa Monica, Enterprise provides maximum convenience for visitors. Their diverse fleet includes Midsize SUVs and Premium SUVs, allowing travelers to select the perfect vehicle for their adventures. Enterprise is well-regarded for customer service and offers the ability to manage your itinerary seamlessly. Renting from Enterprise means you can enjoy your time in Santa Monica without any hassles.
• Sixt: Sixt operates a rental location in Santa Monica, providing a friendly and efficient car rental experience. Their fleet features Midsize SUVs and Standard SUVs, catering to a range of travel preferences. Sixt is known for its attentive service, ensuring a smooth rental process. With Sixt, you can easily navigate the attractions of Santa Monica and the surrounding areas, enhancing your travel experience.

Where to stay around Santa Monica

• Santa Monica: Known for its iconic Santa Monica Beach, this area offers a vibrant atmosphere perfect for a beach vacation. Visitors can enjoy the nearby attractions like the Santa Monica Pier and a variety of dining options that cater to every palate. It's a fantastic base for those looking to experience both the beach and city life, with family-friendly activities at your doorstep.
• Venice: Located 3 miles away from Santa Monica, Venice is famous for its lively boardwalk and Muscle Beach. This area is ideal for families seeking outdoor and beach experiences. With its unique shops and restaurants, Venice provides a distinct local vibe while still being close to Santa Monica Beach and other attractions, making it a great spot for a fun-filled getaway.
• Marina del Rey: Just 4 miles from Santa Monica, Marina del Rey is a beautiful waterfront destination perfect for families and beach lovers. The area features Marina Beach, along with delightful dining experiences nearby. Its proximity to both Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach allows for easy exploration of the stunning coastal scenery and local attractions in the surrounding areas.

10 tips to save on your car rental in and around Santa Monica

1. Use filters to find the right car: Refine your search by vehicle type and features. Whether you’re looking for an SUV for extra space, a convertible for summer fun, or an economy car for budget-friendly travel, use the filters on Expedia to discover the best option for your trip.
2. Book in advance to help lower costs: Rental prices can vary depending on demand, so it's wise to reserve your car well ahead of your trip. By booking early, you’re likely to secure lower rates and enjoy better availability, particularly during peak seasons.
3. Consider a smaller car for savings: Smaller cars are typically more affordable to rent and easier to park in crowded areas. Mid-size rentals strike a good balance between cost, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
4. Age guidelines: Drivers under 30 may encounter higher deposits or daily surcharges, and certain vehicle types—such as SUVs or premium models—might not be available. This can also apply to renters over 70 years old. Always verify the age requirements before making a reservation.
5. Check fuel policies: Some rentals require a full-to-full fuel policy, meaning you must return the car with a full tank to avoid additional charges. This is generally the best option. Others may offer full-to-empty or prepaid fueling options, which can be convenient as well. Just be sure to return the car empty in that case.
6. Save on city and airport pickups: There’s often a surcharge for picking up your rental car at airports, but the convenience might make it worthwhile.
7. Know your payment options: Many car rental companies only accept credit cards for payment.
8. Understand your insurance coverage: Car rental insurance can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and provides added peace of mind if something unexpected occurs during your trip. It’s easy to add rental insurance when booking through Expedia.
9. Consider unlimited mileage: If you’re planning long road trips, look for rentals that offer unlimited mileage to prevent additional charges.
10. Bring your driver's license and ID: A valid driver's license is necessary to rent a car.

Best time to rent a car in and around Santa Monica

The best time to rent a car in and around Santa Monica is January and February, when prices are slightly low and demand is average. May also offers good value, with similar pricing and demand levels. March is typically the busiest and most expensive month, with high demand and slightly high prices. Following that, August stands out as the most expensive month, with both prices and demand peaking during this time.

Calendar Month	Temperature	Precipitation	Cloudiness	Demand	Pricing
January	56.7°F (13.7°C)	Light Rain	Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
February	57.0°F (13.9°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
March	59.0°F (15.0°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly High	Slightly High
April	62.4°F (16.9°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Average	Average
May	64.9°F (18.3°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
June	69.1°F (20.6°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Average	Average
July	73.6°F (23.1°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly High	Average
August	75.0°F (23.9°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly High	Slightly High
September	74.5°F (23.6°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly Low	Average
October	69.4°F (20.8°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly Low	Average
November	62.6°F (17.0°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Sunny	Slightly Low	Average
December	56.5°F (13.6°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly High

Finding the cheapest car rentals in Santa Monica

Using our Search Wizard

If the deals that are available on our page do not suit your needs, then enter Santa Monica into the search wizard at the top of the page. We will compare all the best deals available for your car rental in Santa Monica and provide you with a list of the cheapest options, with no added fees.

Renting a car in Santa Monica

Pay at pickup is available, so you don’t have to worry about spending your money until you arrive at your vehicle in Santa Monica. We partner with reliable partners that guarantee an enjoyable experience for solo travelers, couples, and families. Package your car with a flight or hotel to unlock even more savings from Expedia.

Expected prices in Santa Monica

Prices are subject to seasonal change depending on when you decide to arrange your car rental but right now you can book from $17.

Flexibility & Cancellation

Most car suppliers offer penalty-free cancellations, so you don’t have to worry about losing money if your plans change. To cancel your booking log into your account through the Trips portal. Click manage booking and cancel this car. If you needed to alter your booking, then you can create a new one once you have canceled.

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Car classes available from Expedia in 2026

The classes of vehicles available will change depending on your chosen location.

• Compact car rentals    
• Convertible car rentals    
• Economy car rentals    
• Fullsize car rentals    
• Luxury car rentals
• Midsize car rentals    
• Mini car rentals    
• Minivan rentals    
• Pickup car rentals    
• Premium car rentals
• Sportscar rentals    
• Standard car rentals    
• SUV rentals    
• Van rentals