Budget Travel Tips for the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA

There are many budget travel tips for Bowl College Championship (BCS) fans traveling to Pasadena, California for the Rose Bowl. College football, the Los Angeles area community of Pasadena, and budget travel can make for a fulfilling Rose Bowl experience.

TRANSPORTATION

If you are coming from another part of the country, airlines are usually the best bet. With decreasing gas prices, airfare should come down as well for trips after Christmas. Convenient airports are Los Angeles, CA (LAX), Burbank, CA (BUR), Ontario, CA (ONT), Long Beach, CA (LGB.) The closest airports, especially for those renting cars, are Los Angeles and Burbank. It is always advisable to buy your tickets against seven days in advance.

For people in neighboring states, buses, trains, or better yet, traveling by car, is probably the best bet. Using a car will also save money on needing to rent one once in Pasadena.

Renting a car in Los Angeles is not as expensive as it used to be, and with the lower gas prices, convenient of travel, and hassle or non-existence of public transportation in Pasadena and Los Angeles, it is well-worth the investment.

Deals on both rental cars and airfare can be found on both Orbitz and Expedia.

HOTELS

Many Rose Bowl fans grapple with the question - should I stay in Los Angeles, or Pasadena? The answer depends on how much time outside BCS you wish to spend. Hotel deals can also be found on Orbitz or Expedia, but here are a few bets in Pasadena for those hoping to remain close to the stadium.

Ramada Pasadena, 2156 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107 ·

Phone: 626.793.9339. Web site: http://www.kingstonpasadena.com/

The former Kingston Inn is now Ramada-owned, and sits right along the Tournament of Roses Parade route. With surprisingly fair prices, Ramada Pasadena offers iPod docking stations, free high-speed Internet usage and continental breakfast, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a gym, and free parking.

Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles/Old Pasadena, 180 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103

Phone: 626.403.7300. Web site: http://www.courtyardpasadena.com/apg_1147713242.php

Less than two miles from Rose Bowl Stadium, Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles/Old Pasadena is a great bet for BCS fans. Rooms include a hot, cooked-to-order breakfast, and other amenities offered are an outdoor pool, fitness room, coin-operated laundry, on-site dining, and local restaurant delivery services.

DECORATING A FLOAT

Anyone whose dream is to help decorate a Rose Bowl float might be able to make that a reality. For information, call the float builders Festival Artists at 626.969.3405 or Phoenix Decorating Company at 626.793.3174.

RESOURCES

Expedia

http://www.expedia.com

Orbitz

http://www.orbitz.com