Rose Parade Floats, Fun, & New Year Festivities

Help decorate floats for the world-famous Rose Parade and celebrate the New Year with us!

Experience an extraordinary 4-day New Year's escape! Combine the richness of tradition with a range of activities focused on the mesmerizing Tournament of Roses Parade floats. Witness the enchantment of these floats before they dazzle in the Parade broadcast live around the world. Participate in the final embellishment stages as seeds, bark, fruits, and flowers are meticulously added by experts and volunteers; or, spend time exploring the acclaimed Huntington Library, Museum, and Gardens instead. On New Year's Eve, raise a celebratory toast on London time at our spirited dinner and musical show in Alhambra's Ahmansor Court. Stay three nights at the Westin Long Beach Hotel with waterfront convenience, and relish prime seating for the 135th Rose Parade. The next day, stroll through Floatfest, where you'll have the unique chance to see all the floats up close and even admire your own handiwork!

Tour Fare:

$1675 per person double occupancy

$1925 per person single occupancy

$1620 per person triple occupancy

$1599 per person quad occupancy

Savings:

Save $50 per person when you book before October 7!

2023 Parade of Roses

Floatfest

Following the Rose Parade, wander through the floral and animated masterpieces parked along Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena. Rain or shine, take a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into each float entry and learn more about the process from Tournament volunteers. Comfortable walking shoes and early arrival are suggested for this exhibition, which spans over 2 miles of city streets with a moderate incline.

4-day Vacation

All times and routing are approximate and subject to change without notice.

DAY 1

Embark on a first-class new year journey departing from San Diego County. Our first destination is the Anaheim Packing House, which offers an array of unique dining options for a leisurely lunch on your own. Afterward, you'll have the choice of two exciting activities: Explore the magnificent Huntington Library, Museum, & Gardens at your own pace, or opt for visiting a Rose Parade float construction warehouse. Here, you'll witness the final stages of float creation and discover the way the entire float must be decorated with organic material including seeds, bark, moss, flowers, and more. Then, contribute to the float decorating process, adding final artistic touches to one of these exceptional displays. As the day winds down, join your Tour Manager for a welcome dinner at HMS Bounty in Los Angeles, which provides a delightful opportunity to connect with your fellow travelers. After dinner we'll make our way to the luxurious Westin Long Beach Hotel, located close to the picturesque waterfront, where we'll check in for three nights.

DAY 2

Enjoy a leisurely morning and an included breakfast at the hotel. This afternoon, there's no better way to send off the old year and celebrate the new one than at our New Year's Eve British Invasion Extravaganza, performed by Colorful Songs Revue at Almansor Court in Alhambra. We'll ring in the new year with a delightful dinner matinee of Those Were the Days, a musical variety show featuring songs from John Denver as well as '60s and '70s folk music. Then, when the clock strikes 4pm, we'll raise a champagne toast with our English friends as London moves into the new year. Return to your Long Beach hotel to spend the evening at your leisure. Join your Tour Manager for a walk to the nearby harbor to see the fireworks, enjoy local cuisine for dinner on your own, or simply settle in for a relaxing evening at your luxury hotel; the choice is yours.

B, L

DAY 3

Start your day with a satisfying breakfast buffet at the hotel. Our luxury motor coach awaits to transport you to the highlight of your vacation: The 135th annual Rose Parade, featuring the 2024 theme, "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language." In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, the language of music unites us all. The sound, texture, rhythm, form, harmony, and expression meld together to move, soothe, excite, and delight the world. Your exceptional seats are reserved at 414-450 West Colorado Boulevard, placing you close to the parade's starting line and offering an unobstructed view of the grand spectacle. Following the parade, our journey takes us to Bucca di Beppo in Redondo Beach, where a delicious Italian lunch awaits. Afterward, we'll make our way south along the picturesque Palos Verdes Peninsula, arriving at your hotel early evening with plenty of time on your own to relish your final night at your leisure. Take in a scrumptious dinner at one of the charming nearby restaurants or the hotel, savoring the culinary offerings of the area as you conclude an exciting New Year's Day.

B, L

DAY 4

Indulge in a full American breakfast buffet during your last leisurely morning at the hotel. Later, we'll board the motor coach for a journey to Floatfest, an exuberant celebration featuring all the magnificent floats that graced the world-renowned Rose Parade yesterday. At Floatfest, you'll walk within arm's-length of the floral and animated masterpieces parked in Pasadena. Take a closer look at the design and workmanship that went into them and learn more about the float process from Tournament volunteers. Admire your artistic contribution from the float decorating session and capture some memorable photos in front of your favorites as you revel in the festivities. This afternoon we'll delight in lunch at the popular Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. before continuing to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. A wondrous finale to this year's music-themed Rose Parade, you'll take an immersive docent-guided journey through the world of musical innovation, showcasing a diverse collection of over 1,000 instruments from different eras and cultures. Return to San Diego early evening with newfound friends and cherished memories of Rose Parade Float Decorating & New Year Fun.

B, L

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Tour Manager: Keri Belisle*

Activity Level: High

This tour requires moderate physical activity. There may be long days, and travelers should have the ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time. The Rose Parade requires travelers to navigate crowded sidewalks and climb several steps to bleacher seating. Time on own includes significant walking at Floatfest with limited places to sit.

What's Included in the Tour Fare

Round-trip luxury motor coach transportation from various pickup locations throughout San Diego County
Professional Tour Manager throughout the trip
Complimentary bottled water and snacks on the coach
Your choice of a visit to the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Gardens, or to a float construction warehouse to participate in decorating a Rose Parade float
Three nights at the Westin Long Beach Hotel & Resort close to the waterfront
Reserved seating for the Rose Parade (north facing, unobstructed views) close to the starting location
New Year's Eve matinee luncheon show with complimentary wine
Floatfest admission to view the floats up-close on static display
Docent-guided tour of the Museum of Making Music
Seven meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner
Gratuities for restaurant servers on included meals

What's Not Included in the Tour Fare

Any meals not listed on the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Gratuities for the Tour Manager and driver

Meals Included on the Tour

Day 1

Dinner at HMS Bounty - Pre-selected choice of:

Grilled Salmon with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day
Baked Chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day
Grilled Pork Chop with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day
Fish & Chips (French fries)
Vegetarian Pasta with vegetables

All meals include salad, fresh bread, soft drink or iced tea, and a slice of apple pie for dessert.

Day 2

Full American breakfast at the hotel

New Year's Eve matinee luncheon show - Pre-selected choice of:

Roast Chicken with rice pilaf & fresh vegetables
Vegetarian Pasta or Vegan Tartar: an artfully displayed vegetable diced atop a bed of avocados & topped with balsamic vinaigrette and a homemade crostini

All meals include garden salad, dinner rolls, holiday ice cream sundae, coffee, iced tea, and complimentary wine.

Day 3

Full American breakfast at the hotel

Lunch at Buca di Beppo

Family-style meal includes mixed green salad and Caesar salad served with house bread, Spaghetti Marinara, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, and cheesecake for dessert.

Day 4

Full American breakfast at the hotel

Lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company - Pre-selected choice of:

Fried Shrimp Entree
All American BBQ Cheeseburger
Fish & Chips
Alabama Chicken Linguini
Chicken Tenders

All meals include garden salad and a chocolate cake for dessert.

How to Make a Reservation

Making your reservation is easy. Simply click the Book Now button above to select your date and confirm your space online, 24/7. You can also call the DayTripper Tours reservations department at (619) 334-3394 during business hours of M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Smartphones

Although not necessary to fully enjoy your trip, a personal smartphone can greatly enhance your tour experience. Take high-quality photos, share your experience on social media in real time, search for nearby restaurants and topics of interest, set reminders, and more.

45-Day Cancellation Deadline

You may cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the tour’s departure date to receive a refund, less a $100 per person cancellation fee. Alternatively, when you cancel your booking forty-five (45) or more days prior to the departure date, we can waive the cancellation fee and transfer the full amount to another tour or a non-refundable voucher, which can be applied to any future excursion booked within one year of the original tour date.

Passenger name changes, deviations, or other changes made by the passenger after the final payment deadline has passed will be assessed a $50 per person change fee plus any fees incurred by the service providers. No refunds, transfers or credits can be issued for any reason on bookings canceled after the cancellation deadline.

Protect Your Investment with Travel Insurance

At DayTripper Tours, we recommend you purchase insurance to help protect against unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss, or even sudden sickness or injury, all of which could impact your excursion. In today’s ever-changing travel environment, you can relax and enjoy your trip with the security of knowing you are covered by a travel protection plan for those unexpected circumstances. For your convenience, we offer travel protection through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information, click here. Please note: your policy must be purchased on or before the date you submit your final payment for the tour in order to be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

* Tour Manager is subject to change without notice.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Times
Carlsbad	La Costa Avenue Park & Ride East side of I-5, at 710 La Costa Ave, 92024.	Failed View
La Mesa	Grossmont Park & Ride - 6385 Murray Dr, 91942 Narrow parking lot next to Red Lobster.	Failed View
Mission Valley	Sidewalk at red curb, west side of In-N-Out Burger Street parking only	Failed View
University City	6245 Kantor Street, San Diego, CA 92122 Street parking only. Do not enter parking lot.	Failed View