Okay, humor me. For kicks and giggles, my son and I on a Rose Bowl trip......

[OhioLion]

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

 

[91Joe95]

Your questions are easy, the internet.

Flights, hotels, etc. Kayak.com

Also check out the actual airlines and hotels for cheaper prices. Forget taxis, do uber.

 

[jim cummings]

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

 

[OhioLion]

Hey, Jim. Your reply is taken as a put down on my small NW Ohio rural upbringing.
The problem with this board is too many replies are not towards the topic, but towards put downs and mocking people. If you did not wish to reply constructively to my OP, maybe go look to see what the "worst Christmas Song" post has updated with tonight.

OL

 

[91Joe95]

Hey, Jim. Your reply is taken as a put down on my small NW Ohio rural upbringing.
The problem with this board is too many replies are not towards the topic, but towards put downs and mocking people. If you did not wish to reply constructively to my OP, maybe go look to see what the "worst Christmas Song" post has updated with tonight.

OL

Really, I didn't take it that way at all.

 

[AustinLion81]

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

Kayak (as recommended) is a great option - be sure to use the option to look at other airports - not sure where you are flying from - but you can check a box on your search to consider other airports in the area on both sides of the trip - For LA, that could introduce airports other than LAX such as John Wayne airport or even something like San Diego..

For hotels, other option is something like hotwire or priceline - ou pick an area and it will show you available hotels in the area based on level (i.e. a 2 or 3 star) and the price - you don't get to see the actual hotel until you book- but you know you are booking a 3 star at $100/night (for example) and then it tells you it's a Hyatt at X street - been using it for years and only felt disappointed in hotel/price once.

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

Kayak is good option for searching airlines - one thing to try- in your search, you can select a box to look at other nearby airports - not sure where you are flying from, but you may want to look at flights into other airports like John Wayne or even San Diego in addition to LAX - will aslo let you see cost on differnet days..

For hotel, Hotwire is great - you can pick an area in LA and it will show you what's avalable based on quality rating. A search for LA is showing a 4 star hotel near the airport for $109 for 1/1 to 1/3 timeframe - 2 star hotels are getting into the $60 range - focusing only on Pasadena bumps the rate up to the $450/night range.. you don't see the actual hotel until you book and pre-pay,. I've used Hotwire for years for travel and never had an issue.

Rental cars on Hotwire for that timeframe from LAX are starting at about $20/day - probably more like $35 or so after fees - but still look like a good deal.

Tickets - no clue. but seems like prices are dropping and if you want to wait to closer the actual day, it's probably gonna be cheaper than right this moment.

If you don't do a rental car, Uber is definitely the way to go - just download the app to your phone and request a car - driver will pick you up - easy and usually cheap.

Have fun!

 

[jim cummings]

Hey, Jim. Your reply is taken as a put down on my small NW Ohio rural upbringing.
The problem with this board is too many replies are not towards the topic, but towards put downs and mocking people. If you did not wish to reply constructively to my OP, maybe go look to see what the "worst Christmas Song" post has updated with tonight.

OL

I'd rather live your way. I live next to a neighbor that watches everything I do. I can high five his 35 year old live-in son from my sons bedroom while he jerks off in his bathroom.

Trust me, I'd much rather live in rural Ohio.

Also, you'll notice my like of Joes post. That's my constructive endorsement of his suggestion. Kayak. Thats all I use.

Merry Christmas and enjoy the game. Wish I were going to that too.

 

[AustinLion81]

Just did a real quick look at Kayak on flights - saw a reference to NW Ohio - so did a quick search on Kayak for flights from Cleveland or Pittsburgh) to Southern Cal in timeframe around the game..

Pretty ugly - looks like flights are in the $550 to $650 range as a minimum..

 

[LionDeNittany]

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

Personally I like Hipmunk.com for flights and Hotels.com for hotels.

I travel quite a bit.

LdN

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Not a traveler at all unless I have my 18' camper in tow.
The questions I pose are these:
- where would I begin to start a flight search?
- where would I look for a hotel to stay in (city-just Pasadena)?
- where would I begin to look for tickets?
- honestly I have only been in a taxi a handful of times in my life

This is a huge crap shoot that I would say is in the 90 percentile of not happening. But, curious just the same. If, and that is a big IF, I could pull it off, it would be more that we could really afford. However, ....... I'd be father of the century.

Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

OL

I would be pleased to help you search/evaluate travel options, but not much I can do about tickets.

 

[Agoodnap]

Your questions are easy, the internet.

Flights, hotels, etc. Kayak.com

Also check out the actual airlines and hotels for cheaper prices. Forget taxis, do uber.

This is good advice. I'll expand...
Google "discount airlines from the ( ) area". Most of the discount airlines use alternate airports and many don't use the travel sites like Kayak, Expedia, etc. You'll have to go to their website to book.

I like Spirit Airline when attempting to travel on the cheap side. They will charge you for virtually everything extra so plan ahead. They allow a backpack as your "personal" free carry-on for each passenger. If that's not enough, purchase a checked bag on-line and you'll save a bunch. Select a large suitcase and combine everything you need.

For hotels, I like to use google maps with a search of something like "hotels near the rose bowl", or whatever area you'd like to stay. Do a little research.

I often use Priceline when staying on the cheap. Find the area you want to stay and figure out a going rate. Head over to priceline and if you can narrow in the area on their site make an offer. You have to give your credit card information in order to bid but as long as you don't go ridiculously low you'll get a room.

Tickets: This is a tough call. I'm risky by nature and always buy my tickets at the venue. Does the Rose Bowl typically sell-out? How much do typical tickets go for shortly before kickoff? I'd buy them on the street, but most would be very nervous, especially with a youngster. I recommend Craigslist in the LA area and several of the PA areas like Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh. You'll find something reasonable, but remember these are very high face value tickets so expect to drop about $150 plus if it gets near sold out. Wait as long as you can without going mad.

Since it's such a big trip you should plan some other activities. Rose Bowl parade, Disneyland, La Brea Tar Pits, Hollywood, Muscle Beach, etc. As much as you can afford from both a time and money standpoint.

 

[schoolie]

My only recommendation is act NOW or your ship will sail. I'd do it if I were in your shoes.

 

[bjf1991]

My only recommendation is act NOW or your ship will sail. I'd do it if I were in your shoes.

Don't fly into LA.........

1 - You will find prices at less than 1/2 the cost of flying to LA

For example, Cleveland to Las Vegas, nonstop flight for under $300

2 - A few hours of driving from another airport in the region won't even be a big difference - as opposed to driving across LA

3 - You can "skip" the LA madness altogether (which, I am supposing, since you are more acclimated to NW Ohio Rural existence, isn't a "negative") .......and/or only venture into LA when and if you choose for some specific purposes.......

In other words, let's say you fly into - as a for instance - Vegas........you can set yourself down in a hotel an hour? 2 hours? More? East of the city - and only "do LA" when you choose (even if it is only for the game itself)

 

[TXLion]

Don't fly into LA.........

1 - You will find prices at less than 1/2 the cost of flying to LA

For example, Cleveland to Las Vegas, nonstop flight for under $300

2 - A few hours of driving from another airport in the region won't even be a big difference - as opposed to driving across LA

3 - You can "skip" the LA madness altogether (which, I am supposing, since you are more acclimated to NW Ohio Rural existence, isn't a "negative") .......and/or only venture into LA when and if you choose for some specific purposes.......

In other words, let's say you fly into - as a for instance - Vegas........you can set yourself down in a hotel an hour? 2 hours? More? East of the city - and only "do LA" when you choose (even if it is only for the game itself)

 

[TXLion]

As stated above be flexible on airports you will fly in to

I am flying to San Diego and driving up for about $100 per person savings$$

Go State!!

 

[lionville]

Might want to consider renting a car also if you're not staying in Pasadena. Use the same websites mentioned above to find a vehicle if you choose to try and drive in LA.

 

[MrDibbs]

I book my business travel (on those rare occasions that I am flying) by searching for flights on Kayak.com. After I see what's available - times and prices - make my decision and book through the airline's website.

Look into flying into one city (say Las Vegas - 4 hour drive to Pasadena) and returning from another. You may be able to save some $$$ that way.

When looking at where to fly from (I cheated and looked at your town on Google Maps), since you are probably 45 minutes from Toledo and 45 minutes from Fort Wayne - I would definitely consider flying from Detroit, Dayton, or even Columbus.

Sometimes (not always) I can get a good deal for car rental and hotel through the airline website, but a google search for "cheap car rentals" will get you to a website that cuts the chaff from the wheat. If money is important (and it always is) you will probably save $$$ by renting from Dollar or Enterprise.

Hotel should be the least expensive item on the trip planning. Lots of places to stay, but rates will be jacked because of holiday.

Good luck!