Smarter Car Renting

Here are car rental tips from the road trip-seasoned editors of RoadsideAmerica.com:

•  Fear of the Unknown: Unfamiliar with the streets of Santa Cruz? Consider adding a GPS navigation system to your rental. GPS provides turn-by-turn directions to a number of Santa Cruz attractions and businesses, and is offered by almost all Santa Cruz car rental agencies. The GPS helps you navigate like some mythical Greek God of Navigation! You can also add your own portable GPS on your handy windshield sucker, but remember to take it all with you when you turn in the car at the end of your trip.

•  Many States, One Car: If renting a car for a longer road trip, check with the car rental companies in Santa Cruz, California to see if they have policies about crossing state lines that affect the final rate you pay. May be no effect, but don't assume you can crisscross the globe with unlimited mileage impunity. There may be a GPS tracker in the car!

•  Car Types: When selecting a car type, remember it's not just about how cool you'll appear. The car selection page details show an average of how many people and how many pieces of luggage can comfortably fit in each car type. Pay attention to the specifics to be certain they meet your needs before booking.

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Santa Cruz CA Area Attractions

• Cypress Outpatient Surgical
• Dominican Hospital
• Mystery Spot
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Santa Cruz Mystery Spot
• Seymour Marine Discovery Center
• Capitaurus Bigfoot Discovery Museum (5.46 miles)
• S.S. Palo Alto Concrete Ship (7.07 miles)
• Bethany College (7.41 miles)
• Montalvo Arts Center (19.04 miles)
• Hakone Gardens (19.22 miles)
• Community Hospital of Los Gatos (20.30 miles)
• Giant Artichoke (20.91 miles)
• Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (22.01 miles)
• Bonfante Gardens (22.08 miles)
• Circus Trees at Bonfante Gardens (22.13 miles)
• Campbell Historical Museum (22.48 miles)
• Picchetti Winery (22.93 miles)

Santa Cruz rental guide