By: California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. Jan. 12, 2009 - With more than 1.6 million spectators expected to attend this year's Amgen Tour of California, February 14-22, California destinations are making it easy and fun for fans to get up close to the action and the athletes.
Host cities and regions are offering lodging packages, recommended restaurants, roadside stands and ideal viewing points on the race route, along with places where spectators can take a spin, and it's all online at www.visitcalifornia.com/tourofcalifornia.
"The Amgen Tour of California is one of the most important and successful cycling races in the United States, and we are honored to have been a partner since its inception," said President and CEO Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission. "Now in its fourth year, the event continues to showcase the beauty and diversity of California, all while introducing the state to millions of potential visitors."
The 2009 Amgen Tour of California is a nine-day, 800-mile race and the first major cycling event of the season. This popular but grueling tour takes professional cyclists through many of California's scenic regions, including its redwoods, Central Valley, wine country and down the Pacific Coast, starting in Sacramento and ending in Escondido.
Prologue Sacramento: Valentine's Day marks the Prologue of the Tour of California, where many spectators will be taking to the streets of the Golden State's capital to catch a glimpse of legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, who will start his first road race on American soil since returning from retirement. The fast, flat 2.4-mile course passes many of Sacramento's landmarks, including the State Capitol, the Capitol Mall and the Tower Bridge, and should take about five minutes to complete. With the start and finish lines only blocks apart, spectators will have the rare opportunity to see their favorite cyclists both begin and end the race. Prior to the 1:30 p.m. start, visitors can take a spin on the nearby paved American River Trail, which winds for 32 miles tracing the course of the American River, starting at Sacramento's Discovery Park. After the race festivities, dinner aboard the Delta King, a 1920s riverboat, is an ideal way to spend Valentine's Day evening. Anchored in Old Town, the boat boasts river views and offers an old-time shipboard ambience and a charming, elegant restaurant in the Pilothouse.
Stage 1 Davis to Santa Rosa: The first stage, February 15, is a new and challenging route that departs Davis, the city Bicycling Magazine named as the "Best Cycling Town in the United States." This route offers flat, fast sections separated by three climbs. The stage culminates with laps of a circuit in downtown Santa Rosa, where the crowds have been among the largest and most boisterous of the entire tour. Spectators can explore Davis on their own prior to the race's noon start via quiet, tree-lined streets with dedicated bike lanes and winding pathways. A must-see is Village Homes on the west side of town with its vegetable plots and chicken coops. Riders can fill up at the Davis Food Co-op, which offers wholesome trail mixes and munchies, breads and organic fruit. Once in Santa Rosa, check out the Charles M Schulz Museum, filled with personal? mementos, gifts and original artwork of the famed Peanuts cartoon creator. For the ultimate farm-to-fork dinner, venture to Zazu Restaurant & Farm, a gourmet roadhouse where chef owners Duskie Estes and John Stewart serve up unique dishes using many ingredients from their own farm.
Stage 2 Sausalito to Santa Cruz: To celebrate President's Day, February 16, the tour will roll out from idyllic Sausalito, and for the first time ever the peloton will ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. After pedaling through the streets of San Francisco, the route heads west down the picturesque California coastline on Highway 1, with riders flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and redwood forests on the other. The finish in Santa Cruz is expected to be swift, settled by the speedy sprinters. Once the finish line is crossed, cycling fans can get some downtime at Natural Bridges State Park, which is an ideal place for tidepool exploration and California's only state park butterfly preserve. Located on scenic West Cliff Drive in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum offers historic photographs, unsinkable vintage redwood surfboards and other items that trace 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. For nighttime excitement, visitors can head to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where they can ride the Giant Dipper, a historic rollercoaster that has thrilled guests for 85 years.
Stage 3 San Jose to Modesto: On February 17, the peloton will ride from San Jose to Modesto, where upon mile five they'll face the menacing Sierra Road, which is 1,930 feet of elevation, along with 40 switchbacks on Calaveras Road, and finally conclude with two laps around a downtown circuit in Modesto. Prior to the noon start, fans can hear about the latest cycling technology and cruise Autograph Alley to get John Hancocks from world-class riders, as well as sample energy food and check out flashy cycling attire. Scott's Seafood on Park Avenue in San Jose provides an aerie perch, six stories above the race route, and is a good place to catch the start. Fans who linger can explore the renowned Tech Museum of Innovation, seek spooky thrills at Winchester Mystery House and enjoy renowned restaurants, shopping and entertainment at trendy Santana Row. While in town fans can also take advantage of the San Jose Cycling Classic, which takes place Feb. 14-22 and features a multitude of events from a Guadalupe River Park Fun Ride and Mini Bike Expo for kids to Bike Safety Training and Maintenance and a local San Jose Hall of Fame of cyclists, Olympians, high school & college teams. In downtown Modesto, the Harvest Moon Restaurant, with its location opposite the finish, is one of the best places to watch the Stage 3 wrap-up. Spectators are advised to grab a table by 2 p.m. to ensure a good view, as well as sample the establishment's signature ultra-fresh crab sandwich. Visitors eager to stretch their legs can pedal along the scenic Stanislaus River paved route, where lush riparian habitat provides shelter for a myriad of migratory songbirds, waterfowl and raptors.
Stage 4 Merced to Clovis: This brand new stage on February 18 welcomes Merced and Clovis as host cities and introduces riders to the grandiose Sierra Mountains, where cyclists will consistently battle hilly and technical terrain in breathtaking mountain scenery before finishing in Old Town Clovis. Only a little over a block form the race start in Merced, Bishop's on the Square gives spectators a great vantage point for watching racers fly by. The restaurant is popular with Merced's thriving cycling community and offers bike racks in the back for guests. The menu focuses on local, sustainable products and is a perfect spot for breakfast, prior to the race's 11 a.m. start, with its creme brulee French toast and locally roasted coffee. Also popular with cyclists is the Corner Cafe in Clovis, where a sidewalk table provides an exceptional view of racers coming into town. Restaurant specialties include the barbecue beef sandwiches, burgers and the Clovis Club sandwich. While waiting for the race action, visitors can explore an acre of the native flora and other plant life uniquely suited to the climate of the San Joaquin Valley at the Clovis Botanical Garden on the Dry Creek Trail.
Stage 5 Visalia to Paso Robles: After a day in the mountains, riders might welcome the long flat roads in Stage 5 from Visalia to Paso Robles on February 19. Although flat, this course is the longest of the race, 130 miles, and passes cattle ranches, horse farms and vineyards before winding back to the coast over rolling hills to a dash for the cash in Paso Robles. In Visalia, downtown's Main Street is one of the best spots to catch the race's 10 a.m. start, but spectators can also take in the historic city on an informal walking tour starting at Fort Visalia, where the first Euro-Americans planted themselves in 1852, and later relaxing with a pint at the Brewbakers Brewing Company and Restaurant. Breakfast at Tazzaria Coffee and Tea is a must, especially with their fluffy egg "whips" made on the espresso machine. Visitors can catch the finish flurry at the historic Paso Robles Inn's front patio or its upstairs saloon, as close as you can get to the Spring Street finish, or from a patio seat at Buona Tavola, just a few blocks down. That night, check into the Cabernet Cottage, a 1940s house decorated with wine country charm, just four blocks from the historic Paso Robles town square and race finish.
Stage 6 Solvang Time Trial: The quiet Danish village of Solvang hosts some of the ProTour teams annually for training camps, as well as some of the largest cycling events in the United States. With the start and finish line only one block apart, Stage 6, February 20, is an ideal location for spectators to view the race. The route highlights the Santa Ynez Valley, winding through small towns, vineyards and farms. Travelers to Solvang can leisurely tour the wineries made famous by the movie "Sideways" or push their limits on a 40-mile hilly workout on the same route used by the world's top professional riders. There are designated, painted bike lanes on many roads, as well as scenic bike paths perfect for families, including a ride that starts at the Mission Santa Ines and takes cyclists past windmills, miniature horses and a playground. Solvang also offers biking hotel packages, such as the Solvang Gardens Lodge cycling package that includes a 27-speed bicycle and helmet, full-day guided tour, gourmet picnic lunch, wine tasting and two nights' accommodations with continental breakfast. Nearby in Buellton, fans can check out the Hitching Post II, made famous in the film "Sideways". Peruse photos from the flick while savoring the scent of the barbecued meats prepared Santa Maria style -- featuring the region's famous method of grilling over an open fire of red oak dating back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros.
Stage 7 Santa Clarita to Pasadena: The course today, February 21, from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, proved to be a difficult stage for tour participants last year, and this year will be no different. The first 25 miles is a gradual climb through Acton and showcases the San Gabriel Mountains at an elevation of 4,906 feet, and then descends to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where the peloton will complete the race with five 5-mile laps on a demanding circuit through the area surrounding the Rose Bowl. Visitors can join the locals after the noon start at Valencia Town Center by heading to nearby B.J.'s Restaurant or Chi-Chi's Pizza, which has been serving pizza and homemade pasta for more than 50 years. Those wanting a workout can take the less grueling fire roads and the paved Mount Gleason Road in Acton to Millcreek Summit atop Mount Gleason, with the chance to sample the same spectacular scenery as the Amgen racers climb into the mountains east of the Los Angeles Basin. Visitors to Pasadena can prep for the arrival of the tour just like a Pasadena local. The first stop is Green Street with its art galleries, shopping and restaurants, along with its brick New Orleans-style buildings. There will be plenty of parking at the Rose Bowl, but spectators are advised to get there early before the streets close (lead racers are expected to arrive after 3 p.m.). A great pit stop prior to the finish is Yahaira's Cafe for their special tostadas to go. Less than a 30-minute drive west from Pasadena takes fans to the playground of the stars, Universal Studios. Nearby Griffith Park Observatory offers the chance to get star struck in an equally exciting way.
Stage 8 Rancho Bernardo to Escondido: Without a doubt, Stage 8, February 22, is considered the most difficult stage of the Tour of California with its four climbs, including the highest point ever reached in the Amgen tour (Palomar Mountain at an elevation of 5,123 feet) and two sprints. Organizers also expect a hard sprint to the finish as winning the final stage of the tour is a prize coveted by riders. Visitors can soak in luxury prior to the race's start at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, a four-diamond resort with its 10,000-square-foot spa, or sample wine at the Bernardo Winery, established in 1889, one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in California. The bikes stop in Escondido and so will thousands of spectators. Visitors can cheer on riders at the Lake Wohlford Road climb and then grab their mountain bikes to cruise through a slice of California history at nearby Daley Ranch, a wilderness preserve with its famous Engelmann oaks. For a less daunting day, spectators may want to relax over a gourmet lunch at 150 Grand, then find a spot near the finish just steps away at Broadway. Escondido's Stone Brewing World Bistro and Garden is a cycling haven with its distinctive cycling jerseys adorned with the brewery's gargoyle logo. The perfect end to an exhilarating day is a good night's sleep while listening to the waves of the ocean at the Crystal Pier Hotel in San Diego, and then a morning ride along the beachfront before heading out. Those staying longer can head east seven miles to San Diego's Wild Animal Park, featuring many interesting opportunities to interact with animals. Or head south 30 miles to San Diego, filled with great attractions like the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $96.7 billion annually in California, support jobs for 924,100 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor's Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.
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