re: UCLA Game where To Stay?

Looking at overhead pics, the parking area is much smaller than LSUs. I know the freeways can get in LA get bad but the Rose Bowl area itself doesn’t seem very intimidating. Maybe I am misjudging the exits out of the area.

Fly into Burbank. I see you're DFW based and Southwest/American have daily direct flights. Closer to downtown LA, Pasadena and the Rose Bowl

My crew and I are staying at the JW Marriott L.A. Live and taking the tram from Union Station

Trying to decide if we should stay downtown, in Hollywood, or up in Pasadena. Transit options from Hollywood and downtown LA both seem to be about an hour by light rail. Have some great hotel options in Hollywood/Downtown. Not so much in Pasadena.

This is awesome info, thanks!

Hey everyone, UCLA fan here, I'm really excited for this game and hope a bunch of you decide to make the trip. Just wanted to give some info about this for those who are unfamiliar with the Rose Bowl.

Hotels: If you are looking for more reasonable rates try some hotels in surrounding cities like Glendale, Arcadia, or Monrovia. These are all within a 20 minute drive of the Rose Bowl and shouldn't be as fully booked as I'm sure most Pasadena hotels will be. If you're staying a bit longer I would suggest what some are doing and stay at least a few days in Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach, great places to hang out and have dinner or drinks when you're not going to the game.

Tailgating: In my opinion, the Rose Bowl has some of the most underrated tailgating in the country. Lot H south of the bowl opens up 6 hours before game time and is the best atmosphere for tailgating, it's densely packed with rows of cars and generally has the most elaborate setups. There is a large fair-like area to the east of the bowl with food vendors and merch stores. To the north is Brookside golf course which is more spaced out and laid back and is great if you want a more relaxing type of tailgate in the trees.

I would highly recommend tailgating at the bowl rather than Old Town Pasadena, you kind of miss the experience if you're just sitting in a bar, and the setting of the Rose Bowl is a unique experience compared to most other college stadiums. If you want to watch other college games during the day there are plenty of tailgates with TVs set up at the bowl. The bars in Old Town do fill up after the game so there is still plenty of opportunity to check that out once it's over, it's about a mile walk from the stadium.

Another option is the golf course clubhouse, the road team typically has a sponsored alumni party/tailgate there on the north side of the bowl, and it's a short walk to the stadium.

The traffic situation can get bad, especially on the golf course side, so I would recommend coming early and parking in a lot on the south end if you want to avoid waiting an hour to exit, typically it only take 10 minutes or so to get out on the south side.

It's been 2 long years since we had one of these so I'm really looking forward to it

Bruin2010

Appreciate the info. Really looking forward to the trip. I'm in the West so not as far as others, but Rose Bowl is definitely on my bucket list.

Anyone staying at the Pasadena Sheraton needs to check with Sheraton reservations. I had reservations there and tried to call the hotel to check on local transportation. Could never get through to the hotel. I called Sheraton reservations and was told that the Pasadena Sheraton was closed due to COVID and would not open until January 2022. Had to change hotels. Just passing along what I was told.

Westin in Pasadena is good.

Langham hotel in Pasadena is good.

Depends on budget. Pasadena is a nice area and out of the hustle and bustle of L.A., but is 20 minutes away from downtown if you want to put yourself through that. Old town Pasadena is a really chill area and has lots of classy establishments.

Do NOT STAY ON THE WEST SIDE. You’ll never make it to the stadium.