Smarter Car Renting

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

•  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.

•  Under 25? Everyone over 25 assumes you are an awkward and unpredictable risk behind the wheel. Ridiculous, you say, without taking your eyes off the road. But be sure to check with Simi Valley California car rental companies about their specific policies. Some agencies require the driver to be at least 25 while other rental companies may allow younger drivers to rent for an additional fee. Have more than one driver? Be sure to ask if additional charges apply for more than one person driving the rental car.

•  Damaged: Always carefully eyeball your vehicle before leaving the rental agency, whether you're in Simi Valley 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.

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Simi Valley CA Area Attractions

• Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village
• Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
• Simi Valley Hospital & Health Care
• California Lutheran University (6.22 miles)
• Los Robles Regional Med Center (7.18 miles)
• California Art Institute (7.85 miles)
• West Hills Hospital & Medical Center (9.85 miles)
• Motion Picture & Tel Hospital (11.44 miles)
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Woodland Hills (12.97 miles)
• Old Trapper's Lodge Statues (13.40 miles)
• St John's Pleasant Valley Hospital (13.61 miles)
• Cadillac Shaped Building (14.28 miles)
• Northridge Hospital Medical Center (14.67 miles)
• California State University-Northridge (14.69 miles)
• California Institute of the Arts (14.96 miles)
• Six Flags Magic Mountain (15.08 miles)
• Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (15.48 miles)
• Camarillo Premium Outlets (15.87 miles)

Simi Valley rental guide