Pasadena Sports & Outdoors

The most traditional of all college football bowl games is the Rose Bowl game. Historically, it has been played between the champions of the Big 10 and Pac 10 conferences, but things have changed since the BCS has been put into play. (I am a Big 10 person, so I'm bitter).

The first game was played in 1902 between Stanford and Michigan. Stanford gave up in the 3rd quarter after being down 49-0, and football wasn't played as part of the Tournament of Roses again until 1916, where it has been played every year since, and has become the most historical college football game.

The game is played at the Rose Bowl stadium every year at 2 PM on New Year's Day (except every 4 years for the BCS championship game). It is a sellout every year, and tickets are expensive. The best way to get tickets, if you are not a season ticket holder or student at one of the schools playing in the game, is to buy a Rose Bowl travel package that includes airfare and hotel. This is really the only guaranteed way to get into the game. There are plenty of scalpers that walk around on gameday, so shopping around for a good price is always possible.

If you are in the LA area around the New Year and enjoy sports, do not pass up a chance to see the game. The festivities surrounding the game and the action on the field will be something you won't forget.

That is just a joke! It usually does snow in Southern California but we don't always see a whole lot of it. You can't ski or snowboard in Pasadena but you can go to Big Bear, Wrightwood and Frazier Park are probably to closest areas to enjoy. Check out my Big Bear page for more info!

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This is a short hiking path but not well used which makes it an intriguing hike. The path is very narrow and not completely clear. So, twigs and plants might brush up against your legs as you go. Another strange feature about this hiking path is that it is located in a residential area and not easily seen. Once you hike in, you come to a dry creek bed of rocks which then become the hiking path. At the end of this climb of the dry creek bed you will find a small waterfall.

Equipment: Sunscreen, sun glasses, water, towel.

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This hiking path is actually located in Altadena, just north of Pasadena. Park on the street in this residential area at Loma Alta Drive and Lake Avenue. There is a metal gate supported by a rock wall. You'll walk past the gate along a deteriorated rocky road. Continue east on this path. You'll come to a dirt path, you'll walk slight left then right again. You'll see a 3-4 foot wide dirt path going north and you'll proceed up this path to Echo Mountain. Approximately 5 miles round trip. See photos posted of the remnants of the "White City" built back in the 1800's at the top of Echo Mountain on my Echo Mountain Travelogue. It is a popular hiking path so quite a few people are up here but it's one of the more moderate hiking paths that won't wear you out too much.

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This hiking path is also used by runners and mountain bikers. It's fairly flat so you won't encounter any breath taking views. But what you will encounter is a stream for almost the entire way if you hike in quite far. We hiked in for about an hour. We probably had to cross the stream about 3 times. In the beginning, the path is wide and paved. The further you go in, it narrows and the path is dirt and sometimes rocks. We came to quite a few bridges which is neat because it makes for an interesting hike. Also, on this hiking path was a campgound. If you enjoy hiking, running or mountain biking, this is a great trail to take.

I wrote in the address, the city as Altadena so when you mapquest it, you can find it. It is actually located in the city of Pasadena. It's right on the border and the hiking trail actually is located next to JPL. See my travelogue for more photos.

Equipment: Sunscreen, sunglasses and water.

It's hard to believe there's a golf course in Pasadena because real estate in this town is such a commodity. Amongst the high prices homes and along side the infamous Rose Bowl is a beautiful golf course in what appears to be a ravine.

This golf course has lights and remains open most nights until 10pm. They open everyday when there's light in the morning and weather permitting.

The tricky part is finding the golf course.

...that is, if you can get tickets to the game. Every year, the Rose Bowl is built up as the best, most poular American college football game at the end of playing season. The Rose Bowl stadium is host to mainly collegiate sports. there has been talk of it has a future venue for a Los Angeles area NFL team- but dream on for this to happen. Politics and stupidity prevents the dream of an LA team ! Argh!

Equipment: a sun visor for watching the game in the stands.

One of the largest traditions in the country when it comes to college football is the Grand Daddy of them All, the Rose Bowl. Located in Pasadena, this stadium boasts one of the largest arenas in which college football is played. During the regular season, the UCLA Bruins call the Rose Bowl home, but every Jan. 1 (except when the RB gets the National Championship game), you can find over 100,000 screaming fans in this place.

Super Bowls have been played here, and it is an absolutely beautiful setting for a game.