visiting LA at New Year's

[grannyminnie]

Ok, all you SoCal people...I have questions regarding a possible visit around New Year's. The last two visits we have made were in the summer, so this will be a different experience than those...but in what way other than weather, I'm not sure. My main thought is: what will or will not be "open for business"? The whole purpose of a visit at this time is to see the Rose parade, but we will be stationed in El Segundo (because there's a hotel there we love). The week following New Year's...is it pretty well business as usual?

 

[Bruins]

Yes, it should be business as usual after New Years, and to some extent even on New Years Day as well.

As far as the Rose Parade is concerned, do you have any questions at all?

Just FYI, after the parade is over, the floats are at a park and you can view the floats up close- cost is $10 to get in. The following is from the Tournament of Roses site:

<<<A closeup view of the floats
After every Rose Parade, the floral masterpieces are parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and exhibited for visitors to walk by and see in close detail the design and workmanship that goes into these floats. Visitors are able to walk within a few feet of the floats and appreciate for themselves the creativity and the imagination of the floral displays.>>>

 

[grannyminnie]

Yes, it should be business as usual after New Years, and to some extent even on New Years Day as well.

As far as the Rose Parade is concerned, do you have any questions at all?

Just FYI, after the parade is over, the floats are at a park and you can view the floats up close- cost is $10 to get in. The following is from the Tournament of Roses site:

<<<A closeup view of the floats
After every Rose Parade, the floral masterpieces are parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena and exhibited for visitors to walk by and see in close detail the design and workmanship that goes into these floats. Visitors are able to walk within a few feet of the floats and appreciate for themselves the creativity and the imagination of the floral displays.>>>

Hi, and thanks for your response! We've never been to the Rose Bowl parade, so are total "newbies"!! The plan right now is to buy grandstand tickets from Sharp Seating (I have done some research) and get a shuttle or take a train to Pasadena. We're staying in El Segundo (just couldn't stomach paying $250 a nite to be in Pasadena)...and not even being sure we'd have a decent night's sleep before parade morning....knowing we have to rise early!
One concern is where the shuttle or train would let us off. In other words, how far of a walk to the grandstand.
I'm glad to know we can still tour and etc. during New Year's week.

 

[StageTek]

Regarding tourist attractions being open New Years week; that’s
one of the busiest times for tourism here in the Los Angeles area.
Everything is open and everything is crowded. Though the
Tuedsay/Wednesday after the first the people will be heading home
so anytime after the fifth or sixth of January there will be few
crowds.

Public transportation on January 1 to Pasadena in time for the
parade is crazy busy. And that’s a long trip from El Segundo -
over two hours one way in the best of times.

Were your plans to take the Gold Line from Union Station to
Pasadena?

 

[grannyminnie]

Yes, but only because that was what I read was suggested. We are right at a Green line train where we stay, but as far as how to get from point A to point B (when to transfer), I will have to figure out how to read that small print in the schedule...if I can figure it out at all!
Our other option is to hope that one of the tour companies will run a shuttle over to Pasadena. We would prefer that and be willing to pay for it!

 

[StageTek]

You would take the Green Line to the Blue Line. Then the Blue
Line to the Red Line to Union Station and transfer to the Gold
line there. That will get you to about 1 mile from the grandstands.

http://www.redondo.org/depts/hbt/transit/pdf/Metro rail_map.pdf

 

[grannyminnie]

You would take the Green Line to the Blue Line. Then the Blue
Line to the Red Line to Union Station and transfer to the Gold
line there. That will get you to about 1 mile from the grandstands.

http://www.redondo.org/depts/hbt/transit/pdf/Metro rail_map.pdf

Wow, that sounds like a lot of switching trains...and on a very busy morning! I sure hope we can find a shuttle to bring us there instead!

 

[StageTek]

I'm wondering how the trip was....