09/02/2008 Though dealing with the 90,000 fans who fit in the Coliseum can be trying, you will get your own seat (unlike the Rose Bowl where I've always been stuck on benches), and no matter how high up you have to climb, you should have a decent view of the field and the jumbotron, so you shouldn't miss anything.
The people watching is pretty fantastic, with painted frat boys, sorority girls in t-shirts turned to dresses and adorable little kids dressed up in jerseys and cheerleading uniforms.
The food may not be great and the service is particularly slow and terrible when trying to order any sort of refreshment, but you can bring snacks -- just don't bring a backpack because you'll be turned away at the gate. And even though they don't sell beer anymore, you shouldn't have trouble sneaking in a little something to spice up your soda. Even if you don't bring something along, chances are someone near you did -- and the friendly fans are usually willing to share (I've been offered everything from vodka and rum to kettle corn and cotton candy from complete strangers).
The sheer energy of the place, the people and the team and its ideal location next to SC (perfect for tailgating on campus, where you can use the building bathrooms) are certainly enough to keep me coming back year after year.
Some helpful tips:
1. Don't bother with the paid parking lots. You could easily spend $25 or more and get stuck in the structure for at least an hour after you planned your exit. You can reliably find free street parking in the residential neighborhood west of SC, which is only a 5-15 minute walk from the stadium.
2. Go to the bathrooms on the upper level, inside the Coliseum. They're less crowded than the ones down on ground level and rarely have a wait.
3. Bring warm clothes -- it gets cold and windy when the sun goes down.
4. When the game is over, climb down over the seats instead of dealing with the masses on the steep stairs. You'll get out faster.
5. Consider planning for a post-game tailgate -- it can be a nightmare getting out of the area right after the game. Also take note that if you think you can just go south down Figueroa to get to the 10, they usually block off the left turns to the entrances for quite a few miles. You'd have better luck going south on Vermont.
