General Information
NFT Map: 34
Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: 626-577-3100
Ticketmaster: 213-480-3232
Website: www.uclabruins.com
Rose Parade Grandstand Tickets: 626-795-4171
UCLA website: uclabruins.collegesports.com
UCLA tickets: 310-825-2101
Flea Market: 323-560-7469
Overview
Everything about the Rose Bowl is big—its size, its reputation, its football games, its flea market, its mammoth concert stages fit for a Bono. With seating for 90,000+ screaming fans, it’s the largest stadium in Southern California. Every second Sunday of the month, the stadium hosts what it claims is the world’s largest flea market. And once a year, it’s the place to see the college kids lose their cool over the Big 10 and Pac 10 champs. The Rose Bowl is home to the UCLA Bruins football team and has hosted five NFL Super Bowl Games, the 1984 Olympic soccer matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup Soccer, and the 1999 Women’s World Cup Soccer. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.
While the stadium hosts world-class events, there’s nothing particularly exceptional about the super-sized structure, except maybe its size. The stadium is moderately accessible by car, and the surrounding area of Pasadena offers good walking and shopping opportunities, with a choice of restaurants and sports bars where you can celebrate your team’s victory—or drown out a nasty defeat.
Flea Market
On the second Sunday of each month, the flea market takes over the entire Rose Bowl complex. Inside the gates, you’ll find a slapdash array of new merchandise, antique collectibles, vintage clothing, and goodness knows what else. All of which is just a precursor to what you’ll find in the parking lots: the world’s most overwhelming garage sale (come with patience, if not cash to burn). Entry into the flea market costs $8 after 9 am. If you want first dibs on the goods, you can gain early entry: admission costs $10 from 8 am to 9 am; $15 from 7 am to 8 am; and $20 from 5 am to 7 am. Serious shoppers arrive at dawn, and few go home empty-handed.
How to Get There—Driving
There is one major consideration you need to take into account when driving to the Rose Bowl—AVOID the 110 Pasadena Freeway at all costs! The best approach to the stadium is the Pasadena 210 Freeway. Take the Mountain/Seco/Arroyo Boulevard/Windsor exit and follow signs to the stadium. If you approach on the 134, exit at Linda Vista and follow signs.
A less congested alternative if you’re coming from the west is to take 134 to 2 North then take 210 East to Pasadena and exit at Mountain/Seco/Arroyo Boulevard/Windsor.
Parking
Parking for UCLA games costs $10 for cars, $20 for motor homes/limousines, and is free of charge for buses. On Rose Bowl day, parking costs $25 for cars and $100 for motor homes. For the Rose Parade, paid parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at various lots and parking structures near the parade route, including locations at Boston Court/Mentor, Union/El Molino, Euclid/Union, Raymond/Union, 40 North Mentor/Lake, 465 East Union near Los Robles, 44 South Madison near Green, 462 East Green near Los Robles, and Colorado/Los Robles.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
No city buses or trains stop near the stadium, but on Rose Bowl game day the MTA provides regular bus service from locations throughout the county. Call 800-266-6883 for departure locations. A shuttle is available on UCLA game days from Old Pasadena to the Stadium. The shuttle picks up fans at the Parsons Technology Building (100 W Walnut Ave). Parking costs $9, and the shuttle is free. Service begins four hours prior to the game and continues for one hour after the game.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets to the Rose Bowl, Rose Parade, and UCLA games can be purchased online through Ticketmaster.