This is the fourth year I have attended the Rose Parade. This is Elena's second year. Everytime we have attended, we leave the morning of the parade and we get curb side seats. Sure, we are not at the beginning of the parade route but the parade still has to pass by us. The only thing we really miss by not being at the beginning of the parade route are some of the "special" tricks and features the floats and bands do for the television cameras. Since we don't have to camp out for a few days, it's not that bad of a price to pay.