$26 Cheap Car Rental in Santa Cruz, CA

I have a discount code

A trusted Expedia brand

Book a car in 3 easy steps

Find great deals

Recent car searches in Santa Cruz, California - United States of America $26

* Price found within the past 6 days. Click for updated prices.

Special

Wild Card Compact or larger if available or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Wild Card Compact or larger if available

$21

$37 total
found 8 hours ago
Special Wild Card Compact or larger if available

Standard

Chevrolet Cruze or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Chevrolet Cruze

$25

$42 total
found 8 hours ago
Standard Chevrolet Cruze

Economy

Chevrolet Spark or similar
  • 4 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Chevrolet Spark

$26

$26 total
found 7 hours ago
Economy Chevrolet Spark

Fullsize

Chevrolet Malibu or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Chevrolet Malibu

$26

$43 total
found 8 hours ago
Fullsize Chevrolet Malibu

Compact

Ford Focus or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Ford Focus

$27

$27 total
found 7 hours ago
Compact Ford Focus

Luxury

Genesis G70 or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Genesis G70

$58

$85 total
found 7 hours ago
Luxury Genesis G70

Premium Pickup Regular Cab

Ford F150 or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Ford F150

$75

$106 total
found 9 hours ago
Premium Pickup Regular Cab Ford F150

Mini Van

Chrysler Pacifica or similar
  • 7 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
Chrysler Pacifica

$87

$120 total
found 9 hours ago
Mini Van Chrysler Pacifica

Standard Elite Special

BMW 228i Gran Coupe or similar
  • 5 people
  • Unlimited mileage
San Jose, California, USA
BMW 228i Gran Coupe

$93

$128 total
found 10 hours ago
Standard Elite Special BMW 228i Gran Coupe

Don't see what you're looking for?

See all car rentals in Santa Cruz
View all cars
Lowest prices found within the past 8 hours. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Frequently asked questions

What are the major attractions in Santa Cruz?
If your trip to Santa Cruz is all organized but your travel itinerary is a bit on the empty side, let us give you a helping hand.Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk deserves more than just a quick drive-by tour. Get out of your car and spend some time discovering this famous attraction while you're visiting Santa Cruz.If anybody asks why you're heading here, just show them a few images of Main Beach and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. These wonderful attractions guarantee you'll have an unforgettable trip.Plan a stop at Pacific Avenue. It's one sight you'll find on many travelers' to-do lists. Santa Cruz Wharf and Pasatiempo Golf Course are also close by and worth taking the time to see.
What are the best road trip destinations near Santa Cruz?
Situated 20 miles away and offering plenty to see and do, Castroville draws visitors year-round. Come and see why they keep coming back. You may also like to check out the sights and sounds of Campbell. It's located 20 miles from Santa Cruz and has some great things to offer.
Where are the best beaches near Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has some glorious coastal areas, and what better way to explore them than from behind the wheel of your own rental car. See what treasures you can find strewn along the water's edge at one of these famous beaches:

  • Natural Bridges State Park (3 miles away).
  • New Brighton State Beach (5 miles away).
  • Three Mile Beach (5 miles away).

Where are the best convention centers near Santa Cruz?
If you're attending a corporate conference in Santa Cruz, you may want to follow up with your new friends over dinner and drinks. Fortunately, these convention centers offer some excellent restaurants and cafés close by:

  • Cocoanut Grove (1 mile away).
  • Mount Madonna Center (16 miles away).

What kind of rental car should I get for Santa Cruz?
Whether you're heading away solo or with the whole family, CarRentals.com will help you find a suitable set of wheels for your Santa Cruz trip. A compact car is a fabulous option if you plan to spend nearly all of your time downtown. Thrifty and with impressive mileage, these vehicles will take you here, there and everywhere quickly and comfortably. If you feel like making a big impression, browse our special category. You're sure to find something that'll make a few jaws drop. Got the young ones with you? A roomy SUV will match your needs.
Should I get a luxury rental car in Santa Cruz?
For some, owning a luxury vehicle may be a little out of reach. But renting your dream ride is far easier than you think! Imagine the joy of cruising the open roads in a fancy sports car, even if it's only for a few days. Or maybe all you're looking for is a set of wheels to get you quickly from A to B. Affordable or flashy? Whatever you decide, there's a rental car to suit you in Santa Cruz.
What side of the road do they drive on in Santa Cruz?
In Santa Cruz, you'll have to keep to the right-hand side. When exploring someplace new, it's always a wise idea to choose an automatic car. That way, you can focus on the road and not stress about gear changes.
Is it difficult to park in Santa Cruz?
Finding a place to park in Santa Cruz can take time. That's why many look for a hotel that comes with a parking lot. When leaving the car around town, make sure you check the signage. Overstaying the maximum time limit could earn you a nasty fine.
Does Santa Cruz have peak-hour traffic?
As with most cities, you can expect slightly heavier traffic in the early and late rush hours. However, with a population of roughly 64,200, traffic congestion isn't a big problem in Santa Cruz.
Are there speed limits in Santa Cruz?
While cruising through the streets of Santa Cruz, keep in mind that the speed limits usually range from 15mph to 70mph. Residential areas are 25mph unless indicated otherwise.
What happens if I get a speeding fine while driving a rental car in Santa Cruz County?
One of two things will happen. Your chosen car rental company may bill the amount of the fine to your credit card. This is the more common practice. Or it may forward your contact details to the relevant local authority so the fine is sent to you directly.
Is it illegal to use a cell phone while driving in Santa Cruz?
It's illegal to use your cell phone while you're behind the wheel in Santa Cruz, and you may also be fined for simply holding your phone when you're in control of a vehicle. That being said, using hands-free or Bluetooth functions is allowed, as long as your attention remains on the road.
What are the rules around drink driving in Santa Cruz?
In Santa Cruz, it is a fineable offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) in excess of 0.08%. If you're planning to have a few drinks, you'd be wise to leave the car at your hotel.
Is turning on a red light allowed in Santa Cruz?
Road rules in Santa Cruz permit drivers at a red light to turn into the direction of traffic closest to them, without waiting for it to turn green. Before turning, the vehicle must fully stop and the driver must make sure that the way is clear before moving on.
Are seat belts compulsory in Santa Cruz County?
Seat belts are compulsory in Santa Cruz County. That being said, the rules may differ for some vehicles, such as those used by public transportation networks.

Car Rental Information

City pick-up location
Santa Cruz
Lowest price
$26
Popular car types:
SUV, Full size, Economy & Standard