If your trip to Carpinteria is all booked but your travel itinerary is looking a little empty, we can give you a few hints and tips.Not too far from the city center, Carpinteria State Beach is one sight to consider adding to your to-do list. Rincon Beach Park and Tomol Interpretive Play Area are also nearby and worth checking out.

You’re probably wondering what else is around you. Venture outside of Carpinteria and you’ll come across a few world-class sights. More Mesa is only 16 miles away and the home of Santa Barbara County Courthouse. It’s worth a day trip.

No matter what the weather’s like, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of some of the glorious beaches near Carpinteria from the comfort of your rental car. As you cruise along, keep your eyes peeled for seabirds gliding over these glorious stretches of coastline:

• Rincon Beach Park (3 miles away).
• Fernald Point (6 miles away).
• Butterfly Beach (7 miles away).

Networking and chatting with lots of different people can be exhausting. So if you’re in Carpinteria on a business trip, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are some excellent places to chill out and relax near these popular convention centers:

• Cabrillo Pavillion (9 miles away).
• Santa Barbara Deep Sea (10 miles away).

Whether you’re heading off alone or with the family, CarRentals.com can help you find the perfect wheels for your Carpinteria adventure. A mini is a terrific choice if you’re planning to spend almost all of your time in the heart of the city. Cost-effective and fuel-efficient, these vehicles will take you here, there and everywhere with ease. If you feel like standing out from the crowd, have a look at our special category. We know you’ll find something that’ll make a few jaws drop. Got the little ones in tow? A roomy full-size SUV will match your needs.

First of all, there’s a broad range of both economy and luxury vehicles to rent in Carpinteria. What you end up going for depends on how much you want to spend and what you plan to do. Prestige vehicles often spare no expense when it comes to comfort and class. If you’re splurging, why not grab a fully kitted-out SUV, or perhaps an upmarket medium-sized vehicle? On the other hand, if you’re just after a car to zip around town in as efficiently as possible, you’re better off going with an economy vehicle (or something else that won’t blow your budget).

You’ll be cruising along the right side of the road in Carpinteria. Even though you may be comfortable with the traffic rules, it’s wise to drive a little more cautiously in new and unfamiliar destinations.

As with most destinations, you can expect more traffic in the rush hours before and after work. However, thanks to its smaller population of approximately 13,700, traffic gridlock isn’t a major problem in Carpinteria.

It can be challenging to find a parking space in Carpinteria. Once you get your hands on one, make sure you pay attention to the signage. Overstaying the maximum time limit or leaving the car in a no-standing zone can put a dent in your vacation budget.

Most residential zones in Carpinteria have a 25mph speed limit. Outside these built-up areas, the speed limits typically range between 15mph and 70mph.

Generally, one of two things will happen. Your chosen car rental company may bill the amount stated on the fine to your credit card. This is the most common practice. Or it may provide your contact information to the relevant local authority so the fine is issued straight to you.

Seat belts must be worn in Santa Barbara County. However, this rule may vary for certain vehicles, such as those used by public transportation networks.

As in many places, normal cell phone usage is prohibited while behind the wheel in Carpinteria. An exception applies for hands-free or Bluetooth functions. Just make sure you stay focused on the road.

In Carpinteria, it is an offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) over 0.08%. If you’re going to have a drink or two, you’d be wise to leave your rental car behind.

Yes it is. But before doing so, you must bring the car to a complete stop and only proceed if the way is clear.