San Diego’s GoCar Tours is taking sightseeing to a whole new level. Inspired by European scooters, the vehicles are essentially street-legal motorcycles that are powered by a gas engine, said operator Liz Zakharia. The two-seaters can be operated by anyone 18 years old or older and don’t require a motorcycle license. In addition, each has a GPS system. Meant for the street, GoCars have a 49cc engine and can go about 35 mph. The basic tour route drives through San Diego’s most prestigious locations, though the computer-generated route is a mere suggestion, Zakharia said. With the option to switch from the audio tour to music, drivers are encouraged to deviate from the guided path. Typically, the guide directs GoCars to slower-moving areas, but if you want to take an unusual route, Zakharia makes one suggestion: “plan ahead — there is no reverse!” San Diego’s GoCar Tours has both a downtown and Point Loma tour, with more to come. The downtown tour, GoCar Tour’s most popular, takes drivers to San Diego’s tourist attractions, from Balboa Park to Old Town. Drivers can find Downtown locations that are difficult to spot on bus tours by navigating in and out of Seaport Village, Gaslamp and the Zoo. The average time is about an hour and a half with an option to go all day.
