Top dream rides for Valentines Day
While your dream vehicle might not be a permanent fixture in your garage, it is possible to make your Valentine’s Day fantasy come true just for a day or two. We’ve compiled a list of local rental specialists for motorcycles, exotic cars, Segways and even horseback riding and racecar driving courses that’ll help you cruise the southand in style this Valentine’s weekend.
Exotic car rentals
Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car
9732 Little Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 274-6969
www.bhrentacar.com
Midway Car Rental
1800 S Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 445-4355
www.midwaycarrental.com
Stop foot traffic for a day or two with an exotic car rental. Places like Midway Car Rental and Beverly Hills Rent-a-Car can let you burn rubber in a Ferrari F430 or Bentley GT for a few thousand a day, (or a Mini Cooper or PT Cruiser for smaller budgets). Both will deliver your choice ride to the door, provide professional tutorials on proper driving and care, and offer suggestions on known routes to explore. Bookings go as fast as the cars this time of year, so early reservations are advised.
Motorcycle Rentals
EagleRider
4110 Lincoln Blvd
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 302-1239
www.eaglerider.com
Showcase Exotic Car Rentals
3939 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA
(800) 577-3451
www.showcaseexoticrentals.com
An intense ride up PCH, crisp wind in your face, babe (or dude) at your side bugs in your teeth. EagleRider in Marina del Rey has Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles for $130 a day and up, plus ATV’s and other adventure riders. Guided motorcycle tours usually run in the spring and summer, but self-ride itineraries, which include hotel stays, are available year-round at varying prices. Meanwhile, Newport Beach’s Showcase Exotic Car Rental has 2006 and 2007 Harley that start at $169 a day.
Horseback Riding
Griffith Park Horse Rentals
480 W Riverside Dr
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 840-8401
www.griffithparkhorses.com
Embrace your inner John Wayne with a trail ride through Griffith Park’s mountain tops. For $65 a person, Griffith Park Horse Rentals’ three-hour sunset dinner rides take groups of 20 to 30 on a scenic route to cozy, no-thrills Viva Cantina in Burbank for a few helpings of margaritas and fajitas before a lazy journey back over the hill. Other guided trail rides start at $25 an hour, plus gratuity.
Racecar driving classes
L.A. Racing at Irwindale Speedway
500 Speedway Dr
Irwindale, CA 91706
(626) 358-7432
www.laracingx.com
Heavy footers tired of the California Highway Patrol can find something more their speed with L.A. Racing courses. Starting at $249 for 10 laps, instructors teach beginners and advanced students how to maneuver super late-model stock cars like Monte Carlos and Impalas around the track. More experienced drivers can go for the $1500 Competition Course and sit in with others looking to clean up their skills. Those wanting proof of their endeavors can get the $99 picture-in-picture video.
Segway Rentals
Segway Los Angeles
1660 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-1395
www.segway.la
Green motorists wanting coastal rides without the guilt can rent battery operated Segways from the dealer near the Santa Monica Promenade. For a minimum of $75 for two hours and completion of an in-store training course that teaches you how to stand and other technicalities, the two-wheel Human Transporter can take upright motorists around the area. Those interested in self-guided exploration can join the two-hour tour of the Santa Monica beach areas and Palisades Park that’s part of the rental fee. Converts can use the rental cost toward the purchase of their own HT.
