Rose Bowl - UCLA Bruins
- Andrei Ojeda
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr Pasadena, CA 91103
Year Opened: 1922 Capacity: 88,565
From Westwood To The Arroyo Seco
Prior to 1982, the UCLA football program shared the Los Angeles Coliseum with their longtime nemesis, USC Trojans. Looking for a venue to call their own, the Bruins would come to an agreement with the city of Pasadena. Though some opposed the move due to its distance from campus, the move would prove to be an early success. The Bruins would win the Pac-10 title in 3 of their first 4 years at their new home away from home, each year coming out victorious in the New Year’s Day Grandaddy of Them All.
One of the most storied stadiums in all of college football, the Rose Bowl is an iconic structure recognizable to any college football fan. The Rose Bowl has been the site of many classic college football moments as well as the host to five Super Bowls.
Food & Beverage 4
With anticipated crowds being a far cry from even the Jim Mora days, local pop-up vendors, including various food trucks that once gave fans a variety of pregame choices in the Lot H Fan Zone, have disappeared. Though the selections have noticeably declined, the variety is still reasonable. Your usual game day fare of hot dogs, brats, and burgers, as well as specialty hot dogs from the Dog Haus are available as is your standard Mexican fare, cheesesteaks, and the favorite Filipino finger food - fried lumpia. If you’re craving a sweet taste, Cathy’s Cookies, a fan favorite from Pasadena to the O.C., has two vendors set up serving fans warm, delicious home-made chocolate chip cookies.
Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks available. Adult beverages include Miller brand beer, Blue Moon, and Dos Equis. Premium spirits are also for sale.
Atmosphere 3
If we were to rate the atmosphere based on the history of the venue and the game day pageantry of the annual New Year’s Day bowl game, the rating without a doubt would be high.
With the current sad state of affairs of UCLA Football, the difference in atmosphere between that and the actual Rose Bowl game itself is like choosing between dance techno or emo. A near decade long run of futility and longer, depending which UCLA fan you talk to, has deflated enthusiasm. These days the gameday presentation does not even feel like a true collegiate atmosphere with loud music constantly blaring between plays rather than having the marching band play. They even crank up the music as the marching band does its traditional drum cadence during kickoffs. Long standing cheers encouraging fan engagement such as the 8-clap and spell out are rarely performed anymore by the spirit squads. When actually performed, there’s hardly any energy behind it. Did I already mention that UCLA Football is going through a sad state of affairs?
You may even be saying that a “3” ranking for such a sad atmosphere would be too high. I wouldn't argue with you. But given the venue’s historic status and picturesque views, I feel that has to be a saving grace in an otherwise unwatchable on field product.
Neighborhood 4
The Rose Bowl is at the bottom of a valley at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, whose peaks rise above the stadium and are visible from anywhere inside or outside. Beautiful sunsets over the mountains looking north are common sights here.
The neighborhood immediately around the stadium is unique in its relation to the Rose Bowl. You won’t see the iconic stadium as you’re winding through traffic. Instead, you’ll be in quaint neighborhoods with streets lined with palm trees and beautiful homes. Suddenly the expanse of the Rose Bowl parking lot opens up in front of you on the valley floor with the celebrated Rose Bowl sign visible on the front of the bowl.
It almost seems like a hidden gem that is a part of the beautiful surrounding landscape.
Fans 3
When things are going well, fan support can reach a fevered pitch. However, with UCLA’s almost decade long football futility and the program’s seemingly disconnect from its core fanbase among other reasons cited by longtime Bruin followers, crowds at UCLA Football games have been beyond noticeably sparse. There is often speculation of a significant disparity between the announced attendance and the actual ticket scan count.
You can't blame the fans for staying away.
With attendance seeing a significant drop over the years, the upper reaches of both end zones have been tarped off. It’s a sad look. The fact any UCLA fans actually show up to watch what has become a national embarrassment of a major collegiate program is in itself worth the mid level score.
Access 3
Getting into the area of the 134 or 210 is fairly easy (as easy as it can be when navigating through L.A. traffic), but the fact that the stadium lies in the heart of a residential area with minimal major roads cutting through means going can be slow. Though crowds are expected to remain sparse in 2025, it's still a good idea to arrive early as navigating through some of the narrow roads and the direction of traffic can make the drive a bit of a challenge. If you are attending a game against a highly anticipated opponent such as Penn State or Nebraska, given their huge following that will make the anticipated hordes of fans feel they’re in Happy Valley or Lincoln West, allow yourself more time for arrival.
If you have no desire to drive to the bowl, parking in nearby Old Town Pasadena is also available, with prices ranging from $6 and up based on hours and length of stay. Parking in Old Town is a great alternative, especially if you plan on taking in some pre/post-game entertainment and dining options. Free gameday shuttle buses from the Parson’s parking lot on Fair Oaks Avenue are available for those of you parking in Old Town.
As classic and charming as The Rose Bowl is, once inside the seating bowl, you will notice that this is no modern-day venue. The rows are narrow, so you won’t have much legroom between you and the row in front of you. The incline is so gradual that should you find yourself sitting behind someone tall, you will be viewing the back of their head. Given the regularity of sparse crowds and the undesirable play on the field, relocating to a more viewable seating area should be no issue at all.
Return on Investment 3
Even with the reconfigured seating capacity, tickets are more than plentiful. Though box office prices can start from $27, tickets for most games can be purchased for below face value on various 3rd party sites. Given the current program’s abysmal on-field product, you may even be able to utilize a 3rd party site to purchase a ticket in the single digits.
Expect a hike in prices for more notable games against Penn State, Nebraska, Washington, and crosstown rival USC, as prices can start anywhere between $60 into the triple digits.
Extras 4
Before entering The Rose Bowl, statues outside the venue are worth a visit. One is of Brandi Chastain’s celebration of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. The statue depicts Chastain’s famous celebration from Team USA’s historic win over China.
Just outside the grand entrance is that of legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, the voice of many iconic moments.
Another statue that is a must, especially for first-time visitors, is the statue of Jackie Robinson. Unveiled in 2017, this statue features Jackie in gridiron form. Though Jackie will forever be associated with the number 42, it’s the number 55 that he wore when he played at nearby Pasadena Junior College, now Pasadena City College. This is one of four statues in the L.A. area paying tribute to the man who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, the others being across the street from Pasadena City Hall, Dodger Stadium, and Jackie Robinson Stadium. It was at UCLA where Jackie was a 4-sport star. Like MLB, the number 42 has been retired throughout all of the UCLA men's and women's athletic programs.
Aside from the Jackie Robinson statue, there is also one more permanent display honoring UCLA’s football past. Along the southwest concourse area outside the players tunnel is a statue most recently dedicated to former UCLA Head Coach Terry Donahue.
Final Thoughts
The 26-mile distance from UCLA’s Westwood campus and their football home in Pasadena has always been a commuter challenge for UCLA students and their westside followers. The current sad state of UCLA Football (Have I mentioned that enough already?) has done NOTHING to persuade fans to battle the notorious southland traffic on the jaunt toward The Arroyo Seco. Fans are fed up with the program. The recent termination of Head Coach DeShaun Foster has done nothing to temper the displeasure surrounding the UCLA community. The vitriol has not stopped with Foster’s dismissal, as fans and local reporters are vehemently calling for Athletic Director Martin Jarmond's dismissal, as well. There’s talk among the masses of this year’s team possibly going winless in 2025.
UCLA Football has had its share of disappointments throughout the years. Some Bruin fans feel the program still has not recovered from the 1998 Miami game. That’s 27 years and counting since the program’s last conference championship in a conference that is all but defunct.
If your college football journey should bring you out west don’t let the sad state of UCLA Football dissuade you from visiting the Rose Bowl. In spite of UCLA’s fall from college football relevance, the venue’s history alone and the warm fall tailgates with the scenic views of the San Gabriel mountains are still worth a visit to the home of many historic college football moments in The Grandaddy of Them All.
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