CruzCarz - IntelliTours GPS tours in Santa Cruz a big hit
By Emily Nord - Santa Cruz Sentinel correspondent
SANTA CRUZ — A new business in town is helping customers learn about the city’s history while riding in style.
Cruz Carz, opened this spring by Judy Locke and Lynn Falcon, rents GPS-enabled, three-wheeled cars that allow people to take a spin through town and guides them to points of interest.
“We saw the cars and thought it would be a great business for Santa Cruz once summer comes,” Locke said.
Locke, a physical education teacher at Soquel High, and Falcon, a banker at Comerica, opened the business April 4, just in time for spring break.
“Business has been getting a little bit stronger everyday,” Locke said. “People keep walking in who just discovered us.”
Locke and Falcon, who continue to hold their day jobs, run the business from 131 Center St. Their 10 vehicles, classified as motorcycles and dubbed scooter coupes, have 100cc engines, two seats, three wheels and a body that gives them the shape of a car. The $6,500 cars get 60 miles per gallon and go a zippy 45 mph.
The cost to rent a CruzCar begins at $39 dollars an hour, which covers gas and the GPS tour. Once in the car, customers can select from three preset routes that will guide them to the Santa Cruz Mission, West Cliff Drive, Pacific Avenue, Natural Bridges and the historic homes on Walnut Street. Upon arriving at certain locations, the GPS gives a brief, spoken history of the spot.
The GPS is what CruzCar customer Linda Patterson enjoyed the most. “I live herein Santa Cruz and I learned so much history that I didn’t know before,” she said.Customers also have the option to pick their own route — as long as they don’t get on the freeway.
Customers must be at least 21, have a valid driver’s license and pay a required credit card deposit of $400. Because the Cruz Carz are registered as motorcycles, all customers must wear a helmet, which is included with the rental. However, customers don’t need a motorcycle license.
To promote Cruz Carz, Locke and Falcon have partnered with the Santa Cruz hotel group, Seascape Resort and Coastview Inn, which offer package deals with a hotel stay.
Since starting Cruz Carz, Locke has enjoyed getting to know Santa Cruz a little more.
“We’re much more active in the community now,” Locke said. “We spend a lot of time talking to people and spend less time at home.”
In the future, Locke hopes to add more cars with more seats and to acquire some Segways to rent.
(c) Santa Cruz Sentinel July 10, 2009
