If your trip to Aptos is all booked but your itinerary is looking a bit empty, we can give you a helping hand.Grab your guidebook and read up on The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Nicholson Vineyards. They’re only a short car ride away if you want to get out and discover your surrounds.

When it’s time to venture out and experience the surrounding areas, Westside Santa Cruz will be waiting for you. Go for a stroll and find out what makes this place popular. It’s just 9 miles away, so you hardly have an excuse to skip it!

No matter the weather, you’ll be able to catch sight of some of the magnificent beaches near Aptos from the comfort of your own rental car. As you drive along, keep a watch out for seabirds swooping over these beautiful stretches of coastline:

• Seacliff State Beach (3 miles away).
• Rio Del Mar Beach (3 miles away).
• New Brighton State Beach (4 miles away).

If you’re eager to do some serious business networking in the convention centers of Aptos, it’d be smart to secure your own set of wheels. That way, you can go for a spin, check out some surrounding attractions and be sure that you’ll make it there on time. You’ll most likely be heading to one of these buildings:

• Mount Madonna Center (8 miles away).
• Cocoanut Grove (8 miles away).

Aptos is a superb base for your escape to Corralitos. Whether you want to spend all of your time exploring the city or you’d prefer to step off the beaten track, we have an ideal set of wheels waiting for you. As expected, families and larger groups tend to choose something with a bigger interior, such as an SUV or a full-size car. If you want to venture off-road at any point, a rugged four-wheel drive could be a clever choice. Those traveling with a pal or two will find a compact or standard car will suit your needs for driving around the city.

You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a huge variety of both high-end and economy rentals in Aptos. What you end up going for is largely dependent on your funds and what you’re hoping to do. Specialty vehicles are hard to beat if you’re all about comfort and class. If you’re splashing out, why not pick an SUV with all the bells and whistles, or perhaps a fancy medium-sized vehicle? Otherwise, if you just need a car to zip around town in as economically as possible, go for a budget compact vehicle (or something else that won’t blow your budget).

You’ll need to keep right when driving in Aptos. In addition to that, take some extra caution if it’s your first time on the road here. Once you’ve got the hang of how the locals drive, you can relax and enjoy the new scenery!

Generally speaking, your chosen rental car company will charge the fined amount to your credit card, including local surcharges. Or they may supply your contact details to the relevant local authority, who’ll then issue a fine straight to you.

It is against the law to use your cell phone while driving a car in Aptos, and you may even be charged a fine for simply holding your phone if you’re in control of a vehicle. That said, using hands-free or Bluetooth functions is permitted, as long as you keep your attention on the road.

In Aptos, it is a punishable offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) higher than 0.08%. If you’re thinking of having a drink or two with lunch or dinner, it’s a good idea to leave your rental car at your hotel.

Yes it is. But before doing so, you must bring the vehicle to a complete stop and only proceed if the lane is free of traffic.

Although there are a few exceptions, seat belts must be worn in Santa Cruz County.