SAN DIEGO — Parking is a mess at Qualcomm Stadium, site of the Holiday Bowl. If you are here, or are coming down, bowl folks are urging fans to think of alternative ways to get to the stadium. Hit the trolley or at least car pool. Here is the plea from bowl officials:
With 14,000 spaces for 66,000 seats at Qualcomm Stadium, the parking lot is expected to be full one to two hours before Thursdays Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. Fans planning to drive to the game are urged to carpool and arrive at least two hours before the 7 p.m. kickoff. The parking lot opens at 8 a.m.
The 33rd annual game features the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Washington Huskies. Bowl officials expect a crowd of about 60,000.
The following areas also can be used for event parking, and will serve as overflow lots in the event the Qualcomm Stadium lot fills up:
San Diego State University: From I-8, exit College Avenue and go south. Paid visitor parking is available in designated campus lots. Parking rates vary by location. Take the San Diego Trolley from the SDSU Transit Center to access the Stadium.
Mission City Corporate Center (2365 Northside Drive, adjacent to the stadium): Take Friars Road west to Northside Drive. Parking is $30.
Marriott Mission Valley: Take Friars Rd. and exit Qualcomm Way to Rio San Diego Dr. Parking is $15. Take the San Diego Trolley to access the Stadium from the Rio Vista Station.
Town and Country Hotel: Continue on Friars Rd. West past Fashion Valley Mall and exit Fashion Valley Rd. Parking is $15. Take the San Diego Trolley from the Fashion Valley Station to access the Stadium.
Fans are also asked to consider taking the San Diego Trolley to the game. The San Diego Trolley’s Green and Special Event Lines, with connections to Mission Valley, downtown and East County stops just steps away from the entry gates at Qualcomm Stadium and is a great alternative to driving to the game. For general information, mapping trips and schedules, or to order special Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl Commemorative Day Tripper passes (good for unlimited rides on trolley or bus) visit www.sdmts.com.