Juan Carlos

I'm thinking of booking at the Wyndham in Commerce for the Rose Parade/Bowl activities. Any comments?

angeleno

Commerce is a pretty dull place, the only thing there are some shopping outlets and Steven's Steak House for salsa dancing, nor is it particularly close to Pasadena. There are plenty of hotels in Pasadena itself, if they're all booked up, try Glendale or Burbank - there are lots of restaurants and other things to do in the evenings.

janis

I have stayed at the Commerce wyndham several times when one of our field offices was nearby. The hotel is nice and it is a safe block walk from the Citadel outlet mall. (The Citadel is not a large mall).

The Wyndham is not in a "nice" area - basically light industrial. And it is not near Pasadena - but there is an easy route straight north to Pasadena on surface streets w/o the Freeway traffic. If you are combining anything else - say Disneyland or Santa Monica or the beaches, the Wyndham might not actually be such a bad choice since it is right on I-5 and you can get anywhere from there.

But, if you are only going to Pasadena you can do better.

Dave

Glendale or Burbank is much better than Commerce. Or even something in the west valley area, like Studio City.

kam

If you can't book a hotel in Pasadena for the Rose Parade/Rose Bowl then look at the Burbank Hilton. If not there, then go downtown to the Biltmore etc. which is a straight shot up the Pasadena Freeway. You'll just need to get a very early start. Don't stay in Commerce!

karla

I've worked for a tour operator that ran a Rose Parade tour for many years and highly recommend staying down in Orange County. Do not attempt to stay to close to the Pasadena area as the crowds are enourmous and the costs are high. And, no matter where you stay, you'll still have to get up early to get to the parade. Orange County gives you a lot of non parade options as well. Try Long Beach, Santa Ana etc.

kj

Do not stay in Commerce. You will be disappointed. I live near Pasadena and worked there for years. It is nice, but crazy with tourists during the Rose Bowl.
Glendale or Burbank are very good options and much nicer/closer than Commerce.
Also check Eagle Rock, which is a small part of L.A. in between Glendale and Pasadena. From there, you can take a public bus to the Rose Bowl, which is better than trying to park there!

Nancy

Juan, Commerce doesn't have much going for it other the the Citadel outlet mall (small), but it is right off the Interstate where you can jump right on and head north and south and the Long Beach Freeway will take you to the Five which will take you to Pasadena Freeway. (apx 1/2 to Pasadena on a good day). You will be very much away from the crowds if you stay there but you will be freeway close to downtown LA, etc. It is a nice hotel. So for freeway access I would say stay there, but if you want to be in the action stay closer to Pasadena. The area isn't bad, but not much going on either, you will have to drive to restaurants.

kam

I just think that going to the Rose Bowl and staying in Orange CO. or in Commerce is like not going to the Rose Parade at all. It's fun to make a reservation for New Year's Eve for an early dinner near Colorado Blvd and watch the crowds gather then walk around to see what the kids are throwing at the cars this year. Also fun to go down to the Rose Bowl to watch the last touches being put on the floats. The Rose Parade is an incredible experience, not just a 3 mile parade. You need to be closer to enjoy the ambience. Either stay downtown, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, or Arcadia near the race track there's lots of places.