Refuel, Relax & Explore
Prologue - Sacramento
Inspired by Lance and His Pack? Take a Spin on the American River TrailCyclists (and joggers and walkers, too) flock to this gorgeous paved pathway, officially called the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail. It winds for 32 scenic miles tracing the course of the American River.
Dine After the Race on a Historic Riverboat
The historic Delta King, anchored in quaint Old Town, boasts pretty river views, an old-time shipboard ambience, and a charmingly elegant restaurant in the Pilothouse, just right for enjoying a romantic brunch or dinner for the Valentine’s Day prologue to the Amgen race.
Combine a Cycling Excursion with an All-Natural Lunch at this Fair Oaks Favorite
Located just off the American River Bike Trail, this quirky, delicious, all-vegetarian Sunflower Natural Foods Restaurant draws an eclectic crowd to its tranquil Old Town Fair Oaks location for the celebrated nutburger and the spicier nutty taco, grilled with onions, bell peppers, and sprouts.
STAGE 1 – Davis to Santa Rosa
A Pedaling Paradise for Racers and RookiesDubbed by Bicycling Magazine as America’s best small town for cycling, Davis seems almost inevitable as the place to kick off Stage 1 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California on February 15.
Nosh on Cake and Coffee at a Longtime Davis Standby
In the bike-crazy town of Davis, just a few blocks from the starting point of Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California, Little Prague Bohemian Restaurant makes the perfect spot for pre-ride pastries and coffee or a post-ride lunch.
STAGE 2 – Sausalito to Santa Cruz
Climb high to Alice’s RestaurantUltra-winding Old La Honda Road can be daunting by car, but by bike, the idyllic 8 miles of roadway stretching from Woodside to the summit at Skyline Boulevard can be a glorious, albeit challenging, ride.
Watch Pedal Pushers at San Jose Dining Hot Spots
San Jose turns into cycling heaven February 17 when the Amgen Lifestyle Festival kicks off the statewide race. Catch the start from an aerie perch at Scott’s Seafood, six stories up above the race route. For a casual bite back on terra firma, try Café Primavera at The Tech Museum of Innovation.
STAGE 3 – San Jose to Modesto
Enjoy a Patio View of the Finish at this Cycling-Friendly Modesto SpotAvid cycling enthusiast Mark Smallwood and his wife Charlyne have owned downtown Modesto’s Harvest Moon Restaurant for 14 years, and its location opposite the finish—not to mention Mark’s excitement about the race—make it the perfect spot to watch the finish of Stage 3.
Pedal Along the Scenic Stanislaus River
You’ve probably seen the Central Valley through your windshield along I-5, so change the view and take a ride along a scenic path skirting the southeast edge of Modesto. The paved route between Claus Road and Kewin Park meanders alongside the Stanislaus River, where lush riparian habitat provides shelter for a myriad of migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors (bring binoculars).
STAGE 4 – Merced to Clovis
Follow the Call of the Foothills near MercedAfter the athletes in the Amgen Tour of California race out of town (Feb. 17), you may feel the yearning for an excursion of your own. The placid countryside surrounding Merced just begs for a bike ride, so pedal eastward along South Bear Creek Drive.
Spot the Amgen Start in Merced at a Local, Sustainable Restaurant
With both a year-round covered patio that seats 75 and an upstairs dining room overlooking Main Street, Bishop’s on the Square —only a little over a block from the race start—gives you a great vantage point for watching racers fly by.
Take an Easy Ride to See the Extreme Side of Cycling
Pedal west on the scenic Clovis Old Town Trail for a morning’s outing to Woodward Park, an open space of trees, wildlife and fish-stocked lakes. Avid cyclists, though, will surely want to check out the new mountain bike park, where dirt jumps, log rides, tire piles, and other rough obstacles challenge the skilled and fearless.
Gather in Clovis with other Cyclists in the Heart of the Amgen Action
Clovis’s sweet Old Town is home not just to the finish of Amgen’s Stage 4, but also to an active cycling community that loves to gather at the Corner Café. Don’t miss the nearby burgeoning Madera Wine trail.
STAGE 5 – Visalia to Paso Robles
Wend Your Way by Foot through Old VisaliaBikes are a great way to explore, but taking time to dismount and explore by foot can uncover local treasures. That’s true in Visalia: take in the historic downtown on this enjoyable, informal walking tour.
Fuel Up with Roasted-in-House Coffee and Breakfast Before Spying Lance and Other Amgen Pros
On February 19, the longest stage of the Amgen Tour of California begins with parade laps through Visalia’s downtown. Take a break from watching for Lance at local favorite Tazzaria Coffee and Tea, which for five years has served up excellent, roasted-in-house coffee as well as offering a full-service breakfast and lunch deli.
See a Flurry of a Finish in Paso Robles
Want to be just yards from the finish of one of Amgen Tour of California’s classic stages? Come February 19, see Stage 5 come to an exciting end from the front patio (or better yet, the upstairs saloon) at the historic Paso Robles Inn.
STAGE 6 – Solvang
A Little Slice of Denmark in CaliforniaFounded in 1911 by Danish educators, this village in the Santa Ynez Valley is a postcard perfect slice of coastal living with a Danish twist. The town is famous for its bakeries and quaint Scandinavian-style hotels, and visitors of all ages will enjoy the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. The surrounding area is popular with wine enthusiasts and features several beautiful golf courses.
Explore the the Central Coast at Alisal Ranch
This celebrated, old western cattle ranch delivers much more than outstanding golf. At Alisal, before-or-after a round, guests enjoy horseback riding, fishing, tennis and a host of family activities.
STAGE 7 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena
Ride on the High Side in the San Gabriel MountainsHere’s a chance to sample the same spectacular scenery as the Amgen racers as they climb into the mountains east of the Los Angeles Basin. The riders will have to see the view during their grueling climb from Santa Clarita to 4,906-foot Millcreek Summit atop Mount Gleason, but you can have a much less taxing workout on a mountain bike.
Prep for the Arrival of the Amgen Tour like a Pasadena Local
Pasadena has long been an enclave of fine dining, shopping, and pretty streets for strolling and shopping. Time your next visit to the February 21finish of Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California, and you’ll have the added excitement of seeing world-class racers whip past as they complete a series of 5-mile laps through the area around the Rose Bowl.
Take a Knobby-Tire Ride through Angeles National Forest
The San Gabriel Mountains surrounding Pasadena are etched with great mountain biking trails. Two local favorites—Arroyo Seca Trail and Brown Mountain Trail, both in Angeles National Forest—start just outside the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Altadena.
Ignore the Obvious (what roller coaster?) and See a Different Side of Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita and Valencia (among locals the names are used interchangeably) are best known as home to Six Flags Magic Mountain, but slip beneath the obvious attractions and you’ll discover mom-and-pop establishments that go back 50 years. Plus, you’ll get a peek at why the area is also known as Hollywood’s back lot.
STAGE 8 – Rancho Bernardo to Escondido
Escondido: The Bikes Stop Here and You Should TooEscondido means hidden in Spanish. But it's the center of the cycling world as the conclusion of Amgen’s 800 miles of climbs, descents, and sprints.
Taste Your Way Through Rancho Bernardo and San Diego
Though more resort town than urban neighborhood, Rancho Bernardo is officially part of San Diego. Base yourself here, then hit spots popular with local cyclists.
