Can I cover all of this in 9-10 days??

[Helene]

I am working on a plan to go to California over Christmas break. I'm tentatively thinking we could spend 3 nights in San Diego, 3-4 nights in Anaheim and 3 nights in Pasadena.

Plan is to purchase the so cal city pass and to go to the Rose Bowl parade.

I've never been to California before and I'm not sure if I'm overstating my ability to travel between cities. I'm open to spending 7 nights in the Anaheim area to avoid going to a 3rd hotel......is attending the Rose Bowl parade doable from Anaheim??

I will be travelling with DH and DD 12, and DS, 11.

Any suggestions on an itinerary will be greatly appreciated

 

[corgi_monster]

If possible, I'd stay in Pasadena for the parade. The crowds and traffic are horrendous! If you can find a hotel that is on the parade route (or at least walking distance), that would be much more enjoyable.

 

[HydroGuy]

Couple questions and thoughts...

Why would you want to spend three nights in Pasadena to see the Rose Parade which happens on one day?

I had a couple chances to see the Rose Parade and never did it. And now I kick myself. So I never did it. But I understand you really need to get there early - like 5AM early or before. Traffic will be minimal at the time and it being a holiday. The only advantage of a local hotel I can see is to shorten the drive. That may be a good idea. I would have to check but I believe the drive would be at most one hour. Is that worth moving hotels? Probably not but it depends on the person.

Also, after the parade are you planning to go back to Anaheim? Again, traffic should not be terribly bad since it is New Years Day and a holiday. Unless you have other things to do and see in Pasadena I would be tempted to drive from Anaheim early morning and drive back that afternoon.

HTH

 

[LavenderPeach]

Why would you want to spend three nights in Pasadena to see the Rose Parade which happens on one day?

Well, there's lots of stuff to do in and around Pasadena so maybe that's what OP had in mind. There's the Gamble House, Huntington Library and Gardens, LA Arboretum, the Norton Simon museum, Old Town, shopping/dining and a day or two after the parade they have the floats on display so you can see them up close. I always think it's fun going to Pasadena and I'm surprised there isn't more interest from people to go visit it.

We went to the Rose Parade once a few years ago and it was POURING! One of the few times it has rained on their parade. We had reserved seats that had to be reserved months and months in advaced so it was disappointing that we got soaking wet. Since we leave close by we just drove that morning - it's about an hour from here - and it was fine but we did have to get there really early - even with reserved seats.

 

[Helene]

Thanks for the insight!! I'm glad to hear that driving in from Anaheim is doable.
I was hoping to avoid moving to a 3rd hotel room. The added bonus is that hotel rates in Anaheim are more reasonable, so it saves me time, hassle and money

 

[princess lovers mom]

have you gotten tickets for the parade yet? they are on sale- reserved seating will be the best- others you need to camp out night before to get a good seat- with the tickets you can also purchase a parking pass- without it parking will be very difficult

 

[HydroGuy]

Well, there's lots of stuff to do in and around Pasadena so maybe that's what OP had in mind. There's the Gamble House, Huntington Library and Gardens, LA Arboretum, the Norton Simon museum, Old Town, shopping/dining and a day or two after the parade they have the floats on display so you can see them up close. I always think it's fun going to Pasadena and I'm surprised there isn't more interest from people to go visit it.

I guess maybe. There are of course lots of interesting things all around SoCal. If I knew someone visiting SoCal for 10 days I personally would not direct them to Pasadena - except for New Years Day. I would list 20 other things ahead of Pasadena. So that is part of why I assumed the OP did not have other plans for Pasadena.

In any case, thanks for the list.