The Rose Bowl - Tailgating at the Grand-Daddy

It starts in early November when there is still so much to play for - the heated debate as to whether the College Football post-season should be through bowls, playoff, or both. Regardless, the Rose Bowl defines the post-season, and a tour through the bowl destinations should start here. As big as the game is, the parade, the sprawling metropolis, and the coastal landscape compliment this unique experience.

There is so much to do in the L.A. area, you likely wont get in all that you want to. Hollywood, Newport Beach, mountain drives to the south and north of the city, Disneyland, and the Santa Monica Pier (which typically hosts team pep rallies before the game), would top the list of places to check out.


Along with the game comes the parade. Even if you are not into parades, this one is still one that should be incorporated as part of the gameday experience. If you want grandstand seating, tickets can be purchased from the Sharp Seating Company for prices ranging from $53-85 and are usually available up until the day before the game. You shoul plan to arrive a couple of hours before the start of the parade so you have enough time to manage through traffic, find parking, and get to your seats. If you want to go with the free, general public strategy, you will probably want to leave a little earlier to get your preferred seating. The further west you are along the route, the more time you will leave for pre-game tailgating. You can park for free north of I-210 on many of the residential side streets, which is about a 10-20 minute walk to the parade road.



The parade is roughly 2 hours, which leaves about 3 hours for tailgating before the game. Just south of the stadium (and northwest of Piedmont and Seco streets) there is parking for $25. To get this parking option, you will want to be efficient going from the parade to the stadium as there are not many ways into the Rose Bowl grounds, so traffic gets backed up - but what do you expect, it is L.A. There are also likely a few more formal team tailgates set up if you dont want to bring a vehicle onto the grounds. Parking options if you choose to do this may be best found just east of the stadium between I-210 and Fair Oaks Ave, and Hammond and Mountain streets. This is about a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium.

Once inside the grounds, the tailgate area is to the south of the stadium and you can't miss the sprawling grasslands that become filled in with grills, meat, and team colors. You will want to leave at least a half hour before the pre-kick flyover to getto your seats, as there are only a few gate entries, and space inside the concourse is pretty limited and can get filled up quite quickly. The game itself is sure to provide a passionate fan base which can often be dominated by the Pac-10 crowd.



Hotels in and around Pasadena are limted to Monrovia, Arcadia, Glendale, and Burbank may provide a further, yet cheaper option. With so much to do, a map and attraction guide would be a must.

You dont have to be a fan of a Pac-10 or Big 10 school to attend this event. You simply have to be a fan of football to enjoy all of the history, tradition, and pageantry of the Tournament of Roses and Parade.