Southern California Events Blog

Orange County limo fun-Can you drink in a Towncar/SUV in California??

Most states allow consumption of alcohol by passengers inside limos and party buses in without any issue.  And for sure in California limos and partybuses we know that you can drink on-board.  The chauffeur and passengers are usually seperated by a partition and so it's pretty clear that access to "open containers" of alcohol is not an issue.

But Towncars and SUVs it is not as clear - there is no partion and so many people question if it is okay to drink in their chauffeured SUV. . . .  It perfectly legal!  The law that covers this is located below:

VC23229. (a) Except as provided in Section 23229.1 (minors not allowed alcohol and Limos can keep alcohol in a locked compartment in the passenger area) , Sections 23221 (passengers cannot drink) and 23223 (open container) do not apply to passengers in any bus, taxicab, or limousine for hire licensed to transport passengers pursuant to the Public Utilities Code or proper local authority, or the living quarters of a housecar or camper. 
(b) Except as provided in Section 23229.1, Section 23225 does not apply to the driver or owner of a bus, taxicab, or limousine for hire licensed to transport passengers pursuant to the Public Utilities Code or proper local authority. 

So bottom line it is perfectly acceptable and fine to drink in your chauffeured Orange County car service vehicle - like a Towncar or SUV.  Be smart - hire an Orange County car service before you head out to your next event where you will be drinking.  You can enjoy your cocktails on-board.

Take an Orange County Limo to the Del Mar Race Track

The 2010 Del Mar Race Track season started on July 21st and runs through September 8th.  It is Orange County's own Kentucky-Derby style high-brow, big hat, lots of drinking and fun betting race track.  As one person describes Del Mar - you've left "normal" civilization. Everything here is much, much more upper-class. 

You can count the Mercedes Benz, BMW's, Porsches, Bentleys and - from the really smart attendees who plan ahead so they don't drink and drive - the Orange County Limos.

People watching is super fun at Del Mar - very attractive women (between the ages of 26 - 40+ years) and most are attached to the arms of a millionaire or are looking for one.  Like the hip-hop song says "if you ain't got no money TAKE YO' BROKE ASS HOME" and that is definatly the atmosphere at the Del Mar Race track.

If you're lucky enough to get here on opening day, make sure to bring a stylish hat.  The news crews are out and there are tons of crazy looking hats to see.  It's like Halloween on a sunny day and aside from your hat.

It's a wild atmosphere, especially once the horses get to about 1/4 mile from the finish line.  Everyone is screaming and yelling and depending on where you are sitting - you could be about 2 feet away from the owner of one of the horses.  The gambling and energy are really fun.

Tip - Bring some sun screen if you don't have a hat or are not sitting in the shade.  And rent an Orange County limo so you can be relaxing and enjoying another cocktail as the chauffeur worries about fighting the notoriously bad traffic jam that happens when the races are over.

 

Orange County limo fun-Laguna Beach limo/sedan to Royal Hawaiian

The Lapu Lapu (Royal Hawaiian's signature large mai tai's), the 80's cover band Flashback Heart Attack, the location - right on PCH in the center of Laguna beach, and of course the good looking singles getting their groove on the dance floor make Royal Hawaiian a super fun night-time hot spot! 

Reading reviews on the food on Yelp and Citysearch I'm not sure I would like to eat there - lots of criticism for expensive, bad food and slow service.  But personally having gone to Royal Hawaiian to listen to the live entertainment - I really like the vibe for night-time fun! 

I've seen first-hand how the Lapu Lapu drinks cause pretty extreme drunkenness - so plan ahead and book a Laguna Beach limo or Laguna Beach sedan service.  This way you don't have to hassle with a cab - then going back to get your car the next morning. 

Or better yet order a Laguna Beach limo and pick up all your friends and then you can go to eat first, club hop from place to place, drink and party on-board your Laguna Beach limo.  My advice - make sure and include the Royal Hawaiian on your festivities!  Good for all ages people 21+ - heck I've seen 60 & 70 year-olds jammin out!

Take a OC limo to avoid-July 4th DUI Arrests | DUI driving a bicycle?

The good news is that slightly fewer people were arrested for driving under the influence on Orange County freeways this July 4th weekend over last year.  According to the Orange County Register - the CHP arrested 51 in Orange County for DUI between 6 p.m. Friday and midnight Monday. No one was killed in CHP jurisdiction, the CHP said. 

Last year, 57 people were arrested for DUI during the same period. There were no fatalities. Fourth of July weekend was a maximum enforcement period for the California Highway Patrol. All available officers were out on the road during the weekend looking for dangerous motorists.

While on the topic of DUIs because bicycles are so popular here in beautiful O.C. - we went to Huntington Beach for dinner on Friday and were amazed at the number of bikes - people just pedel to the local bar and then pedal home.  We figured that possibly cops look the other way because who can bike riders really hurt "drunk riding" - besides themselves. But I just read about some weird DUI cases from TotalDUI.com - a guy was actually arrested for DUI in a wheelchair and another in a golf cart.

Continue to be careful out there - get a cab, stay at a friend's house or rent a limo or Towncar instead of drinking and driving!

 

Get your O.C. limo for the 2010 All-Star Game

It's game time at Angel's stadium in Anaheim when fans of Major League Baseball flock to see the events and festivities for the 2010 All-Star Game.  Game day is 7/13/10 at Angel Stadium but events start July 9th - 13th at the Anaheim Convention Center.  The roster of the players will be announced July 4th on TBS.

Are you going to the game or events surrounding the game?  Baseball and beer and hot dogs go together - but driving after beers is NOT a good idea - especially with California's tough DUI laws - book a chauffeured SUV or SUV limo from us instead of drinking and driving.

Did I say beer and hot dogs?  According to the Orange County Register's recent article about the new food concession options for game day - much more than hot dogs will be served:

All-Star Game food facts:
1,230 workers, up from 1,130 during regular season
110 in-seat hawkers, up from 95 during regular season
20 visiting chefs
85 portable concession stands, up from 40 during regular season
17,600 bags of peanuts are expected to be sold
8,200 orders of nachos will be served 

Give us a call to book your O.C. limo to the 2010 All-Star Game this July 2010!

Orange County limo advice - What do you tip for your Irvine Limo?

There are many factors that go into figuring out gratuity on your Irvine limousine rental (or any other city in the nation for that matter):

1.  Does the company already include gratuity in the price quote/confirmation?

2.  How much of that gratuity goes directly to the chauffeur (it should be all but some companies like to cheat their workers)?

3.  Is the chauffeur an employee or independent contractor?  (Note - most companies in California have the chauffeurs as employees as there are very strict labor laws in CA - but you might want to ask - some smaller limo companies might be trying to get away with having less costly independent contractors.  A company should not classify a workers as independent contractor unless the chauffeur owns the limo).

4.  What hourly rate is the chauffeur receiving if he/she is an employee?  In CA it should be minimum wage - in AZ where our company first started - they make "tipped" hourly wages - $3 per hour less than minimum wage.

So as you can see there are many factors that go into figuring out a decent tip for your Irvine limo chauffeur.  Chauffeurs are like waiters/waitresses.  They are typically paid an hourly rate and then make the bulk of their money from gratuities.  But in our industry they usually only get to serve one "table" so if you short the chauffeur on tips - they usually can't make it up with other "tables" that night. 

And, unlike restaurant workers, chauffeurs many times have to deal with overly-intoxicated people by the end of the night.  So hook up your Irvine limo chauffeur with some good tips!

Get you Orange County Limo from this HERO!

Do you remember the Night Stalker? Most people in Orange County and LA County, California sure do!  They where terrorized by Richard Ramirez - known as the Night Stalker in the summer of 1985. Ramirez was found guilty of 13 counts of murder, 5 attempted murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries.

Instrumental in his identification, capture and ultimate conviction was James Romero III - the owner of In The Scene Limousine California! He was only an observation 13-year-old boy when he wrote down the license plate number of the car driven by a man that was trying to break into his family home. Little did he realize the implication of his actions and how being observant would save so many lives. Thank God he was observant and courageous as he chased after the Night Stalker and wrote down his license plate - information that was which was critical in the identification and ultimate arrest of the Night Stalker.

Back then James was a hero, and now he is still a hero - who knows now how many lives James helps to save when clients book chauffeured transportation instead of drinking and driving. Be smart, be safe - book your Orange County Limo with the company run by a HERO!

Click picture below for video clip of news coverage of James Romero III which aired on CBS Channel 2 on 5/13/10:

Orange County limo tips-why you can't cancel your Newport Beach limo

We get the call sometimes. It is not a pleasant phone call - maybe all their friends that were supposed to come and celebrate the birthday party or just a night out got flaky. Canceling. Backing out of the plans. Or they just broke up with their boyfriend that they had booked the Newport Beach limo (or any other city for that matter) for. Or the worse yet - the wedding just got called off. Huge bummer.

So they want to cancel the limo ride that they had scheduled with our company for days or even weeks and months. The problem is that we don't have a huge fleet of limos - so when you tie up one of our Newport Beach limos with a reservation we take it serious that you will be using the vehicle. So we turn away other customers from that same limo at that same time.

We cannot afford to turn away business - or lose business. This is why you cannot cancel without penalty. With our company, you book with at least 50% down. That 50% is non-refundable at the time of booking. The other 50% is non-refundable once we are within 2 weeks of the event. If you have to cancel because something horrible happened - like the wedding got canceled - let us know at least 2 weeks before so you can at least not be obligated to the full 100% of the reservation!

Hopefully we can re-book the Newport Beach limo and not totally be out.

It is a bummer when plans get canceled - for whatever reason - but we have to keep tight cancellation policies - especially because of the downturn in the economy. Hopefully when you book your Newport Beach limo, Mission Viejo limo or San Clemente limo - all your plans go through and you have an awesome time. That is what we are here to try and help you facilitate - having a great time with great prices, customer service oriented chauffeurs, beautiful vehicles and great service!

Take a Orange County limousine to these concerts!

More fabulous concerts and events coming to Orange County - book your Orange County limousine now!! Man - as a Phoenix transplant here in beautiful OC I'm amazed at how many more concerts and events are playing here!!  

June 16th - Sting - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater - Irvine

June 19th - 21st Annual Mariachi USA Festival - Hollywood Bowl

June 19th -POWERHOUSE 2010 - Honda Center - Anaheim

June 19 - Julio Iglesias - Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim

June 19th - Rick Martinez Comedy Night - Fox Theatre - Pomona

June 19th - Donna Summer - Fantasy Springs Resort - Indio

June 20th - Vans Warped Tour - The Home Depot Center - Carson

June 25th - Warren G - Key Club - LA

June 25-26 - Electric Daisy Carnival - Exposition Park - LA

June26th - 13 Annual Irvine Lake Blues Festival - Irvine Lake - Silverado

June 26th - Led Zepagain - Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim

June 27-28 - Long Beach Bayou Festival - Rainbow Lagoon Park - Long Beach

July 2nd - Jordin Sparks - Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim

July 3rd - Hootenanny - Oak Canyon Ranch - Irvine

Book you Orange County limousine today for these super-fun concerts and events to avoid the DUI patrols that are out and ready to bust you for getting behind the wheel after cocktails!

 

 

 

Get a Newport Beach limo or Towncar for this all-you-can-drink event!

Super fun idea that almost sounds like the booze cruises I used to love in Cabo San Lucas.  I'm sure it is a bit more refined and elegant since we are talking Orange County, CA.  Check out this fun event I just discovered - but remember to book your Newport Beach limo or Towncar at the same time you book your cruise!

Fiesta Newport Beach Cruise
running now through Labor Day (9/6/10)
Nightly, 5:30pm - 7pm

Newport Landing
309 Palm Street
Newport Beach, CA 92661

Phone: (949) 675-0551

Admission Fee: $25; $40 Unlimited Drink Package

Cruise Newport Bay and the fabulous Newport Beach coastline to the backdrop of live Latin music. This 1½ hour cruise travels through the world-renowned Newport Bay with over 20 miles of gorgeous waterfront estates and multi-million dollar yachts. Newport Bay is the largest recreational bay on the West Coast, as well as the largest natural bay. During each cruise, hundreds of yachts, sailing ships, and cruise ships navigate the harbor and create a festive boating experience. While sharing the bay you experience a little of the energy from each party, wedding, and shin dig.

While snacking on complementary fresh chips and salsa our Newport Beach Fiesta Cruise departs from Newport Bay and takes passengers along the pristine Newport Beach coastline. They will see sun bathers and umbrellas dotting the shoreline. Often compared to the beauty of the Mediterranean, Newport Beach's coastline has rugged green hills with beautiful coves with white sand beaches and magnificent beachfront estates. Passengers can watch afternoon sailboats as they play in the blue waters.

Icy margaritas and pina coladas are never too far away at the full service cantina onboard or passengers can call one of the servers and a refill appears almost instantly. A giant pod of dolphins passes by and several stay with the ship playing just under the bow. Along with the fabulous Newport Beach coastline the waters are some of the most pristine in California and thrive with marine life. No one ever knows what might be in store, including giant blue whales that have been known to cruise just outside the harbor in the late afternoon.

What a fantastic event to take Dad to on Father's day, an anniversary or birthday celebration or just a start to a great night on the town!  With all those margaritas and pina coladas flowing you would be very wise to book a Newport Beach limo or Towncar in advance to make sure you are not caught drinking and driving!