USC Trip Plans/Advice

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Curseislifted33

Curseislifted33

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I checked a previous thread on the USC game but like always it turned into a pissing match between posters so I couldn't find anything useful. My family has purchased tickets to the USC game but aren't going through the Alumni team trip, too $$$. Just wondering if anyone on GH has advice for us in terms of the best hotel to stay, cool places to visit, etc. We want to be downtownish so we can go to the Tailgate and such but figured anyone who has been there before or is from California can help...or anyone else on GH what are your plans if you aren't going through the charter?

-Thanks in advance!
 

5 of us are heading down there on our own rather than through the U. We are staying in the LA Live district, right across from the Staples Center in the JW Marriott. It seems to be about a mile from the team hotel...
 

Curseislifted33 said:
I checked a previous thread on the USC game but like always it turned into a pissing match between posters so I couldn't find anything useful. My family has purchased tickets to the USC game but aren't going through the Alumni team trip, too $$$. Just wondering if anyone on GH has advice for us in terms of the best hotel to stay, cool places to visit, etc. We want to be downtownish so we can go to the Tailgate and such but figured anyone who has been there before or is from California can help...or anyone else on GH what are your plans if you aren't going through the charter?

-Thanks in advance!
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There was a post by Trojan Princess a while back that had a fair amount of advice. Not sure if that's the one you saw. Honestly, you might be better served going onto a USC forum for that advice. All the fans we met at the game (other than the one that was right next to me) were really nice and very friendly, so I'd think their board would be pretty helpful.

If you start adding up everything, the Alumni trip isn't as expensive as you think. I've taken one of their trips out to Penn State a few years ago and they did an awesome job. We're planning on spending a week out in LA with relatives, otherwise we likely would have booked through Creative Charters.
 

We're flying into LA on Thursday and staying downtown LA at the team hotel (I believe it's called the Omni). Plan to rent a car and do the tourist thing on Thursday and Friday (Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood, friend wants to check out UCLA's campus in Westwood). I believe there is a Sota Social on Friday night and then obviously tailgate and game on Saturday. Probably will stick around downtown LA on Saturday night and maybe hit up the LA Live area. Flying home on Sunday afternoon.

Hope to see a lot of Gopher fans in LA that weekend. Should be a good time.
 

I will be driving up from San Diego with a bunch of people. The LA Live area is a good place to stay. Also keep in mind the Twins play the Angels Friday through Sunday so a hotel by the baseball stadium might not be a bad idea either, then you could check out the Disneyland thing. If you are really adventurous the timing of the games allows you to see both the Gophers and the Twins in the same day and after the Twins game on Saturday they are having a free concert for all in attendance. I believe it is Neo (R&B Singer). Keep in mind if thinking about driving around that LA traffic SUCKS so allow extra time for yourselves. I for one am really looking forward to this game.
 



AuEGO4 said:
If you are really adventurous the timing of the games allows you to see both the Gophers and the Twins in the same day and after the Twins game on Saturday they are having a free concert for all in attendance. I believe it is Neo (R&B Singer).
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Just an FYI for anyone planning to try the doubleheader on Saturday, it would be more accurate to say that the concert is included in the admission price for all in attendance. The Angels have games divided into three tiers for pricing (much like the Twins do). The game on Friday is in the least expensive tier and the game on Saturday is in the most expensive. As an example, the seats I purchased for $58 each for Friday night are $98 each for Saturday night, so it would be an extra $40 per seat in that section for the "free" concert. The price difference varies by section, so not every seat is $40 more on Saturday, but the jump is large on a percentage basis throughout the ballpark.
 

AuEGO4 said:
I will be driving up from San Diego with a bunch of people.
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That's what my group is doing too.
AuEGO4 said:
If you are really adventurous the timing of the games allows you to see both the Gophers and the Twins in the same day and after the Twins game on Saturday they are having a free concert for all in attendance. I believe it is Neo (R&B Singer).
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And we're planning to hit both games as well.

Very excited!
 

Thank you all for the advice, I really like hearing from people on the good local restaurants to hit up (got some places from the Scout links). Have to work on Thursday so we are leaving early Friday morning and coming back Monday Night from MPLS and staying at the downtown Los Angeles Marriott (got a deal) which is real close to the Omni but a good amount cheaper if anyone else is looking to save a buck but not have to stay in a dump. We plan on piggy-backing to the Gopher Tailgate and such so I am looking forward to meeting some fellow GH'ers in person! I am thinking maybe have a GH outing at the Twins-Angels series and we can pick a place to meet before or after for some beers?
 



2nd Degree Gopher said:
Just an FYI for anyone planning to try the doubleheader on Saturday, it would be more accurate to say that the concert is included in the admission price for all in attendance. The Angels have games divided into three tiers for pricing (much like the Twins do). The game on Friday is in the least expensive tier and the game on Saturday is in the most expensive. As an example, the seats I purchased for $58 each for Friday night are $98 each for Saturday night, so it would be an extra $40 per seat in that section for the "free" concert. The price difference varies by section, so not every seat is $40 more on Saturday, but the jump is large on a percentage basis throughout the ballpark.
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Should have just went to stub hub where I got my tickets for $19 Saturday night. Also I don't know if this helps you or not but Friday and Sunday are military days where tickets are 50% off for military.
 

AuEGO4 said:
Should have just went to stub hub where I got my tickets for $19 Saturday night. Also I don't know if this helps you or not but Friday and Sunday are military days where tickets are 50% off for military.
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Thanks for the tip. We looked at Stub Hub for Friday night and couldn't find any really good seats for less than about 10%-20% over face price. Saturday we're going to wing it since the postgame revelry may be too hard to tear away from in time to get back down to Anaheim.
 

AuEGO4 said:
Should have just went to stub hub where I got my tickets for $19 Saturday night. Also I don't know if this helps you or not but Friday and Sunday are military days where tickets are 50% off for military.
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Good suggestion...for whatever reason I wasn't thinking about StubHub. I found seats for a small savings for the Sat night Twins game. The big win was for the Friday night or Sunday afternoon Padres games where awesome seats are going for $40-$50 below face.
 

unless you are really into the disney thing, skip it. huge crowds and aging attractions.

try knotts berry farm instead. less crowds and just as family friendly. the attractions are less commercialized.

also, the universal studios back lot tour is worth the price of admission.

otherwise la is just this side of hell.
 



Los Angeles, I've been here 10 years.

Yes, it is frickin' hot here in August and September so be prepared.

The Orange International Street Fair is that same weekend (City of Orange) and is quite a good time for the price. It is close to Angel's stadium and Disneyland. I would agree that Disney is overpriced but it is easy to stop at Downtown Disney for trinkets and eats only.

Hertz is offering free Gold Member enrollment right now for those renting cars. Also, use the CDP 1736927 upon reservation for 15% off the rental and discounts on the optional coverages. There is a reason rentals are much cheaper here than in MN, there isn't any coverage mandatory for rental companies; consider the LIS and LDW coverages and don't get screwed.

The Getty and MoMA are both excellent museums worth an entire day. Next, don't go to CA and not stop by the Hollywood walk of fame, find your favorite star or whatever, see some of the bizarre people that LA has to offer.

For walking and shopping Santa Monica and Pasadena are the best. I live in Pasadena and love it, it's no Minneapolis but there's art, movies, restaurants, free concerts in the park, etc. Parking sucks so read the signs carefully, some meters are active 24 hours a day and others until 8 or 10pm, the Gold Line also goes there. A hotel downtown will give you the best train access but they shut down before midnight every night.

Remember, USC and the stadium are in South Central, not the most tourist friendly zone. Also, avoid the 5 and 405 freeways if possible, even on Saturdays, and yes, everyone here says "the 5." Oh yeah, there are also a miriad of casinos and horse tracks in town if you are into that sort of thing.

Finally, if you are downtown go to Langer's Deli at 7th and Alvarado and order the Mychal Thompson! See you at the game!
 

Huntington Gardens in Pasadena is really worth a visit.

Check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Getty Center and Getty Villa are worth a visit.

There are some great Asian and Latin/Hispanic restaurants in town as well. Some of my favorites include Atlacatl (Salvadorean), Golden Delhi (Vietnamese), Taste of Bangkok (Thai), and pretty much any place in Little Tokyo/Chinatown/Koreatown. These are all hole in the wall kinds of places, and they are fantastic (and cheap).

There are some nice places in the San Gabriel mountains for a day hike if you want to see the LA metro area sprawl.
 

vaporboy said:
Also, avoid the 5 and 405 freeways if possible, even on Saturdays, and yes, everyone here says "the 5."
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What would you suggest instead? Specifically wondering for folks coming from the San Diego area.
 

GoAUpher said:
What would you suggest instead? Specifically wondering for folks coming from the San Diego area.
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You have no other option coming from SD unless you want to take the PCH the whole way up,which I assume is quite scenic, but much slower then the 5.


When I was out there a month or so ago, I had no problem on the 405 on non-rush hour times. The 5 is fine except for a stretch north of Anaheim but south of LA where it inexplicably goes from 5 to 3 lanes of traffic....that sucked at 11 am on a Wednesday, so good luck.
 

gopherguy05 said:
You have no other option coming from SD unless you want to take the PCH the whole way up,which I assume is quite scenic, but much slower then the 5.


When I was out there a month or so ago, I had no problem on the 405 on non-rush hour times. The 5 is fine except for a stretch north of Anaheim but south of LA where it inexplicably goes from 5 to 3 lanes of traffic....that sucked at 11 am on a Wednesday, so good luck.
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You need to get yourself sent back out there for the week before the game and find yourself delayed by some sort of emergency at the Coliseum. ;)
 

Regarding the 5, I meant in town. Coming up from SD requires using the 5. My point is that if your are traveling between OC and LA during the day, like from USC to Anaheim to catch the Twins game or go to the Orange Street Fair, it will be a parking lot. I might take I-10 E/B to 57 S/B or I-110 S/B to 91 E/B. Check traffic early and often, this isn't the TC's.
 

Just bought my airfare to L.A. for this game. One of my college roommates lives in L.A. now so the rest of my roommates and my self are going out for the game and staying with him. Pretty excited for this. Last time I was in L.A. I had a great time. This will be my first ever Gopher away game (minus games @ Madison) of any sport. We are still looking for tickets, will probably get some off stub hub.
 

MadtownGopher said:
Just bought my airfare to L.A. for this game. One of my college roommates lives in L.A. now so the rest of my roommates and my self are going out for the game and staying with him. Pretty excited for this. Last time I was in L.A. I had a great time. This will be my first ever Gopher away game (minus games @ Madison) of any sport. We are still looking for tickets, will probably get some off stub hub.
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Try Craiglist in LA and here also, especially as you get closer to the game.
 


MadtownGopher said:
Just bought my airfare to L.A. for this game. One of my college roommates lives in L.A. now so the rest of my roommates and my self are going out for the game and staying with him. Pretty excited for this. Last time I was in L.A. I had a great time. This will be my first ever Gopher away game (minus games @ Madison) of any sport. We are still looking for tickets, will probably get some off stub hub.
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The game will not be sold out, and likely will not be close to being so. See you there!
 

Since it is the season opener and still just a non-conference game against a middle of the pack to bottom Big Ten team, the game will not sell out.
 

I don't know much about LA but I know I love the ocean, I would stay in a beach front hotel in Santa Monica, it's a straight shot on the Santa Monica freeway to the football stadium and you could wake up to a stroll along the beach. A little bit more expensive but it would be a better vacation.
 

jovs said:
I don't know much about LA but I know I love the ocean, I would stay in a beach front hotel in Santa Monica, it's a straight shot on the Santa Monica freeway to the football stadium and you could wake up to a stroll along the beach. A little bit more expensive but it would be a better vacation.
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I went to USC for two years and I agree. Stay downtown only if you want to be by the team or want a short trip to the stadium. You can take surface streets from Santa Monica south to Venice Beach or north to Malibu. From there you can go east to Hollywood and Westwood (UCLA). The only freeway trips are up the 405 from the airport and east on 10 to the game and back.

Anaheim is far away and will be a pain so if you want to go to Disney and the Twins games I'd plan on staying there and skipping everything else other than the football game.
 

Has anyone who bought tickets through the Gopher office received their seat assignments yet?
 

We are flying to LA Friday evening. Our plan is to stay downtown at the JW Marriott at LA Live Friday night. Saturday morning we are taking a cab to campus and tailgating with the goal line club. After the game we are driving to Anaheim for the Twins game and staying at the Hilton adjacent to the stadium. Should be a great weekend!
 

Our tickets just arrived a couple of days ago (section 13). We ordered through the USC ticket office as we didn't want to pay way too much or get seats somewhere out on the northbound lane of the 405. Also, since we purchased ours as part of the USC family package, we get free hot dogs and sodas. Woo! Hoo! My wife and I are so jazzed up for this game. We live in Las Vegas and rarely get chances to attend Gopher stuff. We have also already made plans to attend the U's home opener of the 2013 season as UNLV travels to Mpls. I am already Xing of on the calendar for that one!
 

We're staying in Rendo Beach. A little out of the way, but reasonable price and near the ocean. This is the first real destination non-conference road game the gophers have had since say Colorado in '91 although an argument could be made for Colorado St.
 

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