Some questions (and answers/opinions) on Rose Bowl/Parade/Pasadena

[djmccaslin]

I've tried to answer questions/share my opinion of feedback in the other Rose Bowl related discussion threads in the past week but might be easier to post some stuff here and share my email for questions.

Background: my wife (also PSU alum) and I have lived in Pasadena for past 12 years. We live towards the end of the parade route--a few blocks away. We may have two extra tickets available, I'll know for sure in a few days. We may have parade tickets but won't know until end of this coming week. I've already been asked--sorry, parking at my place is limited and may not be ideal (you'd have to Uber from here since it's too far to walk).

• Parking:
  • Rose Bowl used to discourage parking at the stadium because its limited and can be a pain to get in and out of.
  • If it rains, they will not park on the golf courses around the stadium which means they will do street parking which would be a friggin nightmare.
  • If you are going to do the parade along with the game, Parsons would be a good option. They will have a fleet of shuttles from Parsons to the stadium though you could also walk from Old Town.
  • Parking far enough away and using Uber is a good option. You will just have to be patient--especially after the game. Walk back to Old Town from the game, have a beer, then request an Uber.
• Parade:
  • Is it worth it? I'm not a parade person but if you've never done it, yes, it's quite the show.
  • If you are going to do it, grandstand seats are great to sit and relax and watch it. They do recommend you are in your seats by/around 6:30am (parade starts at 8am).
  • If you dont have tickets to grandstand seats, you can stand and watch though that's lots of standing. There is a tradition to camp out along the parade route to ensure a front row spot but do you really want to camp out along the street and then go to the game afterwards?
  • If you are towards the beginning of the parade route, it will be done around 10ish so you'll have some time before you need to get to the stadium. Game is at 2p but going through gates, seeing pre-game activities, you should be in your seat by 1p.
  • If you are in the area the day after, you can go up to the end of the parade route, and walk amongst the floats and see them up close to see all the amazing details.
• Pep rally/PSU hotel - totally based on last trip so no guarantees it will be the same this year
  • Team/official hotel is JW Marriott at LA Live
  • Pep rally was January 1st at LA Live
• Stuff to do:
  • This is totally dependent on where your base is going to be. My wife and I are somewhat homebodies so we usually go out to dinner, breweries, shop in/around Pasadena.
    • South Lake Avenue area has some good restaurants (Gaucho Grill, Magnolia House, Granville, Pie and Burger).
    • Old Town also has some good restaurants (Craft is one of my favorites).
    • Looks at Union Street in Old Town, some great food options there.
    • As far as bars/breweries in Pasadena, I'd recommend these: Congregation, Der Wolf, Barney's, Blind Donkey, King's Row, Lucky Baldwin's Rocco's, etc.
  • Outside of Pasadena, this is where my advice wavers.
    • Depending on budget and time, there is Disneyland or at least Downtown Disney (restaurants/shopping).
    • Universal Studios/Universal Studios CityWalk
    • Academy Museum (Oscars) - just opened in the past year. If you are a movie fan, this is the place to go.
    • Grammy Museum (near LA Live) - like the Academy Museum but for music
    • Santa Monica Pier (cliche yes but still cool if you've never been there)

Again, much of this are my opinions so take them with a grain of salt. I'm happy to answer any more questions you have: [email protected].

 

[PSUFBFAN]

I've tried to answer questions/share my opinion of feedback in the other Rose Bowl related discussion threads in the past week but might be easier to post some stuff here and share my email for questions.

Background: my wife (also PSU alum) and I have lived in Pasadena for past 12 years. We live towards the end of the parade route--a few blocks away. We may have two extra tickets available, I'll know for sure in a few days. We may have parade tickets but won't know until end of this coming week. I've already been asked--sorry, parking at my place is limited and may not be ideal (you'd have to Uber from here since it's too far to walk).

• Parking:
  • Rose Bowl used to discourage parking at the stadium because its limited and can be a pain to get in and out of.
  • If it rains, they will not park on the golf courses around the stadium which means they will do street parking which would be a friggin nightmare.
  • If you are going to do the parade along with the game, Parsons would be a good option. They will have a fleet of shuttles from Parsons to the stadium though you could also walk from Old Town.
  • Parking far enough away and using Uber is a good option. You will just have to be patient--especially after the game. Walk back to Old Town from the game, have a beer, then request an Uber.
• Parade:
  • Is it worth it? I'm not a parade person but if you've never done it, yes, it's quite the show.
  • If you are going to do it, grandstand seats are great to sit and relax and watch it. They do recommend you are in your seats by/around 6:30am (parade starts at 8am).
  • If you dont have tickets to grandstand seats, you can stand and watch though that's lots of standing. There is a tradition to camp out along the parade route to ensure a front row spot but do you really want to camp out along the street and then go to the game afterwards?
  • If you are towards the beginning of the parade route, it will be done around 10ish so you'll have some time before you need to get to the stadium. Game is at 2p but going through gates, seeing pre-game activities, you should be in your seat by 1p.
  • If you are in the area the day after, you can go up to the end of the parade route, and walk amongst the floats and see them up close to see all the amazing details.
• Pep rally/PSU hotel - totally based on last trip so no guarantees it will be the same this year
  • Team/official hotel is JW Marriott at LA Live
  • Pep rally was January 1st at LA Live
• Stuff to do:
  • This is totally dependent on where your base is going to be. My wife and I are somewhat homebodies so we usually go out to dinner, breweries, shop in/around Pasadena.
    • South Lake Avenue area has some good restaurants (Gaucho Grill, Magnolia House, Granville, Pie and Burger).
    • Old Town also has some good restaurants (Craft is one of my favorites).
    • Looks at Union Street in Old Town, some great food options there.
    • As far as bars/breweries in Pasadena, I'd recommend these: Congregation, Der Wolf, Barney's, Blind Donkey, King's Row, Lucky Baldwin's Rocco's, etc.
  • Outside of Pasadena, this is where my advice wavers.
    • Depending on budget and time, there is Disneyland or at least Downtown Disney (restaurants/shopping).
    • Universal Studios/Universal Studios CityWalk
    • Academy Museum (Oscars) - just opened in the past year. If you are a movie fan, this is the place to go.
    • Grammy Museum (near LA Live) - like the Academy Museum but for music
    • Santa Monica Pier (cliche yes but still cool if you've never been there)

Again, much of this are my opinions so take them with a grain of salt. I'm happy to answer any more questions you have: [email protected].

Great post!

 

[86ed]

Question. I’m staying in Huntington Beach. My plan is to take the Gold Line from Monrovia to the Memorial Park stop in Pasadena. Are there shuttle buses from MP to the stadium? TIA.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

This post should be locked at the top...

 

[Delted00004]

I've tried to answer questions/share my opinion of feedback in the other Rose Bowl related discussion threads in the past week but might be easier to post some stuff here and share my email for questions.

Background: my wife (also PSU alum) and I have lived in Pasadena for past 12 years. We live towards the end of the parade route--a few blocks away. We may have two extra tickets available, I'll know for sure in a few days. We may have parade tickets but won't know until end of this coming week. I've already been asked--sorry, parking at my place is limited and may not be ideal (you'd have to Uber from here since it's too far to walk).

• Parking:
  • Rose Bowl used to discourage parking at the stadium because its limited and can be a pain to get in and out of.
  • If it rains, they will not park on the golf courses around the stadium which means they will do street parking which would be a friggin nightmare.
  • If you are going to do the parade along with the game, Parsons would be a good option. They will have a fleet of shuttles from Parsons to the stadium though you could also walk from Old Town.
  • Parking far enough away and using Uber is a good option. You will just have to be patient--especially after the game. Walk back to Old Town from the game, have a beer, then request an Uber.
• Parade:
  • Is it worth it? I'm not a parade person but if you've never done it, yes, it's quite the show.
  • If you are going to do it, grandstand seats are great to sit and relax and watch it. They do recommend you are in your seats by/around 6:30am (parade starts at 8am).
  • If you dont have tickets to grandstand seats, you can stand and watch though that's lots of standing. There is a tradition to camp out along the parade route to ensure a front row spot but do you really want to camp out along the street and then go to the game afterwards?
  • If you are towards the beginning of the parade route, it will be done around 10ish so you'll have some time before you need to get to the stadium. Game is at 2p but going through gates, seeing pre-game activities, you should be in your seat by 1p.
  • If you are in the area the day after, you can go up to the end of the parade route, and walk amongst the floats and see them up close to see all the amazing details.
• Pep rally/PSU hotel - totally based on last trip so no guarantees it will be the same this year
  • Team/official hotel is JW Marriott at LA Live
  • Pep rally was January 1st at LA Live
• Stuff to do:
  • This is totally dependent on where your base is going to be. My wife and I are somewhat homebodies so we usually go out to dinner, breweries, shop in/around Pasadena.
    • South Lake Avenue area has some good restaurants (Gaucho Grill, Magnolia House, Granville, Pie and Burger).
    • Old Town also has some good restaurants (Craft is one of my favorites).
    • Looks at Union Street in Old Town, some great food options there.
    • As far as bars/breweries in Pasadena, I'd recommend these: Congregation, Der Wolf, Barney's, Blind Donkey, King's Row, Lucky Baldwin's Rocco's, etc.
  • Outside of Pasadena, this is where my advice wavers.
    • Depending on budget and time, there is Disneyland or at least Downtown Disney (restaurants/shopping).
    • Universal Studios/Universal Studios CityWalk
    • Academy Museum (Oscars) - just opened in the past year. If you are a movie fan, this is the place to go.
    • Grammy Museum (near LA Live) - like the Academy Museum but for music
    • Santa Monica Pier (cliche yes but still cool if you've never been there)

Again, much of this are my opinions so take them with a grain of salt. I'm happy to answer any more questions you have: [email protected].

Thanks for the details! We are coming out and will let you know if we have specific questions!

 

[Manofsteel200]

My questions: we are looking at the alumni packages but are not sure it is worth it.

In the packages that alumni association are presenting, they show the pep rally and welcome event as two of the pieces to the package. are these ticketed events?

I realize that the tailgate would be a perk but other than that….meh?

 

[Iionscott]

My questions: we are looking at the alumni packages but are not sure it is worth it.

In the packages that alumni association are presenting, they show the pep rally and welcome event as two of the pieces to the package. are these ticketed events?

I realize that the tailgate would be a perk but other than that….meh?

The pep rally is not a ticketed event. Last time, I stayed at the team hotel, which is the same as this years and pep rally was at LA Live. So, you can walk from hotel..

I would think the welcome reception is just for the people on the tour. Probably will be some type of open bar and appetizers.

i would suggest booking the Courtyard or the Residence Inn, which are both across street from the JW. Their rates are not too bad. The advantage of a tour is they will get you to and from the airport and to and from the game.

its ridiculously over priced. I am secured my own airfare, direct out of Newark and yhen booked the land package with Thompson tours out of Wilkes barre and my cost is about $2600 (that’s flight, game ticket through psu, parade ticket, 4 nights lodging) compared to the $4500 the alumni is charging. The hotel Thompson is using is the Westin, which is about a mile from LA Live. Wish I was a little closer, but the total price and transportation to and from game and airport is what sold me.

 

[WanderingSpectator]

Better to stay in downtown LA after the game or in Pasadena? As it stands, I’m in DTLA on the 1st and Pasadena on the 2nd. The Bills vs Bengals game will be on and I plan on watching it somewhere.

 

[Manofsteel200]

The pep rally is not a ticketed event. Last time, I stayed at the team hotel, which is the same as this years and pep rally was at LA Live. So, you can walk from hotel..

I would think the welcome reception is just for the people on the tour. Probably will be some type of open bar and appetizers.

i would suggest booking the Courtyard or the Residence Inn, which are both across street from the JW. Their rates are not too bad. The advantage of a tour is they will get you to and from the airport and to and from the game.

its ridiculously over priced. I am secured my own airfare, direct out of Newark and yhen booked the land package with Thompson tours out of Wilkes barre and my cost is about $2600 (that’s flight, game ticket through psu, parade ticket, 4 nights lodging) compared to the $4500 the alumni is charging. The hotel Thompson is using is the Westin, which is about a mile from LA Live. Wish I was a little closer, but the total price and transportation to and from game and airport is what sold me.

Thanks! I thought it was too. The pre-game tailgate sound fun, but not for the price.

 

[Bwifan]

I've tried to answer questions/share my opinion of feedback in the other Rose Bowl related discussion threads in the past week but might be easier to post some stuff here and share my email for questions.

Background: my wife (also PSU alum) and I have lived in Pasadena for past 12 years. We live towards the end of the parade route--a few blocks away. We may have two extra tickets available, I'll know for sure in a few days. We may have parade tickets but won't know until end of this coming week. I've already been asked--sorry, parking at my place is limited and may not be ideal (you'd have to Uber from here since it's too far to walk).

• Parking:
  • Rose Bowl used to discourage parking at the stadium because its limited and can be a pain to get in and out of.
  • If it rains, they will not park on the golf courses around the stadium which means they will do street parking which would be a friggin nightmare.
  • If you are going to do the parade along with the game, Parsons would be a good option. They will have a fleet of shuttles from Parsons to the stadium though you could also walk from Old Town.
  • Parking far enough away and using Uber is a good option. You will just have to be patient--especially after the game. Walk back to Old Town from the game, have a beer, then request an Uber.
• Parade:
  • Is it worth it? I'm not a parade person but if you've never done it, yes, it's quite the show.
  • If you are going to do it, grandstand seats are great to sit and relax and watch it. They do recommend you are in your seats by/around 6:30am (parade starts at 8am).
  • If you dont have tickets to grandstand seats, you can stand and watch though that's lots of standing. There is a tradition to camp out along the parade route to ensure a front row spot but do you really want to camp out along the street and then go to the game afterwards?
  • If you are towards the beginning of the parade route, it will be done around 10ish so you'll have some time before you need to get to the stadium. Game is at 2p but going through gates, seeing pre-game activities, you should be in your seat by 1p.
  • If you are in the area the day after, you can go up to the end of the parade route, and walk amongst the floats and see them up close to see all the amazing details.
• Pep rally/PSU hotel - totally based on last trip so no guarantees it will be the same this year
  • Team/official hotel is JW Marriott at LA Live
  • Pep rally was January 1st at LA Live
• Stuff to do:
  • This is totally dependent on where your base is going to be. My wife and I are somewhat homebodies so we usually go out to dinner, breweries, shop in/around Pasadena.
    • South Lake Avenue area has some good restaurants (Gaucho Grill, Magnolia House, Granville, Pie and Burger).
    • Old Town also has some good restaurants (Craft is one of my favorites).
    • Looks at Union Street in Old Town, some great food options there.
    • As far as bars/breweries in Pasadena, I'd recommend these: Congregation, Der Wolf, Barney's, Blind Donkey, King's Row, Lucky Baldwin's Rocco's, etc.
  • Outside of Pasadena, this is where my advice wavers.
    • Depending on budget and time, there is Disneyland or at least Downtown Disney (restaurants/shopping).
    • Universal Studios/Universal Studios CityWalk
    • Academy Museum (Oscars) - just opened in the past year. If you are a movie fan, this is the place to go.
    • Grammy Museum (near LA Live) - like the Academy Museum but for music
    • Santa Monica Pier (cliche yes but still cool if you've never been there)

Again, much of this are my opinions so take them with a grain of salt. I'm happy to answer any more questions you have: [email protected].

Great Post ... I knew there was someone on the board that lived right there and has always given great details on the parade and game.

 

[djmccaslin]

My questions: we are looking at the alumni packages but are not sure it is worth it.

In the packages that alumni association are presenting, they show the pep rally and welcome event as two of the pieces to the package. are these ticketed events?

I realize that the tailgate would be a perk but other than that….meh?

Pep rally isn't ticketed. Can't speak about the welcome event that's a part of the package but the local alumni association chapter typically does a welcome event at the bowl. Been to the one at the Fiesta and Cotton. There were not costs to attend but you had to pay for your own drinks/food.

My wife and I are members of the LA chapter though not active. I did reach out to them and they are planning something.

 

[djmccaslin]

Better to stay in downtown LA after the game or in Pasadena? As it stands, I’m in DTLA on the 1st and Pasadena on the 2nd. The Bills vs Bengals game will be on and I plan on watching it somewhere.

Not sure. Might be nice to head to Old Town Pasadena or Lake Ave area for food or drinks after the game. Plenty of places will have the game on. Yardhouse on Colorado could be a good place--good beer and food. Slater's 50/50 as well.

 

[LionJim]

Bump

 

[LionJim]

Can we pin this already?

 

[NittPicker]

For those of you who don't plan to attend all the PSU sponsored events, the Chargers and Rams play at SoFi on Jan. 1st at 5:20 PM local time. The Chargers may or may not make the playoffs and the Rams are having a horrible season. There are plenty of reasonably priced seats available on Ticketmaster and there could be a lot more as the game draws closer. I don't care about either team but would go to the game simply to watch a bit, check out the stadium, leave at halftime, and still have most of the evening free.

 

[StamfordBridgeVikingatLeftOffensiveTackle]

bump