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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland attractions

Oakland CA Area Attractions

• Alameda County Medical Center
• Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• Children's Fairyland
• Children's Hospital & Research Center
• Grave of the Black Dahlia-Elizabeth Short
• Huckleberry Botanic Preserve
• Jack London Square
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Oakland
• Lake Merritt
• McAfee Coliseum - Raiders and Athletics
• Mills College
• Oakland Arena and Network Associates Coliseum
• Oakland California Temple
• Oakland Zoo
• Oracle Arena - Golden State Warriors
• Pardee Home Museum - Stolen skulls
• Preservation Park
• Redwood Regional Park

Oakland rental guide