Getting the most from hourly car service in Los Angeles County
Hourly car service in Los Angeles County works best when you plan the shape of the day and leave the details to your chauffeur. Here’s how to estimate time, a few sample itineraries and what to expect while your driver waits.
How many hours should you book?
Start with the drive time between stops, then add the time you’ll spend at each one, then add a cushion. Some rough guides from our bookings:
- House hunting: four or five showings in one area usually takes three to four hours.
- A shopping afternoon on Rodeo Drive and The Grove: about three hours.
- Dinner and a show: four to five hours, door to door.
- A full sightseeing day for out-of-town guests: six to eight hours.
If you run long, ask your chauffeur. When the car is free, we’ll keep it with you and adjust the booking.
Sample itineraries
Westside day. Breakfast in Brentwood, the Getty Center mid-morning, lunch in Santa Monica, a walk along Abbot Kinney in Venice and dinner in Beverly Hills. Five stops, one car, no parking.
Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. The Huntington Library and gardens, lunch in Old Pasadena, a stop in Arcadia and dinner in San Gabriel. A good day for visiting family or out-of-town guests.
Hollywood night. Dinner in West Hollywood, a show at the Pantages or the Hollywood Bowl, and drinks afterward. The chauffeur handles the drop-offs and the ride home.
Coastal drive. From the Valley over the canyons to the Pacific Coast Highway, lunch in Malibu and back through Santa Monica. One of the nicest ways to see the county, with someone else driving.
What happens while the chauffeur waits
At most stops your chauffeur waits nearby. In places where cars can’t stop, like parts of Beverly Hills or busy Downtown streets, they’ll park close or circle and be back at the curb when you text. Your bags and shopping stay locked in the car the whole time.
Chauffeur by the hour vs. separate rides
For one stop, a one-way transfer is usually the better value. Once you have three or more stops, or long waits at each one, hiring a chauffeur by the hour often costs about the same and saves a lot of hassle. There’s no re-booking, no waiting for the next car and no surge pricing between stops.
Going beyond the county
Hourly bookings don’t have to stay in L.A. County. A day trip to Orange County, Santa Barbara wine country or the desert works the same way. Just tell us the plan when you book so we can schedule the time properly.
Hourly service in the city
Most hourly days touch the city of Los Angeles at some point. Our hourly car service in Los Angeles page covers the city in more detail, and our luxury chauffeur service is the right fit for weddings and events.
