Island Rides LLC: How a Family Dream Is Redefining Coastal Travel in Charleston/Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

By Mark A Leon

In Charleston’s coastal Lowcountry, where narrow roads, historic streets, and island communities define the pace of life, Island Rides, LLC has quietly become a signature way to experience the region. Owned and operated by Paula and Joe Gilchrist, this family-owned business combines sophisticated electric low-speed vehicles (LSVs) with a deeply personal, concierge-style service. What began as a luxury car-business pivot has organically grown into a Charleston lifestyle staple — offering not just transportation, but an experience rooted in hospitality, sustainability, and local charm.

From Luxury Cars to Open-Air Cruising: The Origin Story

Paula and Joe Gilchrist aren’t originally from Charleston — they moved here from Pennsylvania after building a successful career in high-end automobile sales. According to Charleston Style + Design, their background in luxury vehicles gave them a natural lens through which to view the LSV market: sleek, amenity-rich golf carts powered by lithium batteries, complete with Bluetooth, CarPlay, premium seating, and DOT-safety features.  

The couple bought Island Rides in 2022, bringing their deep understanding of clientele, vehicles, and service to a new domain. Rather than simply renting carts, they envisioned a company that would deliver — literally — a personalized, elevated transportation experience consistent with Charleston’s character.  

The Door-to-Door Custom Service Model

At the heart of Island Rides’ appeal is its delivery-first model. Unlike traditional rentals where you pick up a vehicle, Island Rides brings the cart to you. Their website clearly states: “We come to you! Island Rides will deliver the golf cart to your rental address at the start of the reservation and pick up the golf cart at the end.”  

This customer-centric service reduces hassle and elevates convenience. For instance, guests staying downtown don’t need to pick up a cart themselves — the LSV arrives at their vacation rental or hotel, ready to cruise.   For each reservation, delivery and pickup are coordinated to make the rental feel seamless, like an extension of a concierge’s role.

Island Rides’ fleet is entirely street legal. Its LSVs are fully DOT-equipped, with seatbelts, lights, mirrors, horns, and more — which means clients can drive on roads with posted speed limits up to 35 mph.   Their lithium-battery technology gives each ride an eco-conscious edge, reducing noise and emissions while offering 20–50 miles of range depending on the model.  

Deep Roots in the Charleston Lifestyle

Island Rides aligns beautifully with Charleston’s laid-back elegance. The service is available across several of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods and islands — Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Wild Dunes, Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, and downtown Charleston itself.  

In a region where golf carts and side-by-side vehicles are more than just novelty — they are real ways to connect communities — Island Rides adds a layer of sophistication and utility. The LSVs allow visitors and locals alike to navigate narrow roads, historic neighborhoods, and waterfront stretches in style, all while honoring the slower, more deliberate pace that makes Charleston so distinctive.

Moreover, the family-owned nature of the business reflects Charleston’s deeply rooted sense of community. Paula and Joe’s commitment to customer satisfaction, personal service, and sustainable mobility has resonated with both long-time residents and first-time visitors. Their Mount Pleasant headquarters (at 488 La Mesa Road) serves not only as a showroom, but as a touchpoint for customizing carts, scheduling service, or buying an LSV outright.  

Beyond Rentals: A Broader Vision

While rentals make up around 85% of Island Rides’ business, sales and long-term ownership are integral to its model.   The company also offers service and maintenance and even retrofits traditional lead-acid battery carts with lighter, more efficient lithium batteries.   As the Gilchrists plan to expand — including a proposed 15,000-square-foot facility in Mount Pleasant for greater inventory and operations — their vision remains firmly rooted in the Charleston way of life.  

Impact on the Lowcountry

In a city where heritage and innovation dance together under moss-laden oaks, Island Rides represents a modern twist on classic Southern hospitality. It’s not just about getting from A to B — it’s about savoring the journey, feeling the breeze off the water, and connecting with the spirit of Charleston. By integrating luxurious, eco-friendly vehicles with a seamless, delivery-based rental model, the Gilchrists have filled a niche that feels uniquely local and deeply personal.

Island Rides is more than a business — it’s a reflection of the Lowcountry’s character: welcoming, elegant, community-oriented, and connected to its roots. For visitors who want to explore Charleston’s islands in style, or locals looking for a greener, more charming way to get around, Island Rides is now part of the city’s unfolding story.

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