RSSAugust, 2012 | San Francisco Travel Blog - Part 2 Archive
Road Rally a Must-See for Bay Area Antique Car Enthusiasts
We wrote recently about the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, an upcoming antique car show for serious car collectors and car lovers, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the road rally that leads up to the show and involves lots of entrants. The Pebble Beach Motoring Classic is the official prelude to the Concours and is now in its eighth year. The 1,500-mile tour of vintage cars from around the world leads off an amazing week of antique car auctions, races and shows on the Monterey Peninsula and is the event of the year for Bay Area vintage car lovers.
This year’s Classic begins on August 7 in Kirkland, Wash., and participants are expected to arrive in Pebble Beach eight days later. However, no matter how well restored and maintained these antiques may be, breakdowns and other unexpected developments are the rule rather than the exception in most years. The mountainous route from the Pacific Northwest can be very unforgiving to vintage cars, and owners and organizers frequently have to take alternative routes on their way south.
Participant Al McEwan is the proud owner of a 1931 Pierce-Arrow. He had to replace the head gasket on his motor shortly after he and other participants crossed into California last year.
“Something always comes up you can’t plan for,” he said. “Old cars break. You just have to roll with that.”
However, despite the occasional breakdown and route change, participants love the experience. They get to enjoy spectacular scenery as they travel through the Cascade Range, the Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake and the redwood forests of Northern California’s rugged coast. They then turn inland and travel through the Sonoma Valley wine region, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue through San Francisco on their way to Monterey.
If you love antique cars, make time to see these automotive beauties as they travel through the Bay Area. If you would like the experience of riding in a timeless classic automobile, call us today at 800-339-8936 to ask about our San Francisco antique car rentals! We offer a very respectable selection of vintage cars for our guests who rent them for weddings, anniversaries, trips to the wine country, sightseeing tours and other special occasions. Browse our selection on our site, and, if you have questions or want to make a reservation, just give us a call at NLS Limo!
Save Time and Enjoy the Bay Area in Our San Francisco Cable Car Rentals
Most travelers heading to San Francisco consider a cable car ride up and down our city’s steep streets an essential part of the experience. However, many are not prepared for the wait times that cable car riders often have to face, especially during the summer season. If you want an authentic San Francisco cable car experience but don’t care to spend your time waiting in line, we have good news! You can rent one of our affordable motorized cable cars with friends and family and experience the Bay Area on your own terms! Our San Francisco cable car rentals look, sound and feel just like the ones you see on postcards but have several advantages, including these:
- Mobility
Unlike the cable cars that are limited to tracks, our San Francisco cable car rentals can take you wherever you’d like to go! You can use them to drop you and your friends and family off at the city’s best shopping districts, restaurants, clubs and other destinations. You can also design your own sightseeing tour and experience the grandest sights and off-the-beaten-track destinations for a truly authentic Bay Area experience. - Comfort
Our cable cars are available in the traditional open-air version, as well as the warmer and more comfortable enclosed version to protect you from the chilly breezes off the Bay. The weather here can be unpredictable, so if you’re not sure which type of cable car will be best for an upcoming visit, simply ask your reservation specialist for a recommendation based on the forecast. - Convenience
Unlike traditional cable cars, ours are available at all times, making it easier for you and your party to make plans around your schedule, rather than the Transportation Agency’s limited schedules. - Exclusivity
Our cable cars comfortably accommodate up to 34 friends and family members with plenty of space for everyone. Rather than having to bump elbows with strangers, you and your friends and family can stretch out, relax and enjoy having your own cable car experience.
These are just a few of the very practical reasons to rent our San Francisco cable cars for your upcoming visit. They are also quite affordable, making it easy for you to split the rental or treat your whole group to an authentic San Francisco experience. For more information or to make a reservation, just give us a call at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936! All aboard!
Car Customization Specialists Finish Ferrari With Leather Exterior
Dartz Motorz Company, a luxury car customization company based in Latvia, recently announced the completion of their latest project: a $200,000 Ferrari coupe sheathed in a sleek leather exterior. Dartz is notoriously protective of their clients’ anonymity, but they say that they crafted this automotive oddity for a wealthy client on the French Riviera. The Ferrari F430 project took three craftsmen 16 days to complete, and while it is certainly an unusual look, we have to say that it looks very nice.
Dartz is owned by Leonard Yankelovich, who has built a very lucrative business customizing cars for owners with unusual tastes, including a gold-plated Prombons SUV for film star Sasha Baron Cohen and a $1.5 million SUV with whale skin seats.
Yankelovich was very pleased with the leather-clad Ferrari, as was the client. He said, “One of our very rich customers from the Cote d’Azur wanted a leather exterior and knew we could deliver. It took three of my staff 16 working days to apply the leather and finish. He was more than happy when he picked it up.”
Yankelovich dispelled rumors that his crew had actually used vinyl for the project. Critics said that leather would be a very impractical finish, as it would not be able to withstand the elements and quickly lose its sheen. Countering their assertions, Yankelovich maintains that his crew used real leather, but hinted that they had used “something in-between” to produce a more lasting finish. He would not reveal the price tag for the unique customization but said that the Ferrari was an example of the craftsmanship and inventiveness of the artisans on his staff.
We really enjoy reports about unique car customizations like this, as we are car lovers and have our own craftsmen who customize our limousines, party buses, luxury coaches and other luxury vehicles. While we do not currently have any Ferraris in our fleet of San Francisco luxury car rentals, we do offer several Mercedes, Lincolns, Cadillacs, luxury SUVs and much more.
If you’re looking for luxury car rentals in the Bay Area, just give us a call at 800-339-8936 for more information about the different models, rates and availability. Our rates are affordable, our customer service sets the standard in our industry and we regularly add new vehicles to our selection. Call us at NLS Limo today to see how fun and affordable our luxury car rentals truly are!
Party Bus Altercation Results in One Arrest, Five Injuries
One man has been arrested and five people were injured after a recent altercation in Surrey, British Columbia, involving a driver and the passengers of a party bus. A spokesperson with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told reports that the altercation began when the party bus carrying 50 guests pulled into a gas station. They said that as the party bus was being fueled, some inebriated guests got off the bus and began harassing a motorist who was trying to drive into the station.
“This confrontation quickly escalated violently and was fuelled by a toxic mix of alcohol, testosterone, and poor judgment,” said Sgt. Drew Grainger. "This altercation led to weapons being brandished by both parties including edged weapons, bear spray, and a piece of lumber."
The ensuing altercation injured five people, including the chauffeur and one guest who suffered stab wounds. Officers arrested the 22-year-old driver of the car and charged him with assault, and the RCMP is also considering charges against some of the bus passengers.
Sgt. David MacDonald said that officers had a difficult time determining why the altercation occurred and how many people were involved.
“Anybody who was at (the) scene says it was a big mess, a really big kerfuffle and we are going to have to try and figure it out during the daytime hours to get a better grasp on the situation,” he said.
Sad to say, this is the sort of nonsense that gives party buses in San Francisco and across the country a bad reputation. Similar incidents here in the Bay Area have caused club owners and some San Francisco city officials to ask state lawmakers to consider changes to California party bus laws that currently exempt chauffeurs from being responsible for drunken guests. These changes are currently being reviewed in the Senate and are expected to pass.
If and when these changes are passed into law, they won’t change our policy towards underage or excessive drinking and rowdy behavior. We want our Bay Area party bus guests to have a great time, but we also want to make sure that everyone gets home safely. That is and always has been our policy and first priority. So, if you’re looking for a San Francisco party bus rental company that takes the safety of their guests seriously while providing a fun, festive and affordable luxury experience, call us at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936 to reserve your Bay Area party bus today!
Lincoln Navigator SUV Limos Very Popular With Chinese Buyers
Newly affluent Chinese buyers have been clamoring for luxury items as their country’s economy has grown and the surging popularity of limousines is no exception. The market for new and pre-owned Lincoln Navigator SUV limos is especially strong, and dealers claim that they cannot get enough of the vehicles to satisfy demand. On average, used Lincoln Navigator limousines sell for around two million yuan or around $313,000 in U.S. dollars. New models can sell for much more.
Chinese buyers looking to make an impression on their friends and business rivals pursue the longest Navigator limousines possible and prefer models that are 36 feet long or longer. Many of these used Lincolns come from limousine services here on the west coast, as Ford Motor Company does not currently have any Lincoln dealerships in China. While that may change in the near future as Ford responds to demand in this emerging market, selling these high-profile limos is currently a seller’s market, and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Salesmen at the most prestigious luxury car dealerships in Beijing sell an average of one Navigator limo a day, and many say they could sell more if they had a steadier supply. SUV limos with dance floors, disco balls, stripper poles, laser light systems and other highly desired amenities are the most difficult to find and usually ignite bidding wars among buyers when they become available.
Competition for Lincoln Navigator SUV limos can be somewhat fierce here in the Bay Area as well, as our guests reserve these popular models for a wide range of different special occasions, including the following:
- Weddings
- Concerts
- Sporting events
- Bachelor/Bachelorette parties
- Sightseeing tours
- Birthdays
- Proms
- Anniversaries
- Many other special occasions
Reservations for our San Francisco Navigator limo rentals fill up quickly for the most popular nights, weekends and holidays. If you’re thinking about renting a SUV limo for an upcoming event, it’s best to make your reservations as early as possible. To reserve your preferred model, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936 to speak with one of our reservation specialists. They will be able to answer all your questions and help make your San Francisco limousine experience extra special! Call us today!
Rent a San Francisco Limousine or Party Bus for the Upcoming Concert Season
The Bay Area is home to a very lively music scene every month of the year, but music lovers know that summer and fall are when the biggest touring bands swing through and play at the many outdoor venues in our area. If you and your friends have tickets to a big upcoming show that you would like to make even more special by renting a limo, party bus, limo bus or other type of luxury transportation, you have definitely come to the right place! We became San Francisco’s premier limousine service by offering the best selection of luxury vehicles at the best rates and providing legendary customer service. There are many reasons why our vehicles are ideal for concert transportation, but here are a few for your consideration:
- Everyone gets to have a good time
Since your chauffeur is the ultimate designated driver, you and your friends can party to and from the concert without having to worry about everyone getting home safely after the show. - Bay Area traffic
Getting to and from the Bay Area’s most popular music venues can be a drag, and parking is usually scarce and expensive. Renting a limousine or party bus alleviates all those traffic and parking concerns, so you and your friends spend less time driving and more time enjoying each other’s company! - Convenience
Your chauffeur will drop you off and pick you up right at the venue, allowing you to walk right in and get your groove on. Rather than wasting time wandering in the parking lot looking for your car after the show, you can step right in your luxury rental and be whisked away from the noise and traffic. - Space, comfort and luxury
Whether you prefer a limo, party bus, limo bus, luxury coach or other luxury vehicle, you and your friends will enjoy lots of space, very comfortable seating and lots of amenities to and from the show. - An experience you and your friends will remember for a lifetime
Simply put, renting a limo or party bus for concert transportation is fun! Adding fun and luxury to a concert experience is certain to create memories that you and your friends will talk about long after the last note is played.
If renting a San Francisco limousine or party van for a concert sounds like your idea of a good time, call us today at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936 to make your reservation! We have a huge selection, and our rates are very affordable. If you finally scored tickets to that once-in-a-lifetime concert, make it even more memorable by enjoying convenience and all the other advantages of luxury transportation this upcoming concert season!
Obama Campaign Bus Stocks Beer Brewed in White House
One of the more interesting developments during this year’s presidential campaign is the news that President Obama stocks homemade beer to enjoy on the campaign trail. Given the extraordinary security measures and amenities inside the president’s campaign bus, you couldn’t call it a party bus. Yet, we were pleasantly surprised to learn of his fondness for homebrews. During a recent stop at a coffee shop in Knoxville, Iowa, Mr. Obama chatted with a man, and when the conversation drifted to beer, the man was very pleasantly surprised with the president and offered him a cold one from his private supply.
When the press corps learned about the president’s offer, they asked White House spokesman Jay Carney a flurry of questions about what kind of beers were available. Carney reported that White House brew masters brew light and dark beers for the president and confessed that he had tried the lighter beer and found that “it is superb.”
The Obamas served their White House Honey Ale, made with honey from the first lady’s hives in the White House garden, at last year’s Super Bowl party. Insiders say that the president also served White House Honey Ale last September to Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer, who had requested to have a beer with his Commander in Chief. Presidents Washington and Jefferson also made their own brews, but Mr. Obama is believed to be the first president to brew at the White House.
Here at NLS Limo, we like a well crafted beer as well. We enjoy drinking one or two after a day or evening of transporting our guests, and we enjoy stocking our San Francisco party buses and luxury coaches with our guests’ favorite beers for concerts, weddings, sporting events and other special occasions.
We may be San Francisco’s premier limousine service, but we never lose sight of the fact that we are in the hospitality business. We go to great lengths to help our guests get the most from their experience in our party buses, luxury coaches, limousines or other luxury ground transportation. Want to surprise your friends and family with their favorite beers and other adult beverages during their San Francisco party bus or luxury coach rental? Simply call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936 to let us know what you would like! We will do whatever we can to make it happen!
Make Plans to Attend This Year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
People here in the Bay Area are very familiar with the wealthy and exclusive enclave of Pebble Beach. Nestled on the California coast just south of Monterey, Pebble Beach is home to seven golf courses, including the beautiful and notoriously difficult Pebble Beach Golf Links. However, when classic car enthusiasts like us think of Pebble Beach, we’re not thinking about fairways and putting greens. We’re thinking about the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the world’s best classic car shows.
This annual event occurs on the third Sunday of each August and features the kind of classic cars that make aficionados swoon. This year will mark the 62nd anniversary of this marvelous event, but this show is definitely not designed to attract everyday car enthusiasts. Advance tickets sell for $200, but sticker shock has not been a problem for event organizers, who say that the car show attracted 15,000 people last year. This year, organizers have announced that they will award prizes to the top three cars in at least 20 categories. Winners will then compete for the coveted Best in Show award.
The ticket price alone would tell you that this is no ordinary car show, but to get an idea of how exclusive this annual event truly is, consider the automotive marques (brands to us ordinary collectors) that will be honored at this year’s show:
- The Mercer automobile, which was manufactured in Trenton, N.J., from 1909 to 1925 and will have 12 entries
- Eight Fiat automobiles, all manufactured in 1913 or earlier
- Eleven very rare automobiles designed by Jacques Saoutchik, a Ukrainian-born custom carmaker who crafted automobiles in Paris from 1906 and 1955
- Nine Shelby Cobras made between 1962 and 1966 by Carroll Shelby, the stuff from which car lovers from a certain era’s dreams are truly woven
- Ten one-of-a-kind American sports cars built prior to 1968
- Fifteen custom Rolls-Royce limousines built between 1924 and 1937 that were once owned by Indian Maharajas
In addition to that phenomenal list of vintage automobiles, there will be dozens of other superb antique cars for attendees to see and appreciate.
If you’re thinking about adding that feeling of timeless elegance to an upcoming special event, consider renting one of our San Francisco antique cars. We have a very respectable selection of vintage cars and are always in the market for models we can lovingly restore and add to our collection. Browse the pages of our site to see the Bay Area antique car rentals that are currently available. If you have questions or would like to make a reservation, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936!
Bentley Introduces Diamond Jubilee Limo to Honor Queen Elizabeth
Legendary luxury automobile manufacturer Bentley Motors has announced that it plans to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 60-year reign with a series of special Bentley limousines. Bentley has crafted only 60 Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition limos, one for each year of the Queen’s reign, and they are valued at over $1 million each. These limited edition Bentleys are designed by Bentley’s Mulliner division, the same craftspeople that created the State Limousine presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
The release of these limousines was timed to coincide with the recent opening of one of the world’s largest Bentley dealership in Beijing, as most of these exclusive limos are expected to be sold to Chinese buyers. The Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition limousines feature several unique, handcrafted features that pay tribute to Her Majesty, including the following:
- Gold stitching and custom embroidery on each headrest
- Veneered picnic tables in the rear cabin decorated with gold overlay depicting the royal carriage used on special occasions
- Matching seat cushions with the same embroidery and gold stitching as the headrests
- Two stainless steel treadplates featuring the famous "Bentley Mulliner, England" script and "Diamond Jubilee Edition"
- The full complement of state-of-the-art Bentley limousine amenities
If you know a lady who deserves to be treated like a queen, but you don’t have the means to buy one of these limited edition limousines, we humbly offer a very viable and affordable alternative. Rent one of our San Francisco limousine or Bay Area classic limos, and allow us to provide her with a royal treatment she will never forget!
We have a huge selection of luxury vehicles that are perfect for treating that special lady in your life. Consider our San Francisco limo rentals for the following:
- Sightseeing tours
- Nights on the town
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Concerts
- Wine tours
- Other memorable occasions
Call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936 for more information about each of the Bay Area limos in our fleet, and ask about money-saving monthly specials and limo packages. Our limo rentals also make great gifts! If you know someone who could use a break from her everyday grind and deserves to be treated like a queen, give us a call and let us take care of the rest!
Nebraska Man Selling Huge Collection of Antique Cars to Focus on Finding a Wife
Jerry Andreasen slowly built one of the country’s best collections of antique cars over several decades, but now the man is planning to sell all of them to focus on finding a wife. The 74-year-old from Omaha, Neb., says that he has never been on a date and wants to focus on finding someone to spend the rest of his life with. He claims that he was so obsessed with collecting antique automobiles for his collection that he never had the money or the time to find a wife.
“I spent so much time working and getting my cars, I never got married,” Andreasen lamented to a reporter. “I’m going to look for a wife, and I don’t care if she already has a half-dozen kids. I’d put all my money into cars. Whatever I’d make, I’d turn around and put it into cars. But I’d never do it again because I never had time for anything else. I’ve never been on a date.”
His collection is quite impressive with over 90 antique automobiles and motorcycles amassed over 45 years. He had planned to open his own museum at some point to showcase his collection, but those plans never materialized, and now he’s selling everything, including parts that he bought over the years to restore these classics. Many of the cars and motorcycles are inoperable, but that isn’t expected to dissuade other collectors who will be descending on a farm near Benington, Neb., for the sale.
Auctioneer Gabe Petersen said it is the biggest collection of antique cars his business has ever sold at a single auction.
“We’ve never sold that many, that old before,” he said. “It’s kind of a hodgepodge with a little bit of everything for the casual and serious collector as well.”
Andreasen hopes that this auctioneer and sale will bring a tidier sum than the sale he held last year to sell off some of the jewels of the collection.
“I sold off my choice cars last year, and the auctioneer practically gave them away,” he said. “That man didn’t know a pickup truck from a car. The guys this time know what we’ve got here, and they’re excited. People who build street rods are going to have a ball.”
Some of the highlights of this year’s sale include the following:
- 1918 Buick Truck
- 1938 Lincoln Zephyr
- 1963 Falcon Ranchero
- 1960 Austin Healey 3000
- Austin Healey Sprite
If we were a little closer to Nebraska, we’d be heading to this sale for sure! As you probably know, we’re very proud of our collection of Bay Area antique car rentals and are always on the lookout for new beauties to add to our collection. We’re crazy for cars of all kinds around here, but there’s a special spot in our hearts for rarities like these. If you feel the same way about old cars and would like to rent one for an upcoming special occasion, just give us a call at 800-339-8936! From antique Rolls-Royce limousines to vintage Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Plymouths and more, we have several classics from which to choose. Call us at NLS Limo for more information about each of the San Francisco antique cars in our fleet, and reserve yours today!
Call 1-800-339-8936 for your free quote
Great customer service, great prices, and always a lot of fun.
I've used Nationwide 3 or 4 times now and have not once been disappointed. Great customer service, great prices, and always a lot of fun. Staff always helps me pick the best option for my group and our budget.