I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed attending the Tournament of Roses Parade yesterday morning. Sure, I only got about 2 hours of sleep and had to brave freezing cold temperatures, but overall it was a relatively hassle-free experience with a beautiful and memorable payoff. I took the Gold Line light-rail train to Pasadena to avoid dealing with traffic and parking. Then, after walking only four blocks, I found a spot right on the curb with an unobstructed view! It’s an entirely different experience seeing the gorgeous floral floats glide down Colorado Boulevard in person compared to watching it on TV. I’m not sure about a new annual tradition, but I would definitely go again sometime.
Here’s a link to my previous post about the Rose Parade.
Here are some of my favorite photos:
Michael Figueiredo is a freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles, California. When he’s not gallivanting around the world, he’s enjoying the laid-back lifestyle and perfect weather of Southern California. So far he’s visited thirty-six countries and territories on five continents. His goal is to see at least one new country every year! Michael Figueiredo is a newly-minted travel writer based in Los Angeles, California. When he's not gallivanting around the world, he's enjoying the laid-back lifestyle and perfect weather of Southern California. So far he’s visited 36 countries and territories and hopes to see at least one new place every year. He recently traveled to Italy, Croatia, and Turkey with day trips to Montenegro and San Marino. This year he hopes to travel to Cuba! Read more from this author
Twitter: @adventureswben
Cool photos! Love the Pac Man one.
Twitter: @TravelingWithS
Your photos are great! Glad you enjoyed the experience of seeing the parade in person. I’m always amazed at how they can build such gorgeous, intricate floats.
Great pictures. You can’t beat SoCal on New Years Day (“cold”, lol). I hope you keep up this great blog in 2011
In the 40s with wind chill is cold to me!
Twitter: @ayngelina
Paula Deen was the Parade Marshall? Hilarious!
Wow! I’ve lived in San Diego for 6 years now and have never been to the Rose parade. It looks really fun. I’ve enjoyed the pics and maybe you’ve convinced me to visit next year.
Thanks Scott. I’ve lived in SoCal my whole life but never went before. It was really interesting! I’d go again for sure.
Twitter: @lilygogo
Glad you found such a good position ob the curb to be able to give us such brilliant pictures. Unbelievable the work which goes into these floats.
Thanks Inka!
I love parades – there’s such creativity that goes into making those floats. (do people still call them floats?)
Twitter: @budgettravelsac
Great photos! As I stated in another one of your posts, I never cared about the Rose Parade but it is a big deal to some people out here in California. The more shocking thing about your post though – there’s public transportation/light rail in southern California?!?!
Yes, we do have public transit in L.A.! And the system is growing too. In 2008 we voted to tax ourselves .5% for 30 years in order to pay for several new light rail lines, an extension of our subway into West L.A., and some rapid bus lines. At 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day the Gold Line was super busy too with lots of out-of-towners. It felt like being in a “real” city like New York or Paris. haha!
Twitter: @vagabond3live
We live in L.A., too and have recently been using the rail whenever and where ever we can. When you know there will be heavy traffic on the 101, it’s so nice to just jump on the red line and head downtown!
Also- we went to the Rose Parade a few years ago and loved it. and you are brave for bearing with the weather… We sat at home this year!
Twitter: @globotreks
I’ve never seen the parade in person but I remember watching it on TV when I was young. My mom loved it and she used to watch it religiously!
Twitter: @ladyexpat
Wonderful photos, Michael. I love parades.
Wow! I have never been to this parade. It looks amazing! I will have to look up when the next one is.