Rose Bowl Trip
 

We are going to go the Rose Bowl and would love some help with plnning our trip. We went last year and everyone was a great help so I thought I would try again. We are getting there Monday afternoon and leaving on Thursday and we are staying at the LAX Marriott.

I looked back at the ideas everyone gave me last year and I think that we will follow Rjw_lgb_ca’s advice and Monday afternoon go to Santa Monica and then stop in Marina del Rey for dinner on the way back to the hotel. The dinner suggestions from last year that look good are: Tony P’s and the Warehouse. Any other ideas on where to go? We don’t care for seafood but anything else is good.

I would like to do a studio tour on Tuesday morning and since my husband is not big on theme parks I think he might enjoy Warner Bros. studio tour over Universal Studios. But then I don’t have any idea on what to do for lunch or for the rest of the day. We have been to Hollywood and Rodeo Drive before so I think I would like to see something new. Then that night we might go back to Fonz’s in Manhatten Beach for dinner, IVK suggested that last year and we had a great time – Mama D’s was also mentioned so maybe we should try something new.

The game is on Wed. at 5:00 and I am sure with traffic we will have to leave early afternoon to drive to Pasadena. Any ideas what we can do Wed. morning or should we go really early to Pasadena and do stuff there?

We leave at 5:00 p.m. on Thrusday so any suggestions for breakfast or lunch before we head to the airport would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

We went to the Rose Bowl the last time it was the National Championship game and it was a zoo. Do try to be in the Pasadena Area by 1 PM at the latest. We were there by 1:30 PM and were still in line waiting to get in (in long lines snaking thru the golf course, etc.) when the game started at 5 PM. Once you get it in, it is fun, but the long wait is terrible. They only had a few gates open because of Security so hope they have more opened this year. Have fun!!

Cali:

Thanks for the tip. Had you already parked your car and you had to wait to get into the stadium or did you have to wait all that time to get into the area to park?

Just curious how you got tickets....

Hi dogcrazy,

Glad some of my suggestions paid off for you last year. :) I looked over that thread and most MB restaurants still apply. However, I have heard that Talia's has gone downhill, so I'd cross that off your list. There is also a new restaurant which is getting raves- Avenue, right next door to Mama D's. I haven't tried it yet, but my friends who have tell me it is great. Reservations are hard to get, though, especially around the holidays.

Mama D's, by the way, is a very tiny, casual Italian place. If you are looking for fine dining, this wouldn't be the place.

Have a great time!

Just have to say, "Hook 'em Horns!"

Just have to say, "Hook 'em Horns!"

Schoolmarm above: I ditto your sentiments. Go Horns!

When is the Rose Parade this year? If it occurs while you are there, going to see it might be an option for something to do. We went last year and really enjoyed it. Try to get to some of the float preparation areas a day or 2 before the parade and watch them work on the floats.

Do Warner Bros. if your SH isn't into theme parks.

What's your budget for places to eat?? Are you looking for casual or fancy schmancy??

Hi Dogcrazy. Yes, we had parked our car already and it took that long just standing in line. We had to park at Ralph M. Parson's in Old Town and they had buses to take you to the Rose Bowl but we walked as the bus lines were long too. Weather was nice so it wasn't too bad. This was the year of 9-11 so think the security was the worst that year as they weren't sure what to do - in the end they just opened the gates and let everyone in when they could see no one was in and the game was starting. Hope it has improved since then. We are also going again this year so I am hoping for the best. The Rose Parade is not the same day - it is on Jan. 2nd this year. Have a great time even if you have to wait in lines - we are planning on having fun. Go Trojans!!

Go Horns.

Hoping the MIL gives me her tix to the Rose Bowl. If we get, I will definitely be asking for help.

Enjoy the game.

Go Horns!!

Thanks for all of the information. As far as our budget goes, we are pretty flexible and like both fine dining and casual. My only concern about fine dining is if we are out and about we might want to stop off at dinner on the way back to the hotel and we might not be dressed for fine dining.

We have applied for tickets to the game and are keeping our fingers crossed that we get them. If not I guess we will have to look elsewhere – and then in that case really cheap dining will be all that we can afford!

I looked at the Warner Bros. website and you can’t order tickets ahead of time, does anyone know if you need to get there really early in the day for tickets?

Thanks again.

At least you should have pleasant weather and a fun trip. The Trojans will win the game, though!

Fight on! USC.

I'm an alum of USC (in case you couldn't guess) and I was referred to stubhub!

Decided against the trip.

I do second the advise of going to the Rose Parade. The floats are spectacular.

Since you are getting in Monday aft., you will miss the parade. However, you can view the floats up close on Tuesday, 1/3.
http://www.tournamentofroses.com/events/showcase.asp

I actually preferred this over actually attending the parade. (No marching bands or equestrian acts, though)

Hey Barbara,

Don't be so sure about USC! If the Horns can do something about Reggie Bush I think they could win. Have a great time dogcrazy, we'll be cheering Texas on in front of the good old TV.

Ah, but it isn't only Reggie Bush, there's a whole team they have to get past.