Smarter Car Renting

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

•  Credit Cards for Pick-Up: Many agencies require a credit card upon pick-up. Yes, Opie, we live in that kind of world. So make sure you are in good standing with your "plastic." Call the car rental agency in Santa Monica before arrival or verify in the rental policy and rules to see which forms of payment they accept.

•  Book your reservation in advance. Rates can vary drastically, even for the same rental car in Santa Monica California. By booking your car early, you can avoid last minute rate increases. It can also help assure your desired vehicle-type will be available at high demand car rental locations.

•  Fear of the Unknown: Unfamiliar with the streets of Santa Monica? Consider adding a GPS navigation system to your rental. GPS provides turn-by-turn directions to a number of Santa Monica attractions and businesses, and is offered by almost all Santa Monica 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.

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