If you’ve checked off all the major sights in Mountain View, don’t pack away your comfy sightseeing shoes just yet. You’ll find some big-name sights a short road trip away. About 28 miles away in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk attracts big crowds all year round. Why not visit and see what all the fuss is about?

Toss a bucket in the trunk and take a drive out to one of the area’s superb seaside stretches for some beachcombing fun. See what interesting shells you can find peppered along the shoreline before you make your way back to Mountain View. Top beaches to jot down are:

• Lakeshore Park Beach (16 miles away).
• San Gregorio State Beach (19 miles away).

If you’re going to Mountain View for work-related reasons, you’ll probably be visiting some business and convention centers. With your own rental car, you can relax knowing you’ll get there on time. Here are some of the most well known:

• Allied Arts Guild (6 miles away).
• Parkside Hall (11 miles away).
• San Jose Convention Center (11 miles away).

Here are our suggestions on how to hop behind the wheel of a rental car with extra cash in your wallet:

• A car can take you wherever you want to go — so can we. Compare the best deals from all the top companies in a couple of clicks.
• Take advantage of our Price Drop Alert email and immediately discover when prices become cheaper for your location
• Search for both airport and non-airport pickup office locations to be sure you’re bagging the best price in town
• If you don’t mind which day of the week you collect the keys to your car and your plans are flexible, play around with days and dates to find the hottest deal
• Pickup and drop-off times usually need to be the same (e.g, both 9 a.m.) or you may be asked to pay for an entire extra day
• If you’re hoping to keep some extra cash in your pocket, pay as soon as you book and zoom off with some of the best rates around
• Last but not least, secure your favorite set of wheels as soon as you can to score the biggest savings!

Gas up the tank and take to the wheel in Mountain View. You’ll find adventure around every bend here, from noteworthy sights like Computer History Museum to the more remote sandy shores. The car you go for will enhance the experience. If you’re heading away with the whole family, book a standard or an intermediate rental. They offer more luggage space and legroom. Hoping to avoid city driving but would love to head out into the surrounding nature? Hit the highway in an RV. This option is ideal for groups searching for outdoor adventure — and you won’t have to spend money on hotels either!

Sometimes the journey is more significant than the destination, which makes your car choice particularly important. If you’re about to head off on an epic road trip around Mountain View, a robust and stylish SUV could be the answer. If you’re looking for the cheapest possible price and plan on sticking mostly to the city, a budget compact is a smart pick. All you need to do is decide what suits you best, throw your bags in the trunk, and hit the road.

Driving someplace new doesn’t need to leave you gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles. If you’re on your way to Mountain View, get comfortable in the driver’s seat with these handy tips:

You’ll be motoring along the right side of the road in Mountain View. Even though the rules may be similar to home, it’s always smart to drive a bit more cautiously in places you’ve never been.

It can be. Cruising around the block looking for a place to park is a common experience in Mountain View. Getting close to popular attractions is easier if you plan in advance.

As with many places, the roads are usually busier in the rush hours before and after work. However, due to its smaller population of roughly 80,400, traffic isn’t much of an issue in Mountain View.

Speed limits vary in Mountain View, but typically range from 15mph to 70mph. Most residential roads have a maximum speed of 25mph unless indicated otherwise.

Normally, your chosen car rental company will bill the amount stated on the fine to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may forward your contact details to local law enforcement agencies so they can issue a fine to you directly.

As long as you have hands-free functions like Bluetooth enabled, you are able to use your phone while driving around Mountain View. Just make sure you stay focused on the road.

When driving in Mountain View, it’s against the law to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of over 0.08%. Planning to have a few drinks over lunch or dinner? Consider using a ride-sharing service or booking a taxi.

Yes, you are allowed to turn on a red light in Mountain View. However, first you have to bring the car to a total stop. Continue only when the coast is clear.

Seat belts should always be fastened in Santa Clara County. However, this rule may vary for certain vehicles, like those used by public transportation networks.