Home | Amgen Tour of California
- ROUTE 2018
- COMPETITION
- THE RACE
- WATCH/ATTEND
- HOST CITIES
- SHOP
- FAN FORUM
BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER® T-SHIRT
STETINA RETURNS
RIDER ARTICLES
T-SHIRT WINNER"
BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER® T-SHIRT
STETINA RETURNS"
RIDER ARTICLES
T-SHIRT WINNER"
BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER® T-SHIRT
STETINA RETURNS
RIDER ARTICLES
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LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
LONG BEACH
Long Beach is the southernmost coastal city in Los Angeles County and California’s seventh largest with nearly half a million residents. Exhibiting these characteristics, Long Beach mixes the excitement of an urban metropolis with a California beach environment like no other place in the state. Its beach stretches nearly four miles from the iconic French chateau high-rise Villa Riviera to the charming canals of Naples. Exploring the many facets of Long Beach, it becomes apparent that this is a place of interesting contrasts.
The story of Long Beach began with two Mexican ranchos in the 1830s, Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos. For the next fifty years, Long Beach was a rancher’s world. That is until real estate developers started eyeing more lucrative capitalist ventures in the 1880s. Progress continued incrementally until the Pacific Electric trolley arrived in 1902, ushering in an eight-year title as America’s fastest growing city. For the next three decades, Long Beach solidified its identity through architecture, first as a beachside commercial resort and then again after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake largely destroyed it in 1933.
Americas Best Value Inn & Suites - Fontana
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
San Francisco Marriott Marquis Union Square
Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hilton Los Angeles-Universal City
San Diego Marriott Marquis And Marina
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
As one explores Long Beach, the abundance of art, aquatics, and bicycles get repeated like Peter Sagan’s wins. Buildings like the terracotta Farmers and Merchants Bank Tower, the Cooper Arms, Villa Riviera, and Campbell Apartments illustrate the high-style
2018 HOST CITY OVERVIEW
The 2018 Host Cities include the return of fan and race team favorites, long-time veterans like San Jose and Sacramento, and two first-time destinations: Ventura and King City. A favored site for the women’s race, South Lake Tahoe will once again host the men for the Stage 6 finish and welcome back the women for the fourth year in a row. The peloton will revisit Stockton and Long Beach for the first time in 11 years, with the men’s overall start overlooking the beautiful Long Beach Waterfront. Folsom returns as a third-time host for an epic stage through the Sierra Nevada mountains. The exciting overall conclusion of both races on the same day in the State Capitol of Sacramento will provide spectators the opportunity to cheer on favorites across both fields.
The Westin Los Angeles Airport
The Welk By Vacation Club Rentals
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey
Fairfield By Marriott Anaheim Resort
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
The London West Hollywood At Beverly Hills
Hyatt House At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles
San Francisco Marriott Union Square
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
Embassy Suites By Hilton Anaheim South
San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
Residence Inn By Marriott At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Hyatt Regency La Jolla At Aventine
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
Hyatt Place At Anaheim Resort/Convention Center
Anaheim Portofino Inn & Suites
Sofitel Los Angeles At Beverly Hills
Andaz West Hollywood-A Concept By Hyatt
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
Pacific Palms Resort And Golf Club
Mondrian Los Angeles In West Hollywood
Jw Marriott San Francisco Union Square
VENTURA
Doubletree Suites By Hilton Anaheim Resort-Convention Center
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
Embassy Suites By Hilton San Diego La Jolla
Residence Inn San Diego La Jolla
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco On Union Square
Andaz San Diego - A Concept By Hyatt
The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Four Points By Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview
Homewood Suites By Hilton Anaheim Conv Ctr/Disneyland Main
Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach
Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
Courtyard By Marriott San Diego Downtown
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel And Spa
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
Andaz Napa - A Concept By Hyatt
Doubletree By Hilton Berkeley Marina
Doubletree By Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
Courtyard By Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
GBRALTAR ROAD AT SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Start the day in Santa Barbara County with a sunrise horseback ride through the oak-dotted hills of Santa Ynez and close with a picturesque beach sunset sipping a glass of local Pinot Noir. In between, hit the links overlooking the Pacific Ocean and immerse yourself in timeless architecture. These are not dreams, but reality in Santa Barbara County.
At the heart of Santa Barbara’s community is a diversity unlike anywhere else in California. Celebrations throughout the county like the annual Chumash Pow-Wow, Old Spanish Days Fiesta, Solvang’s Danish Days, country rodeos, and an international film festival illustrate this cultural range. Even the county fair has been thrilling residents since 1891. This cultural variety is also exhibited through the County’s exquisite celebration of history, agriculture, and recreation, which intersect to make Santa Barbara County truly unique.
Four Points By Sheraton San Diego
Jw Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live
Four Points By Sheraton Anaheim
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica
Springhill Suites By Marriott At Anaheim Resort Area/Convention Center
Courtyard By Marriott Santa Monica
The Inn At Rancho Santa Fe, A Tribute Portfolio Ho
Marriott Riverside At The Convention Center
Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport
Beach Retreat & Lodge At Tahoe
Holiday Inn Los Angeles - Lax Airport
The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
San Mateo Marriott San Francisco Airport
Green Tree Inn And Extended Stay Suites
Hyatt Centric Fisherman'S Wharf San Francisco
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, An Ihg Hotel
Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Courtyard By Marriott Palm Springs
Residence Inn By Marriott Long Beach
Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport - South San Francisco
Embassy Suites By Hilton Irvine-Orange County Airport
Aloft Santa Clara - San Jose North
The Clancy, Autograph Collection
Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, San Francisco
Visalia Marriott At The Convention Center
Skyview Los Alamos - 21 & Over Pool
W Los Angeles - West Beverly Hills
Cortona Inn And Suites Anaheim Resort
Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
Embassy Suites By Hilton Anaheim-Orange
The Atwood Hotel San Diego - Seaworld/Zoo
Hilton Woodland Hills/ Los Angeles
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valle
Santa Barbara County is rich with a cultural history that started thousands of years ago. Beginning with the Chumash, who first inhabited these shores, to the 19th and 20th century architects who defined Santa Barbara’s modern but classic visual style, history is everywhere. Santa Barbara is The American Riviera®, where modern California luxury meets understated Old World elegance. Among the County’s iconic landmarks are the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, both of which are designated National Historic Landmarks. For a different feel, venture north to Los Alamos where Bell Street antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants among a late 19th-century hotel, are reminders of this former Pacific Coast Railway depot.
With culture and history as its backbone, agriculture adds the spice to Santa Barbara County. The Pacific Ocean breeze drifts through the sloping hills and mountains of the County’s six American Viticultural Areas to create some of the world’s most exciting wines. Meanwhile, Lompoc is known as the Flower Seed Capital of the World and Carpinteria is home to the California Avocado Festival every October.
Recreational opportunities abound from sailing and sea kayaking to paragliding. And cycling is a celebrated pastime here: Miles of rolling terrain make Santa Barbara County an ideal place for two-wheeled adventure. Front country canyons and scenic hiking trails are close to downtown Santa Barbara while camping at Lake Cachuma and El Capitan State Beach offer a more secluded respite from city life. Further north, surfers ride the waves and sunbathers relax at Jalama Beach, Ocean Beach, or Rancho Guadalupe Dunes. Sunset Magazine named these “three Santa Barbara beaches with big scenery and no crowds.” Further south, check out Rincon Beach Park for “the best point break in California” according to DEEP Surf Magazine and the annual Rincon Classic surf competition.
Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center
San Francisco Marriott Fisherman'S Wharf
Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort
Vea Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa
Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
Best Western Plus Stovall'S Inn
Best Western Plus Santa Barbara
Hilton Los Angeles North-Glendale & Executive Meeting Center
Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport Newport Beach
Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection
Embassy Suites By Hilton Palm Desert
Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, An Ihg Hotel
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown Soma
Courtyard By Marriott Marina Del Rey
Jamaica Bay Inn Marina Del Rey Tapestry Collection By Hilton
Hyatt House San Diego Sorrento Mesa
Santa Barbara County and the Amgen Tour of California and are an ideal match. In fact, the Tour has finished eight stages here since its inception. Of those, an American has won seven. That is until 2016. For the second time in three years, the peloton will finish atop the iconic Gibraltar Road climb at La Cumbre Peak in 2018. Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe won here in 2016, catapulting him into the leader’s jersey and the Tour’s overall victory. Closing Stage 2 of the 2018 Amgen Tour of California, the Gibraltar finish is sure to once again define the race.
KING CITY
King City is a relatively new host for the Amgen Tour of California. The race sped through town as the peloton raced from Paso Robles to Monterey in 2011. This year, it will play host for the first time and bring attention to this small farming town located at the southern end of the picturesque Salinas Valley of Monterey County. The area is a thriving agricultural region made famous by the writings of John Steinbeck. The City lies 155 miles south of San Francisco and 277 miles north of Los Angeles on the famed Highway 101, providing convenient access to many different areas of California.
Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown
Courtyard Los Angeles Westside
Marriott'S Shadow Ridge Ii - The Enclaves
Kings Inn Anaheim At The Park & Convention Center
Four Points By Sheraton - Pleasanton
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley
Doubletree By Hilton San Pedro
Embassy Suites By Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Santa Monica
Embassy Suites By Hilton Los Angeles International Airport South
Laguna Hills Lodge-Irvine Spectrum
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Rancho Bernardo
Doubletree By Hilton Sacramento
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Bakersfield Marriott At The Convention Center
La Serena Villas - Adults Only 21 & Up
King City was named for founder Charles King, who came here in 1884. At that time, the Valley looked very different than it does today. Because the Salinas River fluctuated wildly from season to season, maps identified this as “the great Salinas desert.” Yet King recognized it’s potential. Where livestock grazing was the norm, King planted wheat and his successes proved critics wrong. King’s cash crop even attracted the attention of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1886. Success bred development and slowly, King City started to change the trajectory of the Salinas Valley.
Today, King City is a friendly and close-knit community of about 14,000 people. The community features beautiful mountain views, tree-lined streets, and a quaint historical downtown. While one of its greatest assets is the peaceful small town environment, there is also much to choose from for local entertainment and recreation. Enjoy a round at the King City Golf Course or a swim at the community pool complex, eat at one of the many downtown restaurants, or visit one of several local parks. San Lorenzo County Park features a number of historical museums and buildings to visit, camping, picnic areas, and hiking trails.
Annual events include a Christmas Parade, 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, and the El Grito Festival. King City is home to the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds and Annual Salinas Valley Fair. Sol Treasures and the Stagehands promote the arts through local theatre, music and dance productions, as well as regular art exhibits and programs. Many of the performances take place at the Robert Stanton Performing Arts Theatre, built in 1939 with sculpturing by Jo Mora. No matter when you visit, there is likely to be a fun event being sponsored by one of the many local community groups and organizations.
Doubletree By Hilton Claremont
El Rancho Inn, Signature Collection
Travelodge By Wyndham San Francisco Airport North
Hampton Inn San Diego-Kearny Mesa
Embassy Suites By Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport
Courtyard By Marriott Oakland Airport
Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
Hyatt House San Jose-Silicon Valley
Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
Alamo Inn And Suites - Convention Center
Hotel Indigo Anaheim, An Ihg Hotel
Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport - Waterfront
Four Points By Sheraton Los Angeles Westside
One only needs to venture a short distance outside of King City to find a wide range of adventures. King City serves as one of the gateways to the amazing Pinnacles National Park. A few minutes to the north is the Santa Lucia Highlands, the heart of the Monterey wine region, featuring unique wine tasting opportunities with views of the Valley and the Pinnacles. Meanwhile, Nacimiento Lake and San Antonio Lake recreation areas are also easily accessible within a short trip.
Steinbeck tours are popular for literature fans visiting the area. John Steinbeck had strong ties with King City. In 1890 his father settled here, met his wife, Olive Hamilton, and developed his skills in bookkeeping and in the flour mill business. King City is featured in East of Eden and several of Steinbeck’s novels.
SAN JOSE / MORGAN HILL
San Jose and Morgan Hill are hosting the Stage 4 Individual Time Trial for the 2018 Amgen Tour of California. Both cities reflect the inspiration of old California in different ways, while similarly embracing the progressive nature of Silicon Valley’s creative soul. San Jose is a city built on creativity and the artistic expression of a diverse population that has changed the world. Situated just 10 miles south of San Jose, Morgan Hill shares a rich entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for innovation with a history of farming and manufacturing. Morgan Hill offers the ideal balance between jobs, housing, world-class wineries, recreation and open space within Silicon Valley.
Morgan Hill’s historic downtown has retained its small-town charm; hosting one of the Bay Area’s oldest (since 1876) Fourth of July Parades, free Friday Night Concerts in the summer, charming boutiques, and dozens of restaurants (a Michelin Star Chef venue and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence eatery which attract visitors throughout the Bay Area!). By following the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail, visitors can enjoy over 30 boutique and award-winning wineries from the oldest commercial wine-producing region in California. Residents and visitors have many options for year-round recreational activities such as cycling, golfing, swimming, boating, horseback riding, fishing and hiking at Henry W. Coe State Park (the largest state park in Northern California), the Coyote-Lake Harvey Bear Ranch Park, or Anderson Lake County Park. But don’t let the small-town feel fool you. Morgan Hill is a flourishing center of industry that has long placed priority upon cultivating a way of life where business and community thrive together.
Courtyard By Marriott Irvine Spectrum
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Mission Valley/Stadium
Home2 Suites By Hilton Los Angeles Montebello
Four Points By Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort
The Laurel Inn, Part Of Jdv By Hyatt
Homewood Suites By Hilton Palm Desert
Fireside Inn On Moonstone Beach
Doubletree By Hilton Buena Park
Doubletree By Hilton San Francisco Airport
Intercontinental The Clement Monterey
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport
As the larger of the two, San Jose is a city of numbers. It originated as California’s first city. Then it became the state’s first capitol. Over time, it grew, but it wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s when San Jose and the surrounding area, collectively known as Silicon Valley, exploded meteorically. During those decades, the population of San Jose grew 350% and became arguably the center of the modern age. While an emphasis is placed on the city’s more recent advancement, the causes are much older and pervasive of a place that’s exhilarating to live in and visit - inspiring success with principles that are also key to the Breakaway from Hearty Disease and Breakaway from Cancer.
The Spanish founded San Jose in 1777 as the Pueblo of San Jose de Guadalupe. The city’s location at the southern end of San Francisco Bay provided San Jose with the best of both worlds – abundant and rich agricultural soil within easy reach of one of the world’s great ports. The result was a place where innovation took root in a welcoming and unassuming way. As early as the early 20th century, a global fascination with airplanes and blimps included contributions from Santa Clara University professor John Montgomery. Period modernizations also included creating efficiencies in the agricultural and food processing industries. By World War II, the need for greater industrialization spurred a shift from an agricultural to manufacturing economy, especially related to military-related efforts.
As one of the state’s largest metropolitan areas, and with a sizeable population of cycling enthusiasts, the Amgen Tour of California returns to San Jose in 2018 for the twelfth time in the race’s thirteen-year history. It is the first time that Morgan Hill hosts the Tour, although the 2013 Time Trial skirted the city’s northern boundaries. For its part, San Jose has hosted a finish on eight occasions with two being individual time trials. Both times San Jose hosted the individual time trial, the stage’s winner went on to win the race overall. In 2006, Floyd Landis put his stamp on Stage 3 and never looked back. In 2013, American Tejay van Garderen took first place and solidified his lead for the overall 2013 tour win. This 2018 Time Trial proves to be just as crucial.
In San Jose and Morgan Hill conservation values reign with a vigor that still reflects the scenic legacy to which the larger region owes its genetic makeup. It’s a refreshingly new take on the Silicon Valley you thought you knew.
STOCKTON
Imagine a place with a hot summer Mediterranean climate, a thriving historic core, walk-able port, and a world-class cultural scene. This isn’t Barcelona or Marseille, but Stockton - a diamond in the California Delta rough that is well worth a visit. For the third time, the city will host a start of the Amgen Tour of California. In 2007, Stage 3 started on Stockton’s waterfront and traversed the Diablo Ridge into San Jose where fan favorite Jens Voigt won the day. While the 2018 Stage 5 start headed north, its 2019 Stage 3 again travels towards the coast like 2007, but this time finishes a little further south in Morgan Hill. As the Amgen Tour of California has demonstrated, Stockton is a centrally-located cultural hub that is hard to miss.
Ramada By Wyndham Santa Barbara
Courtyard By Marriott Santa Rosa
La Quinta By Wyndham Paso Robles
Fullerton Marriott At California State University
Hilton Garden Inn Sacramento/South Natomas
Doubletree By Hilton Fresno Convention Center
Motel 6-Anaheim, Ca - Maingate
Stockton may be the third largest city in the inland San Joaquin Valley, but its harbor-front location may shock even long-time Californians. The San Joaquin is known as the “food basket of the world” thanks to a combination of perfect soil and climate. Amid the otherwise waterless landscape, Stockton lies at the furthest reaches of the California Delta, which connects with San Francisco Bay. Amid this sprawling water world is Stockton. The city was founded by an opportunist German immigrant who came for gold and found it in trading goods. It was Stockton’s river accessibility that made it a crucial harbor, first to the riches of the Sierra mines and then San Joaquin agriculture. A Depression-era port modernization and expansion even led the Navy to establish a supply center here during World War II.
With thousands of miles of waterways in and around the city, Stockton is literally an oasis. The newly developed waterfront promenade is a serene place to float in a kayak, sip regional brews and wine, or enjoy local farm fresh products. Stockton is a large sprawling town, but at its core is a historic treasure trove of buildings. In less than one quarter-square mile, there are no less than eleven buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, displaying a wide spectrum of the city’s history. From the Sperry Union Flour Mill to the appropriately named Farmer’s and Merchant’s Bank, Stockton is a larger-than-life exhibit. Such businesses have come and gone, but the Diamond Foods Corporation is one of the remaining Stockton producers who has grown from a small cooperative of walnut growers into a company known today for its national brands of chips, popcorn, and nuts.
The diversity of produce that has historically flowed through Stockton is symbolic of the city’s rich cultural heritage. Aside from being the hometown of singer Chris Isaak and Marvel’s Fantastic Four, Dave Brubeck got his start at the University of the Pacific and Bob Hope was a frequent visitor. The historic Fox Theater in downtown now bears the legendary comedian’s name and is still an iconic venue to catch a show. The visual arts are strongly represented by the illustrious Haggin Museum, which boasts the central valley’s largest fine art collection in a relaxing and spacious park environment. But the cultural heritage of Stockton is best exemplified at one of its many annual festivals. Here, the city’s historic melting pot produces an international feel on par with the world’s leading cities. Whether this be the annual Chinese New Year’s Parade, the Cambodian New Year, Greek Festival, or Colombian Independence Day celebration, Stockton has been a welcoming and vibrant spot since its Gold Rush days. True to this custom, the Amgen Tour of California’s riders and fans are sure to feel at home in this global city.
ELK GROVE
Nestled between the Sacramento and the Cosumnes River, Elk Grove was known for its shady oak trees and acorns which attracted tule elk to this lush environment. These same elements brought settlers, from the Miwok Indians to the Spanish and then Mexican rancheros. The groves and elk were still around when the Gold Rush started in 1848. Almost immediately, hundreds of thousands of prospectors rushed to find wealth in the Sierra Nevadas. To serve the needs of travelers and trade, James Hall built a stagecoach stop and hotel here in 1850, naming it Elk Grove.
For much of its history, Elk Grove remained rural in nature. Even today, the northeastern part of town is busy with small livestock and farms that complement the more modern residential developments that have appeared in the past thirty years. In fact, Elk Grove was the country’s fastest growing city in 2004 and 2005, ahead of Las Vegas. In between these two worlds is Old Town Elk Grove, a National Register of Historic Places Historic District that has always been the heart of this small community. The historic district is a nice collection of late 19th and early 20th century buildings anchored by the classic General Store and 100F Hall, both of which were constructed in the late 1800s.
Courtyard By Marriott Pleasanton
Hilton Garden Inn Lax - El Segundo
Motel 6-Salinas, Ca - South - Monterey Area
Courtyard By Marriott Paso Robles
Ramada By Wyndham San Diego National City
With nary a hill to be found, Elk Grove offers flat, fast terrain connecting riders to the Delta, wine country, and urban destinations. Elk Grove is the second largest city in Sacramento County with a population exceeding 171,000 residents. With a proud heritage and an even brighter future, the City of Elk Grove was ranked California’s fastest growing city in 2016 and the 11th fastest growing city in the U.S. (WalletHub). Elk Grove is quickly becoming the place more millennials are coming to buy homes and raise their families – ranking second in the country for Millennial Homebuyers (SmartAsset, 2017). And it’s no wonder. Elk Grove’s family-friendly lifestyle includes top performing schools, 95 parks, nearly 30 miles of bicycle and walking trails, and a variety of year-round markets, street fairs, concerts, and festivals. Elk Grove is a lively city that welcomes visitors and new neighbors.
Whatever your interests, Elk Grove possesses an extensive biking network that makes for an idyllic way to experience the town and its diverse attractions. Set out on a scavenger hunt to find all seventeen of Elk Grove’s public art installments. Or stop off at Rain Garden Plaza. Located in the heart of modern residential developments, this is the first comprehensive large-scale rain garden in California, a tranquil open space and garden that serves as a magnet for wildlife while teaching the community about the conservation of our natural resources.
From its Old Town District to the California Northstate University campus, Elk Grove is an eclectic blend of the past, present and future. A mix of Zagat–rated restaurants, hotels, and shopping opportunities provide places to shop, dine, stay and play in Elk Grove. But perhaps Elk Grove’s biggest asset is its people. Travel through the city and you may hear some of the 88 languages and dialects spoken by its residents. The city celebrates its diversity and was recognized as the 7th Most Racial and Ethnically Diverse City in the U.S. in 2015 (WalletHub).
Elk Grove is proud to welcome the 2018 Amgen Tour of California to the place that we call home.
FOLSOM
In the foothills of the Sierras and alongside the American River, Folsom is Distinctive By Nature. Folsom Dam created Folsom Lake in 1956 and created over 11,000 acres of pure water fun. For off-water excitement, the 32-mile American River Bike Trail starts at the lake and meanders its way completely paved and off-road into Sacramento. For a more strenuous workout, ride the popular 50-mile course “around the lake” and into the Gold Country foothills. Or enjoy the city’s own network of 95 miles of scenic trails. Whatever your pick, the combined scenery of open space, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and creeks or streams is a rewarding way to experience Folsom.
The Amgen Tour of California will experience this temperate climate, incomparable views, and sizeable hills that make this part of California so popular with cyclists. The last two times the Tour visited Folsom, in 2014 and 2016, the stage was a short individual time trial through town and around the famous prison. In 2014, Bradley Wiggins blew the field away with a 44 second victory over Rohan Denis. Two years later, the Australian had his revenge and won on the same route. That same year, the Amgen Tour of California Women's Race also featured a thrilling Team Time Trial as Amgen Tour of California Ambassador Kristin Armstrong emerged victorious with her Team Twenty16 teammates.
Worldmark San Diego - Mission Valley
Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn
Like most towns in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Folsom’s history is inevitably tied to the Gold Rush. In fact, prospectors were here several years before the discovery at Sutter’s Mill. Originally called Granite City, Army Captain Joseph Folsom purchased the property in 1848 with the vision of prospering as a railroad town. The railroad finally arrived in 1856, by which point the town had been renamed in honor of its founder. The “Heart of Folsom” has always been and continues to be Sutter Street. Remains of the old west can be seen in the timber storefronts that mix with later 19th century brick buildings. Not long after, the Lincoln Highway brought more visitors through town and revived Sutter Street as part of America’s first transcontinental railroad.
Few places can enjoy such veneration for their place in popular culture as Folsom. The indelible Johnny Cash first sang about being “stuck in Folsom Prison” in 1955, making this city of close to 80,000 residents a cultural icon that has much more to offer beyond its infamous associations. Folsom Prison opened in 1880 to relieve overcrowding at San Quentin. Most notably, the prison’s impenetrable stone walls remain an impressive symbol. Cash performed here in 1968 and re-invigorated his career with a broader audience. The Folsom Prison Museum is a great place to dive into the varied history of the state’s second oldest prison. Looking for a more engaging experience? The City of Folsom is embracing this historical link with a recently opened 2.5-mile Johnny Cash Trail for pedestrians and bicycles.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
At an elevation of over 6,000 feet, South Lake Tahoe is an alpine center built around enjoying the Sierra’s sapphire lake. Upon seeing the lake for the first time, generations have gone speechless with awe-inspiring splendor. As only Mark Twain could do, he beautifully captured these timeless sentiments - “a noble sheet of blue water … walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks … it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” With only a few words, Twain touched on the two reasons for Tahoe’s eternal appeal: towering mountains and water.
Hilton Garden Inn San Bernardino
Tahoe is known for its distinctive deep blueish hue, which scientists attribute to a rare lack of algae. The mantra “Keep Tahoe Blue” has adorned bumper stickers since 1957 - indeed, Tahoe has been getting bluer. Water skiing, kayaking, boating, and of course fishing are perfect ways to become one with the water, but with a summer water temperature of 65.7 degrees, South Lake Tahoe is especially known for its refreshing and sun-drenched Pope and El Dorado beaches.
From the lakeshore, mountains occupy a powerfully panoramic view. Regardless of the season, South Lake Tahoe and its slopes are a paradise purposely built for lake views. The town of South Lake Tahoe originally formed around Nevada’s gaming industry. Only a decade after the first casino opened in 1944, the Heavenly Valley Resort welcomed its first skiers. Receiving an annual 360-inches of powder, the Tahoe region became the capital of high-mountain skiing in the U.S. after hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. At Heavenly, skiers enjoy the best of two worlds as the only bi-state slopes in the U.S. In summer, South Lake is alive on equally scenic hiking trails. From town, moderate hikes to Angora Lakes, Cold Creek, and Fallen Leaf Lake offer backcountry beauty. For a more challenging climb, tackle the 10,000 foot climb to the top of Mount Tallac. This 10.2-mile (round-trip) hike rises nearly 3,500 feet and is not for beginners. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with an immaculate and incomparable view of the lake and surrounding Sierras.
Lake Tahoe is just as California as Big Sur and high surfs. It is a natural destination for the Amgen Tour of California. In 2019, the race makes an early visit to the high mountains with a Stage 2 finish that is sure to split the field for the overall classification. For the race and riders alike, however, Tahoe has proven to be elusive - just as trying for the legs as it is the logistics. Yet it is cycling’s nature to seek the elusive and Tahoe is the Amgen TOC’s pinnacle peak. The inaugural years of the Amgen TOC sidestepped Lake Tahoe due to February weather. Even when the race moved to May, Tahoe proved that it could not be tamed, and lingering snowfall prevented its first stage. Since then, rare visits have made this a highly anticipated portion of any Amgen Tour of California. The 2016 edition finished Stage 5 in South Lake Tahoe with Toms Skujins leading an impressive field while Egan Bernal solidified his dominance in the 2018 race. The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race empowered with SRAM has made South Lake Tahoe a more permanent fixture, giving these impressive riders a chance to demonstrate their abilities on the state’s biggest stage. One thing is for sure, South Lake Tahoe’s roads are not just for professionals. This is a fantastic place to venture out and discover why USA Today name Tahoe “America’s Best Lake” in 2012. After all, there is a reason this place is called Heavenly.
SACRAMENTO
The 2019 Amgen Tour of California starts where it left off in 2018. Like it has on four other occasions, California’s Capital will host the overall start of the race before proceeding on a north-south trajectory. For the sprinters, a Sacramento stage means one thing – a fast technical finish and an opportunity for a win. If Fernando Gaviria has anything to say about it, this will be another stage win for the dominating Colombians, who made quite the impression in 2018. Besides Gaviria, the list of Sacramento winners is an international list of cycling royalty that includes names like Cancellara, Boonen, Kittel, and Cavendish.
The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport Lax
Claremont Club & Spa - A Fairmont Hotel
Hilton Parc 55 San Francisco Union Square
Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel
The Westin San Francisco Airport
Warner Center Marriott Woodland Hills
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa
Holiday Inn Hotel And Suites Anaheim
Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront
Both the Amgen Tour of California and the Golden State’s Capital have become internationally known, now going hand in hand. While Sacramento started as a frontier outpost accommodating a diverse group of national and international entrepreneurs and opportunists, it since has grown into a thriving metropolis of just under half a million residents. But some things never change. In fact, Time magazine named Sacramento “America’s Most Diverse City” in 2002. Truth be told, its tradition of diversity touches all corners of society, from its assorted historical background to neighborhood and iconic architecture, world-renowned food, walkable community neighborhoods, and world-class museums. Altogether, these aspects make Sacramento much more than a drive-through destination.
Downtown Sacramento is a two-mile walk through history. In just a few blocks, the diversity of this city’s architecture spans nearly every decade from its founding to the present. Sutter’s Fort originated as the city’s center, greeting westward emigrants and gold seekers in the 1800s. Sacramento’s Old Town developed alongside the American River to accommodate this population explosion and remains a popular place for newcomers today. The California statehouse links these important landmarks while the periphery is a mix of ethnic and residential heritage from Chinatown’s historic core to the Victorian Governor’s Mansion. Topping such city highlights is the Streamline Moderne and iconic Tower Bridge, a Depression-era vertical lift structure that testifies to the city’s forward-thinking principles. In between are Sacramento’s increasingly modern high-rises that work to weave seamlessly into this historic fabric.
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Between downtown government offices and financial towers, visitors to Sacramento quickly notice a city full of commotion. Elsewhere, the city has achieved the epitome of hip. In fact, Infogroup cited Sacramento as the fourth “most hipster” city in the U.S. This is thanks to its thriving and dynamic neighborhoods where trends are set and friends are made. Neighborhoods like Southside Park, Tahoe Park, Land Park, and Natomas are excellent options for eating, sipping coffee, or walking the tree shaded streets in search of the next big find. But these neighborhoods are not just for locals and one need not venture far from downtown to experience this side of the city. Southside Park abuts the busy streets of the central commercial district but is still full of Victorians and cozy eateries like South. You will feel like a local in no time.
Living like a local in Sacramento means enjoying the city’s extensive farm-to-fork tradition. In fact, Sacramento is known as America’s Farm-to-Fork capital. It has become a culinary setting surrounded by 1.5 million acres of pristine farmland. For those who can’t get enough, the region offers countless farmer’s markets, breweries and wineries, and food and farm tours within easy reach of the city itself. Each September is the Farm-to-Fork Festival on the Capitol Mall, an event designed to introduce foodies to the farmers and culinary experts who make this region such a delectable treat. All these invite you to see why Sacramento puts into practice the principles that form the backbone of healthy living and the core of Amgen’s Breakaway from Heart Disease.
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