VISITING SKATER INFORMATION
ARE YOU A SKATER COMING TO LA TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR TRAINING CAMP OR TO SKATE AGAINST US IN AN INTERLEAGUE BOUT? HERE IS SOME INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO YOU...
El Sereno is the easternmost neighborhood on LA's Eastside. Its neighbors are South Pasadena to the north; Alhambra to the east; Monterey Park to the southeast; City Terrace and East Los Angeles to the south; Boyle Heights to the southwest; Lincoln Heights, Happy Valley, Montecito Heights, and Rose Hill to the west; and Hermon and Monterey Hills to the northeast.
We’re just starting to learn all about our new neighborhood, but we’ve already fallen in love with a few spots. If you’re looking to spend some time in and around the Dollosseum, here are a few tips for visiting our beloved home away from home.
Hotel Accommodations
There are many options depending on price and location that you can choose from when visiting the Dollosseum. Here is a list of hotels we've located using various online resources. Please keep in mind the LA Derby Dolls or the LA Roller Derby Cooperative, Inc. do not directly endorse these hotels/motels and you should use your own discretion when booking.
Titta Inn: People have nice things to say about this affordable place, plus there’s free wifi.
Days Inn Alhambra -- 15 N. First St. Alhambra, CA 91801
Best Western Monterey Park Inn: complimentary continental breakfast and apparently you can work out for free in the nearby 24-Hour Fitness. It’s also next to a grocery store and a movie theatre. (But when do you have time to see a movie?)
Ambassador Inn: Recently remodeled means your fixtures will probably be new and working, but one yelp reviewer swears they have bed bugs, so beware. Others complained about the noise level.
Here, we did some searching on AirBnB for you. You’re welcome. (If you click that and there are no results, that means other people snatched those rooms up.) Try searching nearby neighborhoods Montecito Heights, Alhambra, and Monterey Park.
This is the motel directly across the street from the Dollosseum. Click because you’re curious, not because you plan on staying there. If you click this you are agreeing that you understand you are seeking information about a nearby Super 8 that appears to specialize in one-star reviews. This is your warning.
Public Transportation
Los Angeles does have a Metro system comprised of bus and rail lines. You may use their trip planner at http://mta.net/ to find your way around, or use Google Maps. We also have two options for airports to fly into: The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Burbank Airport - Bob Hope (BUR).
We highly encourage carpooling and using ride-sharing services. We’ve teamed up with Lyft and first-time Lyft users can get your first ride free up to $20. Simply download the app, create an account and enter the code DERBYDOLLS in the ‘Payment’ section. Or, we can text you a download link. Just enter your phone number at https://www.lyft.com/download?code=derbydolls.
Skating Surfaces
Our lovely banked track, designed by Bitchy Kitten at Kitten Traxx, has a painted masonite surface. heels rated 91 - 96 work well depending on how much grip and slide you prefer.. A lot of our skaters are on Atom Lowboys/Jukes, Bones Turbos, Radar Bullet, or Radar Prestos.
Our Dollosseum also has a flat track (not yet standard WFTDA sized). Its surface is unpolished concrete and is on the grippy side. Most of the dolls skate both tracks in the same wheels.
Rules
The LA Derby Dolls play by a banked track standard rule-set established by RDCL (Roller Derby Coalition of Leagues). Our rule-set has similarities to WFTDA’s rule-set, but with modifications that account for the differences between the two surfaces. One of the immediate differences is the layout of the bout. We play 4 quarters of 15mins with 5 min breaks between the 1st/2nd quarters and 3/4 quarters with a 30 min half-time. Please download our rule-set to learn more.
Medical Staff
At every bout we have a Paramedic Team on-site in the case of any emergency. Also, there is an on-site Chiropractor and Physical Therapist if those types of medical issues arise.
Insurance
All skaters must have their own personal medical insurance coverage and be able to show proof of coverage with a valid picture ID to skate in our facilities. We are not covered by WFTDA and USARS insurance.
Our location is: 4900 Alhambra Avenue t, Los Angeles, CA 90032.
Any questions, comments, concerns? Please email trainingcamp@derbydolls.com
So, you've decided to come to visit the LA Derby Dolls at the Dollosseum. And you need stuff to do while you’re here...
First off, are you hungry? Yeah, I saw the Dominos and Yum Yum Donuts too. But those are too easy.
I NEED FOOD:
King Torta: is pretty much an institution. Bonus: walking distance from the Dollosseum.
Troy’s Burgers: also within walking distance.
Cha Cha Chili: Yes, we said Korean YES, WE SAID KOREAN-MEXICAN FUSION. WHY ARE YOU STILL NOT THERE YET?
Mama Churro y Mas: Churros, ice cream and fried chicken. An eight-syllable love letter to you.
The Boiling Crab: 742 W Valley Blvd. Casual, small chain offering boiled-in-bag Cajun-spiced crawfish, oysters, shrimp and other shellfish.
Grill 'Em All: Now you don’t have to find their food truck to get this yummy goodness. These winners of the first season of “The Great Food Truck Race” invite you to come inside and get full.
OTHER PLACES FOR FOOD AND STUFF ON THE CHEAP:
There's a 24-hr Subway on Freemont and Mission in the Kohls shopping square (1201 S Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803). The square also has Starbucks, Jamba Juice and Pick Up Stix.
On Freemont and Commonwealth (2 blocks North from Kohl's) there's an El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell.
On Valley, there's a good sandwich stand called Belly Buster's (1142 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803), about $1-$2 more than Subway (and some say tastes a lot better).
On Main and Freemont, there's a small Italian place called Genovese's (2900 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801) great pizza, salad and sandwiches (but some complain of the very small place and slow service).
There's also Vittoria's Italian (2622 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803) on Freemont and Valley, adjacent to CVS and Jack in the Box.
If you’ve got time for a fifteen-minute drive and want a novelty meal, order the Hollenbeck burrito at Manuel's El Tepeyak, located at 812 N Evergreen Ave Los Angeles, CA...this burrito will feed at least 8 people. (As made famous on No Reservations.)
OKAY, OKAY, I NEED THINGS THAT AREN’T FOOD, PLEASE:
At Freemont & Main, you will find:
Albertson's
Costco
I NEED MORE FITNESS!
Stronghold Climbing Gym: It’s $25 for a day-pass to this fun spot that offers wall climbing and bouldering, plus a gym and…A BREWERY. Everything is clean and pretty and so are the people.
El Sereno Recreation Center: has barbecue pits, a baseball diamond (lighted), basketball courts (lighted/indoor/outdoor), a children’s play area, community room, indoor/outdoor gym (without weights), picnic tables, tennis courts (lighted).
Almansor Park: offers an open grass area, picnic tables with covered shelters, playground equipment, barbecues, restrooms, ball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, exercise par course, meeting room, activity room, gymnasium, outdoor basketball court and jogging course.