Cal fan here with some travel-related questions

by royrules22 on Aug 25, 2009 11:50 PM CDT

Hey guys,

I know this question has been asked before (in fact here it is), but I have a unique flavor to my question and I hope that it won't clutter up your fanposts section TOO much.

Anyway I'd like to book my tickets tomorrow and I'm already kind of late for cheap tickets unfortunately... I'm coming from Seattle, WA unlike many other Cal fans. I'll be flying out to St. Paul's international airport (is there any other one?). Where is a good place to stay so that I can use public transportation to get to/from the airport and to/from the game without having to rent a car. Or is it more advisable to rent a car? Especially on game day?

Seeing as how the game is at 11AM, I'm probably going to have to fly in on Friday night. What time should I leave the aforementioned hotel to ensure that I get to the stadium on time?

And lastly is there anywhere I can go after the game to perhaps watch more games and eat food that is not a bar. Unfortunately I'm not 21 yet so bars are out of the question. :(

I've heard a lot about how you Minessota guys are really nice so here's hoping I get to see that first hand!

Thanks!

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Hey Roy,

If you’re coming into Minneapolis/St. Paul International, I’d say look for any hotel near the Mall of America, which is near the airport. There’s a light rail that can take you from the mall or airport to downtown, which is only a mile walk or short taxi ride to campus.

For after the game you could find a lot of good places back in the Mall of America (Hooters is one example that comes to mind :) ) or you could try your luck in Dinkytown on campus or downtown.

Good luck with everything, and I’m sure people will be more than willing to help when you get here!

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Aug 26, 2009 10:34 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

I’m not sure of the availability right now, but within blocks of the stadium, are Days Inn and a Radisson. You could take one cab ride to and from the airport and have plenty of options around the stadium to watch some games. I think your best bet would be the Leaning Tower of Pizza which is right next door to Days Inn. They are a restaurant with bar service to 21+.

Other options:

Stay in downtown (expensive probably), light rail it from airport to hotel both ways (cheap), cab fare would also be cheap
Mall of America route – that BuddyLee posted

by HutchLeaderGuy on Aug 26, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions

Sweet sounds good guys

So no need to rent a car then?

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 26, 2009 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

no need to rent a car

Just make sure you fly into the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport (MSP) and you can get to the game and to a hotel with light rail or a cab (just like the above posters said).

If you can cab it to a Joe Sensors (restaurant/bar) that is the best place to watch sporting events IMO.

by GreasyLlama on Aug 26, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Joe Sensors is pretty good for that, along with what Hutch said about The Leaning Tower of Pizza; it has 15 flat panel TVs everywhere, really good (and cheap) food, and it’s a block away from the stadium. It’ll probably be packed, though..

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Aug 26, 2009 3:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

go the light rail route

Save the cab/car rental money. Then you can party anywhere downtown and just ride the rail to MOA to get to your hotel.

by TheEvilProfessor on Aug 27, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions

Hey Roy! I hope you have a great time on your visit. Are you traveling solo or with just 1 buddy? If so, I’ll lay out a plan for you… this has worked countless times for my friend Lloyd and I as we traveled the country watching college football.

1. Don’t wear you school colors on Friday night (or whatever day you arrive). Save that for Saturday. Dress as you would any other day and wander the campus (maybe stash your luggage in a locker at the student union or simply pack light/just a backpack).
2. Since your not 21, perhaps you could mingle around the dorms or roam the streets of Dinkytown and find a house party. $5 should get you all the beer you want.
3. Strike up conversation with groups of ladies and let them know that you’re a prospective grad-student on a campus visit. Often they’re willing to show you around and may invite you to join them at another party or an after party. At this point, you’re set! You can go to the afer party and stay up into the wee hours and crash on a couch. If you’ve hit it off with a lady, you can share her bed.

(if you slept on a couch or in a lady’s bed, skip to step 5)

4. If it’s 3 AM and you find yourself alone, walk toward the stadium and take the the transit way about a quarter of a mile toward the St. Paul campus and sleep in the bushes there. You can get some sleep and wake up right by the stadium pull on you Cal sweater and go find a tailgate that will offer you some grub. If you did things right, you’ll have no problem sleeping until noon.

(if you you slept in the bushes, no need to read any further)

5. Wake up early while others in the house (including the lady you crashed with) are still sleeping. Make yourself some eggs, toast, etc… (cook for you buddy too, if he’s with you) Grab the last beer and last slice of pizza and get out of there. Go find some coffee and kill the rest of the morning reading the newspaper or find a shady spot to take a nap until tailgating starts. You might even find some house parties starting early in Dinkytown. Good Luck!

by Sir Tipsy McStagger of Minnesota on Aug 28, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions