Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
208
Segway Rentals in Santa Monica
Tips
Those weird-looking upright electronic scooters zipping around the Santa Mon-
ica beach scene are coming from the
Segway Los Angeles
rental shop near the
Santa Monica Pier at 1660 Ocean Ave., 1 block south of the pier (
&
310/395-
1395;
www.segway.la). Riding these Human Transporters is a hoot: lean forward,
go forward; lean back, go back; stand straight up, stop. Simple. After the free
25-minute lesson it becomes intuitive, then you're on your own to scoot around
the paved shoreline path around Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier (
every-
one
checks you out). It's the closest you'll come to being a celebrity. A 2-hour
rental with lesson is $75. Guided tours are available as well.
Note:
You have be at
least 21 to rent one.
offered daily from 9am to 5pm for all levels of riders. The ranch is on the edge of Griffith
Park with access to 52 miles of trails. Also av ailable are private night rides (very roman-
tic), dinner rides (see “Sunset Margarita Horse Rides” box on p. 207), and riding lessons.
Rates are $25 for a 1-hour ride, $40 for 2 hours, not including tip . No reservations are
required. For more information, call
&
323/469-5450
or log on to www .sunsetranch-
hollywood.com.
Closer to the ocean in Topanga Canyon is
Los Angeles Horseback Riding
(2623 Old
Topanga Cany on Rd., Topanga;
&
818/591-2032;
www .lahorsebackriding.com), a
small, friendly outfit that offers guidedWestern-style trail rides for beginners to advanced
riders. It's situated at the top of an 1,800-foot ridgeline—about a 25-minute driv e from
Santa Monica—with panoramic views of the ocean and S an Fernando Valley (best seen
on one of the sunset or full-moon rides). What I like about this outfit is that, if the guide
feels that the group is experienced enough, she'll pick up the pace to a canter . Although
same-day reservations are sometimes possible, try to book at least 3 days in advance. Kids
6 and older are welcome, and kids 17 and under must wear helmets (bring a bike helmet,
if possible). Prices start at about $60 for a guided 70-minute ride, plus tip; 2-hour canon
rides and full-moon trips are available as well.
SAILING
Marina del Rey, the largest man-made marina in the world, is the launching
point for L.A. 's sailboat char ters such as
Free Spirit Sailing Adventures,
which offers
trips ranging from a 2-hour harbor tour ($103 per person) to full-day outings along the
coast and even 4-day voyages to the Channel Islands. Your host is Captain Larry, and the
boat is the
Carmina Mare,
a 46-foot cutter-rigged motorsailor. You can either bring your
own food and drinks or have Captain Larry prepare lunch and dinner for you. Bring your
own rods and tackle and y ou can ev en go fishing. F or more information call Captain
Larry's cellphone number,
&
310/780-3432,
or log on to www.captlarry.com.
SEA KAYAKING
Sea kayaking is all the rage in S outhern California, a simple and
serene way to explore the southern coastline.
Southwind Kayak Center
(17855 Skypark
Circle, Irvine;
&
800/768-8494
or 949/261-0200; www .southwindkayaks.com) rents
sit-on-top sea kayaks for use in the bay or open ocean at their Newport Beach and Dana
Point rental bases. Rates are $50 per day; instr uctional classes are available on weekends
only. The center also conducts several easygoing guided outings, including a $55 Back to
Nature trip that highlights the marine life ar ound Dana Point. Visit their w ebsite for
more details.
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