Exotic Cars Along the California Coast

How expensive could it be to rent an exotic car, drive it from LA to SF, and stay in luxury hotels?

Routes

Option #1: SBA → SFO

The initial stab at the trip. Flights into SBA are limited.

Car: Aston Martin DB12

Hotels: Hotel Californian, Alila Ventana Big Sur

Total Price: ~$9,000


Option #2: Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria → SFO

Is there anything bougier than having your exotic car dropped off at your suite at the Waldorf in Beverly Hills?

Car: Aston Martin DB12

Hotels: Waldorf Astoria, Hotel Californian, Alila Ventana Big Sur

Total Price: ~$8,500

(Could get down to ~$4,000 with a cheaper car)


Option #3: Monterey → Monterey

And then...

The economical option!

Car: Porsche 911

Hotels: Hotel Californian, Alila Ventana Big Sur

Total price: ~$2,500


Rental cars

Enterprise

Pros:

  • Fantastic deal, by far the lowest price

Cons:

  • Limited car selection (Porsche 911)
  • No one-way car rentals offered at seemingly any exotics location

Falcon Car Rental

Pros:

  • Extensive car offerings
  • One way rentals

Cons:

  • Very pricy
  • Limited mileage per day
  • Extra fee for pickup & drop-off.

Hertz/Avis/Santa Barbara Companies/...

No exotic car offerings.


Hotels

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

My Price: 1x Hilton FNC

Cash Price: $900

Hotel Californian Santa Barbara

Price: $1000 - $300 Amex FHR Credit

Options in Santa Barbara for FHR are generally overpriced. Kimpton THC is the best value, but requires 2 nights.

Alila Ventana Big Sur

My Price: 132,000 Hyatt points for 2x nights

Cash Price: $5,000