What can you do when you find yourself bike-less in beautiful San Diego over the 4th of July weekend? You can rent GoCars! Yes, I said GoCars not Go-Karts, which is something totally different.
We were heading west on Hawthorne street towards Harbor Drive on a quick drive down Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach when I spied little yellow cars lined up outside a rental agency. Mini New York City cabs, if you will. The tiny three wheeled contraptions were sitting under a sign that exclaimed “GoCar GPS-Guided Tours ® The Original Storytelling Car!” Never one to turn down 
something as simultaneously geeky and awesome as this, I convinced “S” we had to do it! Three days later and an interesting ride on the public bus and a walk through downtown San Diego; we were standing at the counter waiting on our first GoCar experience.
something as simultaneously geeky and awesome as this, I convinced “S” we had to do it! Three days later and an interesting ride on the public bus and a walk through downtown San Diego; we were standing at the counter waiting on our first GoCar experience.After some quibbling between the counter guy and his helper, a sort of Mutt and Jeff pairing if I ever saw one, we hopped in GoCar #8. It had handlebars like a motorcycle, automatic transmission, and was powered by a 50cc scooter tail section. Left lever rear brake, right lever front brake, twist throttle and go…Not a problem!
We cranked it up and all 50cc’s of ground pounding terror roared to life! I grabbed a fist full of throttle and the tail end kicked up as the automatic transmission engaged and off we went. Right out of the parking lot onto Kettner, another right on to Hawthorne toward Harbor Drive. We screamed west towards the harbor with the throttle pinned, inches off of the ground! (Now mind you the
roads are rough and GoCar has no suspension to speak of, so it made crossing the train tracks a bit of a visceral experience!) 
We started laughing the minute we left the rental agency and we were in tears by the time we passed the first block. I swerved left crossing two lanes of traffic to make the upcoming left, as instructed by GoCar’s onboard talking GPS tour guide, “S” shouted over the roar of the motor, “Slow down, you’re going too fast!” I looked down at the speedometer, then over at “S” and exclaimed “We’re only going 30. It won’t go
any faster!” At that statement we both roared with laughter as we idled at the light. When you’re cruising about 6 inches off the ground, the little car seems deceptively quick, that combined with the direct link rear steering makes the car handle like it is on rails.
roads are rough and GoCar has no suspension to speak of, so it made crossing the train tracks a bit of a visceral experience!) 
We started laughing the minute we left the rental agency and we were in tears by the time we passed the first block. I swerved left crossing two lanes of traffic to make the upcoming left, as instructed by GoCar’s onboard talking GPS tour guide, “S” shouted over the roar of the motor, “Slow down, you’re going too fast!” I looked down at the speedometer, then over at “S” and exclaimed “We’re only going 30. It won’t go
any faster!” At that statement we both roared with laughter as we idled at the light. When you’re cruising about 6 inches off the ground, the little car seems deceptively quick, that combined with the direct link rear steering makes the car handle like it is on rails. Everywhere we went pedestrians and people in cars were breaking their necks to see the little yellow car. As we scooted down the streets we were greeted with waves, thumbs up, and smiles. You would think that people behind us would get irate because we were only doing thirty in what was clearly a moving tourist attraction, but we were met with nothing but awe and exclamation as they passed us. (Not the case in the SUV that “S” borrowed from her friend.)
As we cruised along GoCar "Lady" explained historical points of interest interspersed with some obvious paid advertisements. Like the local Hooters, at which point GoCar, in her pleasant female voice, said…”I have a Hooter too!” “S” and I looked at each other…"Did GoCar just say what I thought it said?” Then she stated “It’s my horn button on the left handle bar!” (Insert appropriate lame joke rim shot here) Bad jokes aside, the tour was good and we had a blast.
After touring most of downtown we headed north up 5th Avenue and made a stop at a place called Extraordinary Desserts. This place is a sweet-o-phile’s heaven. I couldn’t focus; there were too many choices. “S” and I split a Lemon Crème Brule that was fan-fricken-tastic!
Sugared-up we got back on the road and did a quick tour of Balboa Park. We approached the fountain in the main section of the park and I had to do the roundabout several times. The people on the San Diego Trolley tour could hear our laughter as we passed them. They waved to us each time we made a rotation.
We blasted out of the park and headed back towards downtown passing several bars and restaurants in the University Heights/Hillcrest district. GoCar, who is apparently well-versed in the alternative lifestyles of University Heights/Hilcrest, pointed out several alternative bars in the area including The Flame. According to GoCar this bar is “the oldest alternative bar that caters to San Diego’s vibrant lesbian community!” I’m not sure, but I think GoCar touched “S” in a hand on the knee sort of way! (LOL)
We wheeled GoCar back towards downtown but since we had about 20 minutes left on our two hour rental we passed the agency and turned right on Harbor Drive instead of left. “S” knew where to find a couple of roundabouts which we circumnavigated a couple of times.
“S” even made a video clip. If you listen you can hear her laughing above the din of the motor.
We never figured out why there was an "Ejection Seat". I'd pressed it, if I didn't think we would of have gotten stranded.
So if you find the opportunity to ride a GoCar we highly recommend it! You might even find one in Austin one day. Wouldn't that help to keep Austin weird?!
