Rose Bowl tailgate plans without tickets
Haven't seen a general post on this yet. I'm going to the Rose Bowl and a couple friends and I are trying to figure out plans pre-game from like 10am to 1pm local time before the 2pm game. Is there a bar or hotel near the stadium, or just a part of the Rose Bowl parking lot, or other meeting spot that Michigan fans will be gathering at pre-game? I know there were tickets sold to a tailgate, but I didn't get those in time so I'm looking for something outside of that.
Also, same question for after the game. Hopefully we'll be celebrating a big win and watching the Sugar Bowl to see who we play next.
December 24th, 2023 at 1:39 AM ^
There is no bar in the immediate area (although, there will likely be outside concessions). It is literally in the middle of a golf course, which is surrounded by neighborhoods. My suggestion would be to gather at one of the UM bars in the area if you don't have a ticket.
PS: The whole Pasadena area will likely be a mess.There will be a massive parade happening throughout the city too. Avoid the area if you can.
December 24th, 2023 at 2:59 AM ^
Indeed. I went for the ‘98 game, and despite every effort I was unable to get a ticket in advance. I thought I could just buy from a scalper outside but there were NO tickets being sold and tons of Michigan fans looking to buy.
And I was especially anxious because there was no public place with a TV for miles. I was likely to miss the first half in search of one.
My friend who was also looking had a different idea. Instead of wandering around the grounds he asked at the loooong line of cars on their way in, and found one with members of the Pasadena City Council who had an extra ticket. He got it at face value.
So I tried the same and was able to find a guy selling at a high but not exhorbitant price. The ticket turned out to be fake(!) but I managed to use it to weasel my way in.
In sum, get a better plan than 22-year-old me had.
December 24th, 2023 at 4:02 AM ^
[He] found one with members of the Pasadena City Council who had an extra ticket. He got it at face value
Yeah, that's graft right there. This is pretty much how the Teapot Dome scandal started. Your friend is in big, big trouble.
December 24th, 2023 at 7:55 AM ^
Was a bogus City Council, too. If you see two brawling clans of guys in plaid jackets and khakis, you'll know they're at it again.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
And then it happened……the Vast Network was created!
December 24th, 2023 at 9:23 AM ^
I was at the 2007 and it was actually the complete opposite. There were so many tickets flying around and everyone already had tickets that I actually bought a much better ticket for $15 right before game time. Pretty much giving them away.
December 24th, 2023 at 4:14 AM ^
They added another watch location in Old Pasadena. Here’s an updated link.
According to UMAA LA’s socials, Baja Sharkeez opens at 9am, Jalapeño Pete’s at 12pm. Q’s (Brentwood) at 11am, and Q’s (Pasadena) at around 10am (once the parade traffic thins out in front). Those events are free to attend, and will be going until the game is over.
December 24th, 2023 at 3:41 AM ^
To be clear, we have tickets to the game, just not to a tailgate. I’m looking to tailgate somewhere walkable to the game, since I imagine ubering there just before will be impossible
December 24th, 2023 at 4:17 AM ^
Q's - Old Pasadena (Added for the Rose Bowl!) 99 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
This is probably your best bet. Uber down to the area right after the parade clears out, or take the metro into Old Town from a few stops away.
This Q’s is really close to the rose bowl shuttle pick-up, or a 1.8 mile walk to the stadium.
December 24th, 2023 at 5:23 AM ^
To be clear, we have a tickets to the game, just not to a tailgate
Lol. Yeah, that was NOT apparent from the OP! Now the OP makes sense to me. Wondered why you’d risk getting stuck in parking lot just to tailgate!
December 24th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
I understood what you were saying and that you have tickets. Bars are too far away and the traffic coming in is horrible.
Get to the stadium parking area by 11am.
First be very recognizable that you are a Wolverine.
I would buy a couple of six packs of beer and some munchies before you get to the stadium. Alcoholic beverages are available outside the stadium at concession stands. A 16oz can of beer will be about $14.
Next mosey around the tailgate area in a friendly and excited mood. Sooner or later you'll run into some friendly boisterous Michigan fans who will invite you to join their tailgate. This is where the six packs of beer come in handy again because you don't want to come across as a mooch.
Enjoy the tailgate and make new friends.
Go Blue. Just Win.
PS I went to Jerry's World back when Michigan played Alabama in Arlington. My friend and I tickets but no tailgate plans. The Alabama fans could not have been more cordial and inviting. We hit a few of their little tailgate parties. Didn't overstay our welcome at any one.
The Alabama fans were certain they were going to win, had no animosity towards us, and almost felt sorry for us. Things may be a bit different with Signgate but I'm sure they believe they will win. That's not bad because it puts them in a generous mood.
Also, I'm going to the game but I'll be in a restricted area otherwise I'd invite you.
December 24th, 2023 at 7:50 AM ^
I haven't been to the Rose Bowl in 35 years but I think we had a picnic on the grounds outside the stadium. There were a lot of people there.
December 24th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
My grandson and I are in the same boat. I was going to make a similar post as yours in a few days. We have a parking pass for the general parking lots. One thing I have found in researching the parking situation is that it is highly recommended that you park either before 10 or after 11:30 because in between those times the exiting Rose Parade traffic will be horrible.
December 24th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
I had a similar plan for the Texas vs. USC game of the century at the Rose Bowl 20 years ago. There really isn't a way to have your cake and eat it too, no real way to tailgate then hit a bar to watch the game. Best bet is to just bring a TV and stream the game from the tailgate.
December 24th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
Because of the huge number of people at The Rose Bowl it's difficult to get an internet connection. I advise anyone who has to show their digital ticket (which is most people) to download their ticket before they get near the stadium. I was with a bunch of people at The Rose Bowl who didn't download their tickets and couldn't get a connection no matter what they did.
I saw a traffic/security guy and asked him if there was a spot that was better for a connection. He pointed me to a corner of the whole area and said there's a cell phone tower over there. I walked about ten people towards it. When we got about 150 yards from it all our phones started dinging getting texts and emails. Everyone was able to get their tickets at that point.
Not sure if it will be better now but I wouldn't feel great about streaming a game in the parking lot.
December 24th, 2023 at 3:20 PM ^
Baja Sharkeez will be crazy. It was packed for Penn State and I couldn't watch the game well. I even got there early and still was a challenge.
December 24th, 2023 at 4:50 PM ^
From the Rose Bowl website: "A free and open to the public fanfest takes place on game day beginning at 8:00 AM. Activities include interactive game, music, TV’s and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase."
December 25th, 2023 at 2:40 AM ^
Weird that is says that but doesn’t say where the fan fest is located. Anyone know?
December 25th, 2023 at 2:13 PM ^
If you look at the parking map, you'll see that Fan Fest is just to the north of the stadium. Parking Lot 1 is north of that, and it's east of Parking Lot 6.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
The absolute best way to get into Old Town Pasadena is to take the Metro Gold line train either from the west (DTLA) or east (Arcadia/Monrovia). Then either walk down to the Rose Bowl or take the shuttle. As the Rose Bowl site notes there will be food and other events outside the stadium and I’m sure many tailgates. If you go early you should be able to find food in Old Town Pasadena and even possibly within a crowd catch the parade. Reverse after the game up back into Ild Town.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^
For people who have game tickets and parking passes, why are you not tailgating at your cars?
There is no bar within 1.5 miles of the Rose Bowl stadium. It is down in a canyon. There is a shuttle bus but no Ubers are allowed into the canyon without paying the parking fee.
December 25th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
On a (somewhat) related note: any driving tips? Heading up from San Diego same day and trains seem like they’ll be cutting it close to game time. Was hoping to drive and park by a metro link station then train and walk the rest but not clear where best to park or how to get there. Thinking union station in LA.
December 25th, 2023 at 1:50 PM ^
Drive. Pre-pay for parking at Rose Bowl. Arrive early. Watch Michigan win. Drive home.
December 28th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
Good morning and Go Blue! Looking to purchase 2 tickets to the alumni tailgate, anyone have a sudden change in plans? Class of 90 attending our first Rose Bowl.