Question Rose Bowl travel - flying out the same night doable?
I haven't been to a game in 10 years (and that was in Ann Arbor during school), but something about this year grabbed me. Earlier today I bought a ticket (through the OnLocation link, section 10-L), and after some quick research settled on flying in morning of, and flying out night of. I live in the Bay Area so the flights are not that long.
I'm flying into Burbank airport, scheduled to land well before 11am, so I think I'm safe getting to the game, even if I miss out on tailgating (no arranged plans, just assume walking by and saying Hi to people is doable). However, I'm not 100% sure about the departing flight, which is around 8:30pm. I thought, game might last 4.5 hours, giving me 1.5 hours to get to the Burbank airport, should be pretty safe. Even if I don't make it I have relatively easy backup plans.
Questions to the seasoned travel vets out there:
1) am I likely very safe to make my outbound flight, or very unsafe, or somewhere in between?
2) Is Lyft or taxi (or something else?) better to get from airport to the stadium?
3) On the way out, it seems like its probably better to walk somewhere out of the stadium area before calling for a Lyft to the airport, given stadium traffic patterns - any recommendations there?
Apologies if this got covered elsewhere, I didn't see discussion to this level of detail. I weighed driving down and finding parking, hotels in Bakersfield or LA, etc, and settled on flying same day.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:52 PM ^
I don't think flight prices are coming down at this point. It is already a busy holiday weekend with the 1st landing on the Monday making it ideal for 4-day weekend travel trips for New Year's. You are already passing the 4-week advance, and flight prices tend to only rise after the 3-week advance. Maybe you get lucky in the next week, but I doubt it.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:45 PM ^
I live in Highland Park, a stone’s throw from RB, and I’ll say when you get out of the neighborhood and side streets near the stadium and to the freeway, traffic will be fine. Once on the freeway, it’ll take you 20. Even on a non-holiday, that drive isn’t that bad. But on NYD, should be smooth. And Burbank airport is small and I’ve never not been able to get there and be at the gate in minutes.
I would definitely Uber/Lyft to the stadium.
The big problem….I’ll agree with the posts above, when the game is over getting TO a car and out of the area will be the trouble spot. That can be brutal. I’m GUESSING that if you split right when game ends, it’s possible. It’d be tight. I’ve never taken an Uber/Lyft out of there, (last couple of times I went to event/game at Rose Bowl I rode my bike lol), so not sure how that process works. Guessing a lot depends on that. I’ll be curious if anyone on here has taken ride share out of there.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
How far away can I reasonably walk out of the stadium area, and how far do I need to go to get to somewhere it might be easier to get a Lyft and not be stuck in the stadium traffic?
December 5th, 2023 at 12:01 AM ^
The OP may be able to speak more knowledgeably on this, but it's not as simple as you make it out. The stadium is in a unique location surrounded by a golf course and what felt like more residential area. It's not like it is located in a downtown area.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:14 AM ^
In my research I found instructions like this: https://www.wanderu.com/blog/directions-to-the-rose-bowl/ which describe "get out of the metro station, walk to the Rose Bowl", so I assumed walking is possible. But nothing on the internet (so far) has said where to walk to when leaving that's a good place to get a Lyft
December 5th, 2023 at 12:19 AM ^
Metro station? That has to be over 2 miles away from the stadium.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:48 AM ^
That has to be over 2 miles away from the stadium.
Stated differently, a half hour walk.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:49 AM ^
The consideration in the walking directions is walk versus wait for the shuttle. In either case, it’s to the same place (which helps with your “walk where?” question).
December 5th, 2023 at 12:23 AM ^
Looks like the designated ride-share area is the southeast corner of the stadium. (Rosemont and Seco) which is right there by stadium. I'm not exactly sure what streets are closed going IN the stadium after the game, (since they make some of the roads outbound only), but if you can meet an Uber at like Rosemont and Orange Grove, that might work. That's probably a mile walk from the stadium. Or east of the stadium towards Pasadena. I'm guessing you could probably get Uber after 20-30 walk.
But again, I'm just unfamiliar with ride-share out of there. Maybe the wait for it goes fast? I doubt it. I do feel confident if you're an Uber at any point by 6, you'll make your flight. You can get to Burbank at 8pm and be fine. But also not sure you can get to one by 6. I'll be curious to read what other locals have to say...
December 5th, 2023 at 12:32 AM ^
Thanks! In all likelihood if people see someone running towards this intersection, then stopping out of breath hunched over, then walking, it'll be me - best plan so far.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:42 AM ^
haha. Yeah, I'll ask around a bit too and see if I can get some more tips from some friends. I'll circle back if I get anything of use.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:51 AM ^
Looks like the designated ride-share area is the southeast corner of the stadium.
Where did you get/see this? I ask because everything I’ve read and understood has said that ride-share drop off and pickup is prohibited at the stadium.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:47 PM ^
I'd drive! That way you have flexibility to get down there when you want and leave when you want!
December 4th, 2023 at 11:52 PM ^
I really considered it but driving ~6 hours each way by myself, plus the hotel and parking charges, seemed not a great choice.
I probably shoulda waited and sought plans with others, but for some reason I felt like if I didn't book it today I would probably lose my momentum and not do it at all.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:52 PM ^
This is the easy call. Flights and traffic are too unpredictable, especially on a holiday weekend.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
My flight isn't until 11:59 PM, so that's a pretty solid 10 hours after kickoff. That should be safe, right?
December 5th, 2023 at 12:03 AM ^
This option seems safe. You'll probably have way too much time to kill but when the options are
1) way too much time to kill
2) leave the game early
3) miss the flight
Option 1 wins for me every time
December 4th, 2023 at 11:50 PM ^
Currently located in SoCal and this plan sounds pretty high risk to me. 1410 PST start time probably leads to a 1730 ending at best. I have heard Rose Bowl traffic can take hours to clear out from coworkers that have been to the game.
Ontario might have some reasonable flight options back to San Fran if you need the extra time and want to avoid a hotel.
December 4th, 2023 at 11:59 PM ^
I suggest you leave at halftime....
It could take you a hour or more to just get out of the stadium area.
Biggest game of the year and you want to catch a flight a couple hours after it might be over. Mmmmmm??
December 5th, 2023 at 12:00 AM ^
You'll be fine.
Pasadena is a cluster fuck most of the day due largely to the parade. By the time the game is over all those streets are back open, and empty. This aint their first Rosedeo Bowl. Burbank is less than 20 miles. Might take an hour from final whistle but you'll get there. (edit) I'd be surprised if there wasn't a shuttle.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:04 AM ^
But LA/Pasadena/SoCal is always a clusterfuck. You can try to drive through LA at 2 AM on a Sunday and be stuck in traffic for hours while all the people are driving to fuck if I know where. I graduated from UCLA and looking back at my time there I can't believe I didn't murder someone.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:57 AM ^
Is there a missing “/s” on this one?
December 5th, 2023 at 12:10 AM ^
I live in the Valley and Burbank is my preferred airport. To be blunt, trying to fly out of Burbank that night IMO is a TERRIBLE idea. Both because of (1) traffic concerns (traffic WILL be awful leaving the stadium and golf course, that's a guarantee) and (2) more importantly, simply enjoying the event.
Burbank also doesn't have any flights that leave after 10 PM (or before 7 AM), FWIW. That's city regulations, to cut down on noise in the neighborhoods.
I'd just drive down (the SFBA isn't that far) --- that way you already have a car. Why not just do that? Hotels will be super-expensive that night in Glendale/Pasadena/Burbank, but I just looked, a Hampton Inn in Santa Clarita or Thousand Oaks (depending which route you take to the SFBA) is only 30 miles down the road and in the $125 range.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:18 AM ^
I already booked the flight, but that information now makes sense why there isn't an even later one. Much like the CFP contenders, there was no obvious winner from driving, flying, staying 0, 1, 2 nights, parking on site, etc, etc. I was too impatient (for no real good reason) and this seemed like a reasonable choice.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:30 AM ^
Assuming you booked Southwest (which is most of Burbank's flights) and dependent on what fare class you bought ---- in my experience they're the most liberal of the airlines in terms of refunds (and credits). I'd investigate. You may not be 100% locked in there.
With driving, I think you can do transport back and forth for under $300. $125 hotel, $100 gas, my parking (1 car, golf course) last year was $50.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:36 AM ^
Yea with the driving its also the 5-6 hours each way that are very unappealing. I'll look at the cancellation/modification and see if I can get on an earlier flight.
Missing the outbound is much less of an issue for me
December 5th, 2023 at 12:45 AM ^
I’ve driven up and down when staying multiple nights and needed a car. I’ve also done exactly your plan, and it was the best option and turned out better than I imagined. The only difference between my trip and yours is how long it might take when you leave the Rose Bowl? Other than that, the distance to the Burbank airport and getting in and out it’s so much easier than LAX was for me.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:35 AM ^
I would be shocked if it doesn’t take you waaaaaaay longer than 5-6 hours to drive in on the day of the game. You don’t have to just deal with game traffic and parking, but you also have deal with parade traffic and parking (which really mitigates the potential to just “get there early”). And then, let’s say you drive in 6-8 hours (with traffic, mind you), deal with parking in Pasadena, take the shuttle up to the stadium, get in and situated, etc. So you’re looking at potentially upward of 10 hours of transit/getting situated time. For a 2pm game, building backward, you probably need to leave the Bay Area around… 4am? I would be super mindful about how that is that going to cut into your game day experience.
December 5th, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^
Yes, avoid driving down at all costs.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:50 PM ^
Driving only makes sense if you leave the day before I live about halfway between the OP and the Rose Bowl. I could probably drive in the day of and go home the same day but that seemed a stretch. Like the OP I'm trying to save money so I booked a hotel in Santa Clarita. 30 minute drive in ideal conditions but obviously I'll budget way more time to get there. My plan is to drive home that night but if I'm celebrating too hard or the traffic sucks, I'll stay in Socal or somewhere else for an extra $150.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:11 AM ^
It’s a different stadium, but it took us over 2 hours to get an Uber after the Orange Bowl loss to Georgia in 2021.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:15 AM ^
Was this directly from the stadium, or walked some ways (1-2 miles) first?
December 5th, 2023 at 12:32 AM ^
I've tried this strategy at sporting events (walk a mile or two and then catch a rideshare). The problem is it doesn't really work. Depending on where your driver is coming from they almost certainly will have to navigate stadium traffic. In a place like LA at the Rose Bowl you are going to be talking about MANY miles before you're away from that traffic. If you're okay walking 5-10 miles from the stadium you might be able to catch a ride but it's still going to be super expensive because...
1) it's a holiday and drivers don't want to work
2) there's a HUGE demand for drivers for the game. So whether you're right at the stadium or a few miles away, they're going to jack the prices way up.
If you are adamantly opposed to a hotel, you need to fly out of LAX because you can get a late flight. It's further away and a pain in the ass, but it's the only option that will work.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:46 AM ^
You can schedule an UBER in advance. I’ve done this for getting to the airport at 6:00 AM. Not sure if this is reliable at an event like this.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:58 AM ^
I've never tried it for this but I'm guessing that won't work because it's hard to know the exact time you will need them and the driver can't really sit around and wait.
For fun I tried to schedule one at 6:15 from the stadium to the airport. It's asking $51.
December 5th, 2023 at 2:50 AM ^
I had the same problem with Uber after the Orange Bowl.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:18 AM ^
According to the game web site, ride shares are not allowed at the stadium. You need to take the free shuttle or walk to town, and hail an Uber/Lyft from there. So to me, this adds time but doesn't change the fact, as others have said, that thousands will have the same idea. I second the car rental idea. Rates seem really reasonable (albeit out of LAX).
December 5th, 2023 at 12:21 AM ^
Which website? Was doing a lot of this today while busy with other stuff so haven't been able to find that piece of information yet. I have no problem taking a shuttle, the one I read about was from "Preston square" at some intersection but I think I read it wasn't free (only free for non UCLA games). I don't have a problem taking that shuttle afterwards either, if its faster/easier than walking.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:30 AM ^
The problem with the shuttle/rideshare idea is there will be TONS of people doing this same thing.
I haven't done this at the Rose Bowl, but I did it at the Coliseum (not far from the Rose Bowl) and getting the shuttle literally took HOURS after the game. I would expect it to be worse because the Rose Bowl is a bigger stadium. And then once you get to wherever the shuttle takes you you now have to wait for a rideshare which will likely be a huge wait and will have surge pricing because it's super busy and a holiday.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:40 AM ^
This one. I think you and ignore the outdated URL as this is the current, official web site.
December 5th, 2023 at 7:25 AM ^
Ride Sharing
All drop-offs and pick-ups including taxi and rideshare drop off services are not allowed at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Drop off is located on Holly St. between Fair Oaks Ave. and Raymond Ave. From there, all patrons may utilize the free Rose Bowl Game shuttle or walk to the Stadium.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:31 AM ^
You can ride a bicycle there in 3 hrs, 1.5hrs if you are moving. What you’re gonna wanna do is get yourself a huffy.
December 5th, 2023 at 1:25 AM ^
To bad you can’t hide a Lime somewhere That would be epic, jumping on your Lime to catch your Uber and riding past everyone
December 5th, 2023 at 8:46 AM ^
Ha -- I had the same idea while reading this thread.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:36 AM ^
You are pushing it. Its taken me over an hour to get out of the Rose Bowl and to a highway during a lightly attended UCLA game, not a sold out Rose Bowl. And that does not include the wait for an Uber. It is a holiday, so I wouldn't worry too much about the typical LA traffic, however. If I were you, I would I grab that last flight out from LAX, which should give you plenty of time. Also, I would just rent a car.
To get the full experience, you might want to take the first flight out to catch the parade, too.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:39 AM ^
One change done - some of the positions have convinced me to fly in even earlier just in case (2 hours earlier), hopefully reducing chances of missing the game at least.
December 5th, 2023 at 1:00 AM ^
Check LAX for the flight out. Yeah, it's a pain in the ass to get to and much harder to get to than BUR, but you can also get a flight much later which gives you far more wiggle room.
December 5th, 2023 at 1:27 AM ^
I’d much rather stay over than try to haul all the way over to LAX in LA traffic.
The earlier flight in is a good decision in case your flight runs late.
December 5th, 2023 at 12:44 AM ^
IMO, this is insane, and not the good kind! Bay Area neighbor here. I recommend you get the 6:45 Southwest flight from SJC to BUR. Almost no risk of fog/weather at SJC compared to SFO. Winter delays at the other airports can be gnarly. The flight arrives at 8am. Zero stress. You'll love it. Southwest has another nonstop 2 hours later if something goes wrong with the first.
The last flight of the night is 8:40pm, which is tight. Very tight. CFP games are super long (extra commercials!) You risk missing the BEST PART of the game / trophy / etc. Assume that rideshares will be at maximum surge IF you can get one. 90,000 people are leaving a stadium - with difficult vehicle access! - all at once.
You should be able to find a cheap if unremarkable hotel near BUR to fly out first thing the next morning. It will save a lot of stress.
Have fun!
December 5th, 2023 at 12:52 AM ^
So you could afford the ticket and flight but not one night anywhere in LA? Seems like you maybe shouldn't have bought the ticket. Not judging but if that night in the hotel stretches you financially then the above scenario is a confusing choice