Welcome to Los Angeles and Cartan’s 2009/2010 Rose Parade celebration. Cartan Tours will be providing transfers from Los Angeles International Airport to the DoubleTree Hotel Torrance, between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm. If you are arriving outside of these hours, transfers will be provided by Super Shuttle. The hotel is just 15 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport. When you arrive at the hotel, a Cartan staff member will be waiting to welcome you and assist with your check-in arrangements. The DoubleTree is a wonderful place to stay! There are many restuarants ans shopping within walking distance of the hotel. The time between your busy Rose Parade activities, finds you in comfortable and spacious surroundings. This evening, join your Cartan representatives for a welcome reception with light refreshments. Here you will meet other members of your group. You will be introduced to your Cartan Tour Managers. A Cartan representative will review your activities and schedule for the days ahead and answer any questions you might have. Dinner is on your own.

Most mornings, you will be treated to a full American buffet style breakfast. Today is a busy day but sure to be filled with wonderful memories. Following breakfast we are on our way to Pasadena to enjoy the activities surrounding the Rose Parade. The viewing of the floats up-close and in living color has always been an exciting activity. This is your chance to see the detail of the vast array of flowers, seeds, and natural plant materials that cover these massive floats. “Fanfest” activities vary from year to year but they always provide some tasty food and provide a chance to buy official Rose Parade souvenirs.

We will return to the hotel to relax and freshen-up prior to departing for Garden Grove – home of the Crystal Cathedral. Each year they perform “The Glory of Christmas” pageant, telling the story of the birth of Jesus. The performance is unparalleled. You will be astounded when you see live camels and sheep walking onto the stage, and be delighted by flying angels.

Dinner is on your own.

Los Angeles is a fascinating place. Today you take a look at many of the places that Southern Californians call home. Santa Monica, Bel Air and Beverly Hills showcase every style of home from humble bungalows to breathtaking estates. See Rodeo Drive all dressed up for the holidays, drive along Sunset Strip, and then a stop at Graumann’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Have your picture taken with a movie character or look for your favorite performers star. There are plenty of souvenir shops with unique products to keep you entertained as well numerous places to get a snack.

Our next stop is Los Angeles “famed” Farmers Market. The Farmers Market has been in continuous operation for over 70 years and boasts of shops with merchandise and food you will not find anywhere else! For example, the “senior doughnut makers” at Bob’s doughnuts start work at 4:30am in order to bake about 1,000 doughnuts daily. “The Grove” is located across the street from the Farmers Market featuring upscale shopping in a very pretty setting. Designed to make you feel like you are in a small town, an old world trolley gets you from one end to the other. Beautiful holiday decorations and a huge Christmas tree make this a very festive place to spend some time.

We will return to the hotel with plenty of time to freshen up for dinner. Dinner tonight is on your own, and there are plenty of restuarant choices near the hotel. If later in the evening you decide to see how Californians welcome the New Year, you will find a number of nightspots close to the hotel. Just keep in mind tomorrow is a VERY early start!

An early morning is in order as you do not want to miss a moment of the 2011 Rose Parade. Cartan’s Rose Parade package always includes top category reserved parade seats. We have reserved grandstand seats on West Colorado. This puts you at the start of the parade, with the sun at your back. The bands are in tune, the floats are ready and you are about to experience the thrill of watching the Rose Parade! After the parade, enjoy a delicious boxed lunch as we return to the Ayres Hotel. This afternoon, we will offer those who are interested a visit to one of the local beach communities. The coaches will stay a couple of hours, so you will have a chance to see the ocean and walk along the boardwalk.

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You may purchase our optional “Post Parade-Showcase of Floats” package. This is a limited opportunity to view the floats after they complete the parade route. We are offering this package for an additional $25.00 per person. Following the parade, we will take you to this special viewing at Victory Park. The viewing of the floats is a self-directed walking tour. Guests who elect to purchase this package should note that our coaches will depart Pasadena about 4pm. It will be a long day, but for flower-lovers we are sure a rewarding one. Reservations for “Post Parade-Showcase of Floats” will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Breakfast will be offered at the hotels normal operation time. Cartan will have transportation from the DoubleTree Hotel Torrance to the Los Angeles International Airport starting at 5:30am and continuing until 2:30pm. If you schedule your departure flight before 7:30am, we will arrange a transfer for you to the airport. The cost is about $25.00 one way. Thank you for traveling with Cartan Tours on this “Trip of a Lifetime”!

Also we are offering corner end-zone seats, including transportation from the parade to the Rose Bowl Stadium, the services of a Cartan Tours escort, as well as transportation back to the hotel after the game.  Tickets are $450 per person.

You may want to extend your stay in Los Angeles; we can assist you in pre or post nights at the DoubleTree Hotel Torrance.

Rose Parade Tour - Double Tree Hotel Torrance

Dates & Rates - 5 days & 4 nights