138th Tournament of Roses Parade

Day 1

A flight to Santa Ana and short drive to Costa Mesa brings you to our hotel home where a welcome dinner awaits - your chance to mix and mingle with other travelers from all over the nation (and perhaps the world!) who have descended upon SoCal for this iconic annual event. This year's parade theme is "Welcome," celebrating the spirit of opening doors, hearts, and traditions to others. Certainly, we could all use a bit more of that in our world right now! Hilton Hotel Orange County/Costa Mesa - 3 nights (L) 

Day 2

Start the day at one of the exclusive float-building workshops to see the magic being made as teams of volunteers apply the floral elements to the floats that will be featured in the parade. Then you're off to Beverly Hills for lunch at ever-popular Lawry's The Prime Rib, followed by a guided tour of a working movie studio that helped make Hollywood famous. (FB, L) 

Day 3

A morning visit to Huntington Beach - known as "Surf City USA" - will afford you the chance to walk the beach, stick your toes in the Pacific, or stroll the pier. At nearby Newport Harbor you'll board a dining yacht for lunch as you cruise around the homes of the rich and famous. This evening at the hotel a Monte Carlo-style New Year's Eve bash is planned to include dinner, a champagne toast and party favors. Worried about making it to midnight? Never fear! We'll celebrate with New York, then you can call it a night! (FB, L, D)

Day 4

Admittedly, it's an early morning as we depart for Colorado Boulevard, the route of the Tournament of Roses parade, to reserved bleacher seating on the grounds of Pasadena City College. There you'll have a prime, unobstructed view of the beloved annual event, now in its 138th year, complete with a seat cushion, souvenir blanket and program. A SoCal barbecue lunch is served before heading back to Santa Ana and your return flight to Sacramento.