(09-01-2014 12:16 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  I went up to Evanston on a reconnaissance mission Saturday. Got there about 1:15-1:30, drove around about 45 minutes. Here are my observations:

-As stated before, there is no place to tailgate near the stadium, other than the East and West side permit lots. The South Golf lot off Central is definitely permit only. The North Golf lot is $30, NO TAILGATING ALLOWED.

-The St Athanasius School lot just south of Ryan Field is $20, NO ALCOHOL. I guess this in addition to the former no open fires years ago. The lot was 3/4 filled about 1:45, one group tailgating, a Coca-Cola commercial in real life I guess.

-There are a number of residences around, namely just east of Ryan Filed that allow parking on their grass. Did see some Cal people partaking, having beverage.

-I did see about a half dozen groups tailgating in the Metra lot that runs along the East side of tracks. I asked someone what the deal was and they said the just go to the box and pay as usual. I wouldn't exactly recommend for those not tailgating, especially in #'s. Was kind of tight for those tailgating, as no real open area and you would set up behind back end, while it wasn't busy, in the street. But all the way to the South is a dead end, runs into some trees by the creek. Could set up there. Don't think anyone would bother you, didn't seem anyone was having issues.

NORTHWESTERN FREE LOTS:

-The school bus shuttles came by fast and furious. Up and down Sheridan. What was shocking was that at around 1:30, I'd say maybe 1/15 cars had someone tailgating. By 2:00, was almost a ghost town.

-Most of these lots are SMALL and appear mostly unsupervised. Some, I didn't even see a john. For example, the lot on the east side of Sheridan between Library and Garrett (118 on map) is like 100 spots maybe. Lot 104 at the end of Lincoln is tiny. Lot 105 next to it I think is a garage. I didn't see another open lot there, but did see people pulling into a garage. I didn't have a map, so I didn't get to 108. In addition to it being maze like, there is a bit of construction in that area also.

-For what it's worth, it appeared that the lot between Noyes (no-yes) and Haven was the most convenient. It had 6 or 8 johns, about 200 spots I am guessing and the was the heart of where the shuttles were picking people up. I am guessing my group will be there, maybe108. Guessing 108 is the #1 tailgate lot for students since I saw almost no one anywhere else! Looks pretty big, 2x+ bigger than any other lot. If I read their maps right, does appear you need to go back to Sheridan for the shuttle, a couple block+walk.

- I think the drive from Ryan Field to Noyes was about like 1.1, 1.2 miles.

TRAFFIC:

-Believe it or not, was NOT that bad, even shortly before game. Then again, not to may Cal people driving around or tailgating. But I would recommend avoiding Central and taking Noyes or Lincoln. Both moved rather well.

Hope this helps!

The lot between Noyes and Haven looks like 132. I have a feeling I'm going to make a plan, and then end up having to do something else when I get there. I'm going to shoot for 108 or 132.

(09-01-2014 09:16 AM)niubrad00 Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 12:16 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  I went up to Evanston on a reconnaissance mission Saturday. Got there about 1:15-1:30, drove around about 45 minutes. Here are my observations:

-As stated before, there is no place to tailgate near the stadium, other than the East and West side permit lots. The South Golf lot off Central is definitely permit only. The North Golf lot is $30, NO TAILGATING ALLOWED.

-The St Athanasius School lot just south of Ryan Field is $20, NO ALCOHOL. I guess this in addition to the former no open fires years ago. The lot was 3/4 filled about 1:45, one group tailgating, a Coca-Cola commercial in real life I guess.

-There are a number of residences around, namely just east of Ryan Filed that allow parking on their grass. Did see some Cal people partaking, having beverage.

-I did see about a half dozen groups tailgating in the Metra lot that runs along the East side of tracks. I asked someone what the deal was and they said the just go to the box and pay as usual. I wouldn't exactly recommend for those not tailgating, especially in #'s. Was kind of tight for those tailgating, as no real open area and you would set up behind back end, while it wasn't busy, in the street. But all the way to the South is a dead end, runs into some trees by the creek. Could set up there. Don't think anyone would bother you, didn't seem anyone was having issues.

NORTHWESTERN FREE LOTS:

-The school bus shuttles came by fast and furious. Up and down Sheridan. What was shocking was that at around 1:30, I'd say maybe 1/15 cars had someone tailgating. By 2:00, was almost a ghost town.

-Most of these lots are SMALL and appear mostly unsupervised. Some, I didn't even see a john. For example, the lot on the east side of Sheridan between Library and Garrett (118 on map) is like 100 spots maybe. Lot 104 at the end of Lincoln is tiny. Lot 105 next to it I think is a garage. I didn't see another open lot there, but did see people pulling into a garage. I didn't have a map, so I didn't get to 108. In addition to it being maze like, there is a bit of construction in that area also.

-For what it's worth, it appeared that the lot between Noyes (no-yes) and Haven was the most convenient. It had 6 or 8 johns, about 200 spots I am guessing and the was the heart of where the shuttles were picking people up. I am guessing my group will be there, maybe108. Guessing 108 is the #1 tailgate lot for students since I saw almost no one anywhere else! Looks pretty big, 2x+ bigger than any other lot. If I read their maps right, does appear you need to go back to Sheridan for the shuttle, a couple block+walk.

- I think the drive from Ryan Field to Noyes was about like 1.1, 1.2 miles.

TRAFFIC:

-Believe it or not, was NOT that bad, even shortly before game. Then again, not to may Cal people driving around or tailgating. But I would recommend avoiding Central and taking Noyes or Lincoln. Both moved rather well.

Hope this helps!

Very helpful! Thanks. We were looking at the lot at the corner of Sheridan and Noyes. It looks like there are several restaurants a few blocks west of that on Noyes. Do you happen to know if those got overly crowded around lunch time and just before the game. Thinking of walking there for lunch, then walking to the stadium after lunch.

Didn't go that far down Noyes. Col Mustards was a nut house, as well as anything near stadium. Couple bars to west on Central looked packed

We actually were going to go to Tommy Nevins. They had Cal signs everywhere and they had a pregame there, although it seemed about a dozen weren't going to make it. They must have rented whole place, since only 2 wall flower old guys were they only ones in there. Place was a disaster and all help was cleaning and didn't even say a word to us, see if they could get us a beer.

Did see shuttles picking people up downtown near the Subway, across from Bar Louie.

(09-01-2014 09:32 AM)niu50yrdline Wrote:  

(09-01-2014 12:16 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:  I went up to Evanston on a reconnaissance mission Saturday. Got there about 1:15-1:30, drove around about 45 minutes. Here are my observations:

-As stated before, there is no place to tailgate near the stadium, other than the East and West side permit lots. The South Golf lot off Central is definitely permit only. The North Golf lot is $30, NO TAILGATING ALLOWED.

-The St Athanasius School lot just south of Ryan Field is $20, NO ALCOHOL. I guess this in addition to the former no open fires years ago. The lot was 3/4 filled about 1:45, one group tailgating, a Coca-Cola commercial in real life I guess.

-There are a number of residences around, namely just east of Ryan Filed that allow parking on their grass. Did see some Cal people partaking, having beverage.

-I did see about a half dozen groups tailgating in the Metra lot that runs along the East side of tracks. I asked someone what the deal was and they said the just go to the box and pay as usual. I wouldn't exactly recommend for those not tailgating, especially in #'s. Was kind of tight for those tailgating, as no real open area and you would set up behind back end, while it wasn't busy, in the street. But all the way to the South is a dead end, runs into some trees by the creek. Could set up there. Don't think anyone would bother you, didn't seem anyone was having issues.

NORTHWESTERN FREE LOTS:

-The school bus shuttles came by fast and furious. Up and down Sheridan. What was shocking was that at around 1:30, I'd say maybe 1/15 cars had someone tailgating. By 2:00, was almost a ghost town.

-Most of these lots are SMALL and appear mostly unsupervised. Some, I didn't even see a john. For example, the lot on the east side of Sheridan between Library and Garrett (118 on map) is like 100 spots maybe. Lot 104 at the end of Lincoln is tiny. Lot 105 next to it I think is a garage. I didn't see another open lot there, but did see people pulling into a garage. I didn't have a map, so I didn't get to 108. In addition to it being maze like, there is a bit of construction in that area also.

-For what it's worth, it appeared that the lot between Noyes (no-yes) and Haven was the most convenient. It had 6 or 8 johns, about 200 spots I am guessing and the was the heart of where the shuttles were picking people up. I am guessing my group will be there, maybe108. Guessing 108 is the #1 tailgate lot for students since I saw almost no one anywhere else! Looks pretty big, 2x+ bigger than any other lot. If I read their maps right, does appear you need to go back to Sheridan for the shuttle, a couple block+walk.

- I think the drive from Ryan Field to Noyes was about like 1.1, 1.2 miles.

TRAFFIC:

-Believe it or not, was NOT that bad, even shortly before game. Then again, not to may Cal people driving around or tailgating. But I would recommend avoiding Central and taking Noyes or Lincoln. Both moved rather well.

Hope this helps!

The lot between Noyes and Haven looks like 132. I have a feeling I'm going to make a plan, and then end up having to do something else when I get there. I'm going to shoot for 108 or 132.

Yes, it is 132.

Switching it up to lot 104. Anyone else going to be going to that lot?

(09-05-2014 07:17 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  Switching it up to lot 104. Anyone else going to be going to that lot?

That might be my 2nd choice if 108 is full. Where is 104?

To the right of the stadium. On the corner of Lincoln and campus. Right by the water.

Anybody else buy a pass and is in the north golf lot?

I will be working tomorrow until around 11:30. I work in the city so I was wondering if y'all had any recommendations on what I should do. I have two options. First, I can drive out to lakeview by my old apartment and park there and then take the purple line out to Evanston. This will get me close to the stadium, no? Or second, I can go straight from work out to Evanston. I would probably get there around noon. Do you think that would be too late for me to find a parking spot in one of the lots? Not really looking to tailgate, just park and head over to the game. Thanks for any suggestions