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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Petaluma. Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Skip the airport fees by picking up a car downtown and be on Highway 101 toward Sonoma wineries, Bodega Bay or San Francisco in minutes. We pull real-time prices from Enterprise, Hertz and other trusted brands so you can lock in low rates on everything from economy cars to convertibles.
| Rental Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Petaluma Local Rentals | • Lower rates than airport locations • No airport fees or surcharges • Convenient for visitors staying in Petaluma |
• Limited hours (most weekdays until 6PM, Saturday until noon) • Smaller vehicle selection • May be closed Sundays |
| Sonoma County Airport (STS) | • Closer than SFO • Less congestion than larger airports • Direct access to wine country |
• Limited flight service • Fewer rental agencies • Higher rates than major airports |
| San Francisco Airport (SFO) | • Largest vehicle selection • 24/7 service • Competitive rates due to multiple agencies |
• Airport fees increase costs by approximately 11% • 45 miles (72 km) from Petaluma • Bay Area traffic can delay travel |
Additional Notes:
On average, car rentals in Petaluma cost around $95 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $46 per day.
Pick up in Petaluma, not the airport to skip the 11 %+ airport surcharges and shave 10-15 % off the base rate. Just watch the shorter office hours (closed Sundays, early Saturday cut-off).
Shift your dates; mid-week rentals in late winter or early spring are usually the cheapest, while harvest season (Aug-Oct) and holiday weeks spike prices.
Toggle "weekly" pricing in the search box—a 7-day rate can cost the same as five separate days, so adding an extra day may actually lower the total.
Book the smallest car you're comfortable with. Downtown branches often upgrade you for free when compacts run out, effectively giving you more car for less cash.
| Area | Parking Availability | Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Petaluma | Street parking and public lots | Time limits in most areas (usually 2-3 hours); some garage parking |
| Petaluma Premium Outlets | Plenty of free parking | Unrestricted during business hours |
| Sonoma County Wineries | Varies by location | Most offer free parking; some require reservations |
Local Driving Rules:
Important Notes:
Book a car rental so you can see:
Sonoma Plaza – wine tasting rooms
Napa Valley – wineries
Bodega Bay – Pacific coastline
Point Reyes National Seashore – cliffs, hiking trails
Russian River Wineries – redwood groves, river scenery
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge
What's the best strategy for wine tasting with a rental car?
For a full day of wine tasting, we suggest you rent a driver or join a tour. Another option is to visit only 2-3 wineries a day. You can use the spittoons instead of swallowing all your wine and make sure you have a designated driver. Many wineries now ask you to make reservations, so plan your route carefully and leave plenty of time between appointments.
Is it worth getting a convertible for driving through wine country?
In the spring, summer and early fall, a convertible can make the scenic drive through Sonoma County even better. But you'll often find fog and cooler temperatures, especially in the mornings and near the coast, so you should bring layers. A convertible will cost you about $20-30 more each day than a regular car.
What are the must-drive scenic routes from Petaluma?
If you take the Bodega Bay loop on Valley Ford Road and Highway 1, you'll see amazing coastal views. The drive to Point Reyes Station on the Petaluma-Point Reyes Road takes you through beautiful countryside. If you love wine, the drive along Highway 12 through Sonoma Valley (Valley of the Moon) is especially beautiful.
How do I handle parking when visiting wineries?
Most wineries let you park for free, but smaller places might not have many spots. You should try to arrive 10-15 minutes before your reservation. During the busy season (August-October), some popular wineries have special parking for tour buses and less room for your own car.
Is it difficult to drive on winery roads?
You'll find that many roads to wineries are narrow, winding and sometimes unpaved. You should drive carefully and be ready for single-lane spots where you may need to let other cars pass. A regular car works for most wineries, but for a few remote spots, a car that sits higher off the ground might be better.
What should I know about driving to the coast from Petaluma?
When you drive on coastal roads, you can run into sudden fog that makes it very hard to see. If you run into fog, you should use your headlights, slow down and leave more space between you and the car ahead. The coast can be 20°F or more colder than it is in Petaluma, so bring the right clothes if you plan to stop.
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