For you guys who have done a Rose Bowl trip in the past, what are the logistics?

[RollTide-YNWA]

Sounds like the granddaddy of them all has a case of cirrhosis, arthritis, osteoporosis, COPD, and BPH, all wrapped into one.

 

[bamamc1]

Went out there for the Texas National Championship game. Flew into Vegas and drove out to Pasadena for the game and back to Vagas. It's a 4-hour drive, but I had liked the Rose Bowl. Went and saw the sites in Vegas and went out to the Hoover Dam. The streets will be block off close to the Rose Bowl and if I recall they block the streets off about a mile from the stadium and they block them off about 6 hours before the game. We had a friend who had an aunt and uncle who live 1/4 mile from the stadium. We stayed at a Wyndom in Vegas. Flights are cheaper going into Vegas.

Did you go on the dam tour?

 

[bamaee04]

We went in 2009 (well 2010 for the NC game), and we're going again. We're staying in Las Vegas and driving over for the game and then back to Vegas. This will be a long road trip, even longer than the one to Glendale, AZ for the 2016 NC which we drove as well. Easier to find a cheap and nice hotel room in Vegas and not bad for those flying either. RTR!

If they aren't sold out, you may be able to get the direct flight(s) on Southwest to LAS from Nashville...

 

[The Ols]

Did you go on the dam tour?

Language!?!?

 

[BamaNation]

I've attended many Rose Bowls, thanks to my USC family...
1) The Rose Bowl is in the middle of residential neighborhoods and a golf course, all within a canyon. Aside from whatever temporary/expensive setup the bowl committee brings in, there are not any walkable/convenient areas for food until the stadium gates open up. We've mitigated this by buying coolers, even styrofoam ones, pack with ice and deli sandwiches, and got there when we needed to.
2) Related to #1, the city of Pasadena has free transit to/from the Rose Bowl, before/after the game. I've found it to be a good alternative to driving to the stadium
3) Kickoff is at 1PM. It is easy to go to the parade that morning, get something to eat away from the stadium, and then drive/transit in.
4) In my experience, there isn't a bad seat in the stadium. Look for the large bronze plaques on the wall of every game played at the stadium for the Rose Bowl game. Also, it is incredibly easy to find a place where the Rose Bowl marquee is and watch the teams get off their busses and walk into the stadium.
5) Weather is usually amazing on New Year's Day. Prepare for 60s-70s and lots of sunshine during the day, and temps dropping into the high 40s at night. It's a layering up sort of day.

Driving in from outside Pasadena:
It probably is not a direct route from Los Angeles/Santa Monica/Long Beach, but y'all will want to consider driving in from the east on I-210 W. It's Los Angeles so traffic will be there no matter what. But I've found it to be less traffic than driving in from the west on gamedays at the Rose Bowl.

@CaliforniaTide : Next time I go, I want to go with you

 

[CaliforniaTide]

We went in 2009 (well 2010 for the NC game), and we're going again. We're staying in Las Vegas and driving over for the game and then back to Vegas. This will be a long road trip, even longer than the one to Glendale, AZ for the 2016 NC which we drove as well. Easier to find a cheap and nice hotel room in Vegas and not bad for those flying either. RTR!

If they aren't sold out, you may be able to get the direct flight(s) on Southwest to LAS from Nashville...

We're flying in/out of Burbank from Nashville. It's not direct, but it works. I'd also seen Birmingham-LA direct round trip on American. I don't know if that's now a regular or seasonal route for American, but it was the first I've seen that.

 

[RTRinBR]

It is a bucket list for sure, yes its old but that is part of the charm. Went to Bama/Michigan playoff game. Only advice I can give is you can Uber in but don't plan on getting one back out.

Have fun!

 

[jashleyren2]

I went in 2000 for the UCLA debacle. There was no pancake posse to be found.

Anyway, stayed in Marina Del Rey, and I always stay in MDR when I'm out there since then, because it reminds me a tiny bit of where I live now in Destin, FL.

Anyway, I think a better place to stay would be Pasadena. A good buddy of mine lives over there, and he was the only guy on our high school football team who also participated in high school drama/theater.

He did well for a number of years as frequent guest on General Hospital. When I go out, I still stay in MDR, but I might drive up or down or right from the coast to hit the spots I want to.

 

[saturdaysarebet]

I did the Rose Bowl parade too which I was glad I did. I got there early and took in as much as I could that day. I flew into Las Vegas as it was much cheaper than flying into LAX or one of the other nearby airports. The stadium is old and lacks so many amenities but it's iconic and the view can be spectacular.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

The parking situation is a DISASTER!! Get there earlier than you think you should it takes FOREVER to get in both parking and the stadium. I went for the NCG vs Texas and the Michigan game 2 years ago.

 

[dvil doc]

Son was stationed in SoCal for five years (is back on the east coast now) and went to the Rose Bowl two years ago. He's familiar with the logistics, fortunately. He spent his 1776 money on these tickets, the flight, and two nights at the LAX Hilton for us.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

Heads up for those driving into the stadium - it will be muddy with all of the cars coming in and parking on the golf course. Maybe the Rose Bowl committee has chemtrails to shoot up on the day of the game to disperse the rain.

 

[Joefus]

The parking situation is a DISASTER!! Get there earlier than you think you should it takes FOREVER to get in both parking and the stadium. I went for the NCG vs Texas and the Michigan game 2 years ago.

It literally couldn’t be worse. The trick is know someone walking distance and parking in front of their house. My fiance’s parents live a couple of blocks away and we park in front of their house. It’s still awful but much better than parking there or taking an uber.

 

[bamaga]

Heads up for those driving into the stadium - it will be muddy with all of the cars coming in and parking on the golf course. Maybe the Rose Bowl committee has chemtrails to shoot up on the day of the game to disperse the rain.

Yeah, if California needs help with droughts and wildfires in the future, invite Alabama to play a football game. That’ll do the trick! 100% of rain on Thursday

 

[CaliforniaTide]

It literally couldn’t be worse. The trick is know someone walking distance and parking in front of their house. My fiance’s parents live a couple of blocks away and we park in front of their house. It’s still awful but much better than parking there or taking an uber.

You can also take the free Foothill Transit Rose Bowl shuttle from downtown Pasadena to the stadium and back. Busses remain running until 90 minutes after the game ends.