Smarter Car Renting

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

•  Damaged: Always carefully eyeball your vehicle before leaving the rental agency, whether you're in Santa Monica or East Podunkville. The last renter may have pulled in after a meteor shower! Prior scratches, dents, and other vehicle damage can cause extra headaches and costs if not noted before you leave the rental car lot. If you see any damage on the car's exterior and interior before you leave, make sure it's noted on the rental car papers, and point it out to an agency employee. This will resolve any questions that could arise when you return. And avoid meteor showers.

•  Special Requests: Special requests can be noted at the time you make your Santa Monica rental car reservation. Nothing too crazy, though. If you are in need of an infant or toddler car seat, navigation system, ski rack or more, be sure to make note of it when booking online. Keep in mind that requests are not guaranteed and additional fees may apply.

•  Leave Nothing Behind: At a road trip's end, we find we've accumulated souvenirs, kitschy mementoes, and piles of brochures from tourist attractions. These treasures prove you really traveled -- that it wasn't just some wacky delusion. When dropping off your rental car, carefully check every door pocket, drink holder and storage bin for these keepsakes. The rental car company sure doesn't have any use for them.

Click here to see Santa Monica attractions

Santa Monica CA Area Attractions

• Bergamot Station
• Children's Nature Institute
• Gehry House
• Museum of Flying
• Pacific Park
• Saint John's Health Center
• Santa Monica Pier
• Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center
• UCLA Discovery Center
• Ocean Front Walk (1.81 miles)
• Venice Skill Center (1.84 miles)
• Venice Beach Freakshow (2.19 miles)
• Will Rogers State Historical Park (2.55 miles)
• VA Greater LA Hlthcare System (2.73 miles)
• Sturges House (3.32 miles)
• Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park (3.52 miles)
• UCLA Medical Center (3.69 miles)
• Fisherman's Village (3.73 miles)

Santa Monica rental guide