Attending the Tournament of Roses Parade
College football fans are no stranger to the Tournament of Roses Parade, which takes place every year on January 1 - unless New Year's Day falls on a Sunday. Pac-12 and Big Ten alumni come to cheer on their teams at the Rose Bowl game each year after flying in to Los Angeles and picking up their California rental cars. However, you may not realize that the day's events are focused on much more than just sports.
Events at the Tournament of Roses Parade
Athletes aren't the only college students recognized at the Rose Parade - marching bands take the beat down a 5.5-mile route for Bandfest. Of course, the musicians are accompanied by floral floats and nearly 1 million cheering fans who line the parade's path. If you want to get a good spot, drive your Los Angeles car rental to Pasadena early to set up shop, or else you are better off joining the millions of viewers watching on television. The day's events are broadcast across a number of markets, including ABC, NBC and the Hallmark Channel.
The Tournament of roses has a long history, having first started in 1890. It was then that the Valley Hunt Club began a mid-winter celebration in which chariot and foot races took place, in addition to events such as polo matches and tug-of-war. The first Rose Bowl game was in 1902, when the University of Michigan took on Stanford University. The game was exciting for Midwesterners, as Michigan won the game 49-0. The Rose Bowl was also the first college football bowl game to be broadcast on local radio in 1926. However, there's plenty else for sports-fanatics and non-sports lovers to do in Pasadena.
Other attractions and activities of Pasadena
Take your Tournament of Roses Parade rental car over to Brookside Golf Club, located at 1133 Rosemont Avenue in Pasadena. The greens were designed by William P. Bell, and you will find 36 holes among the foothills of the city. Brookside has been host to a number of major championships, including the Los Angeles Open. The course also has a full-service bar, clubhouse, putting greens and more.
Park your Thrifty rental car and take a Pasadena Public Art Walking Tour while you're in town. There are 10 different options to choose from, depending on what you would like to see during a stroll. But if you're interested in learning more about the history of the city, you're sure to learn something new at the Pasadena Museum of History, which was founded by the local historical society in 1924 and is located on 2.1 acres of land. Exhibits are open from noon to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and tickets cost $7 for general admission and $6 for students, while seniors and children younger than age 12 get in for free.