Refuel, Relax & Explore

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The California Travel and Tourism Commission is pleased to be a part of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California cycling event. Explore our diverse towns and scenic landscape, as the race travels along our stunning coastline, bountiful Central Valley and historic Gold Country. Relax and enjoy arts, shopping and incredible wine and food at all nine stages of the event, and make the most of every California moment!

STAGE 1 - Nevada City to Sacramento, May 16

Nevada City: Gold Town
Channel your creativity in downtown Nevada City. The quaint downtown areas of Nevada City and Grass Valley are thriving.

Inspired by Lance and His Pack? Take a Spin on the American River Trail
Cyclists (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 an 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 during this first stage of the 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 2 - Davis to Santa Rosa, May 17

A Pedaling Paradise for Racers and Rookies
Dubbed by Bicycling Magazine as America’s best small town for cycling, Davis seems almost inevitable as the place to kick off Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California.

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 2 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.

Santa Rosa: Charles Schulz Museum
First, just laugh at Schulz' original work - over 7,000 original "Peanuts" strips are in the Charles Schulz Museum's collection and exhibitions constantly change.

STAGE 3 - San Francisco to Santa Cruz, May 18

Bike San Francisco's Famous Golden Gate Bridge
Walk or bike across the one and only Golden Gate Bridge. With its towers, sweeping cables, and majestic span, the Golden Gate Bridge is certainly one of the world's most beautiful bridges.

Climb High to Alice’s Restaurants
Ultra-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.

Santa Cruz Mountains: Hike to See Ancient Redwoods
Hike to the heavens on the nature trails at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

STAGE 4 - San Jose to Modesto, May 19

Watch Pedal Pushers at San Jose Dining Hot Spots
San Jose turns into cycling heaven during the Amgen Tour of California. Catch the racers whizzing by 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.

Enjoy a Patio View of the Finish at this Cycling-Friendly Modesto Spot
Avid 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 this stage of the race.

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 5 - Visalia to Bakersfield, May 20

Wend Your Way by Foot through Old Visalia
Bikes 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 the Amgen Pros
Take a break from watching the race at picturesque Visalia's local favorite Tazzaria Coffee and Tea, which for many years has served up excellent, roasted-in-house coffee as well as offering a full-service breakfast and lunch deli.

Get to Know Basque Cuisine in Bakersfield
The history of transplanted Basque sheepherders runs deep in Bakersfield. For visitors this means stumbling across an unexpected host of fine Basque restaurants in the California desert.

STAGE 6 - Pasadena to Big Bear Lake, May 21

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 coincide with 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.

Pedal Into the Pines at Big Bear Lake
It’s the consummate summer playground. Situated conveniently in the San Bernardino National Forest , Big Bear Lake is about 110 miles northeast of L.A., far enough away to look like another planet.

STAGE 7 - Los Angeles, May 22

Ride on the High Side in the San Gabriel Mountains
Here’s a chance to sample the same spectacular scenery as the Amgen Tour of California 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.

Take a Knobby-Tire Ride Through Angeles National Forest
The San Gabriel Mountains surrounding Pasadena are etched with great mountain biking trails.

Biking With the Stars in Topanga Canyon
Topanga Canyon, in L.A.'s woodsy Santa Monica Mountains, has long been the filming site of movies and TV shows, as well as home to numerous celebrities.

STAGE 8 - Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills Circuit Race, May 23

Experience Nightlife in the Santa Monica Mountains
The view from 3,111-foot Sandstone Peak-the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains -is breathtaking by day, but it is even lovelier by night.

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