The Tour of California race route is a great launch point for your own tour of discovery on a road trip taken by world-renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong, whether you prefer a motorcycle or a racing bike or an RV. These five cities offer an eclectic mix of activities year-round and off the beaten path. Start in Tahoe and take a break in ever-popular, breathtaking San Francisco. This internationally famed sports event is a perfect road trip, go where athletes ride at breakneck speed over steep terrain for over 100 miles each day on national Bike Week. So, dust off that motorcycle, RV or road bike and take a tour.
Stage I: Lake Tahoe: The Amgen Tour of California begins here but Lake Tahoe needs no introduction. Its stunning waters, ringed with mountains and upscale resorts are legendary. This winter’s snowpack is so massive that visitors may find resorts like Heavenly Valley still open for skiing and snowboarding in June under the Sierra sunshine. Stay at the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, site of the Tour’s opening gala. A relative newcomer to Tahoe’s south shore, the MontBleu Resort sets a new standard for upscale travel. Experience the AAA Four Diamond Award Winning Restaurant Ciera Steak + Chophouse, or be pampered by attentive service and sophisticated spa offerings, plus kayaking, sailing and casinos.
Stage 5: Monterey Peninsula / Big Sur. Passing down Hwy 1 through Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Big Sur, this stage provides some of the most dramatic and compelling scenery in the world. Stop at Point Lobos for world-class ocean views. Stage 5 ends in rustic Paso Robles, close to renowned Cal Poly State University, where thousands of screaming fans mob the race course. Nearby San Luis Obispo and stunning, tiny Avila Beach are charming destinations for travelers seeking an ocean oasis. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort in Avila Beach is an exclusive and historic spa dating from 1897. Tucked away in a remote valley, its charms are legendary among savvy travelers. Balcony hot tubs, a spa, and massages are just a few of the delightful amenities.
Stage 6: Solvang. This quaint village has been recognized by Sunset magazine as one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Western United States." Settled by Danish immigrants, it retains its old world charm and lies at the heart of the famed Santa Maria vineyard region. Wine tasting is a special opportunity along with the old world milieu. See if you recognize scenes from the hit comedy 'Sideways' filmed here in 2004. The Wine Valley Cottages and Inn is a boutique hotel that offers a quiet retreat from the central tourist area of Solvang. This small property has gardens and a koi pond, plus fireplaces in every room. In late May, there's a tour of the nearby Paso Robles Wine Festival.
Stage 7; Claremont. The home of California’s most prestigious small universities offers broad, road tree-lined streets in the picturesque downtown area and college campus settings that are an attraction in themselves. Hotel Casa 425 invites attention with its private courtyard, spa and quiet elegance away from the busy central district. Romantic balconies, fountains and outdoor firepits offer ambiance just east of culture-filled Pasadena.
Stage 8: Thousand Oaks. On Sunday the Tour’s winner is crowned on the award stage in Thousand Oaks. Nearby, the rugged coastline offers narrow sandy beaches and rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica. The Huntley Hotel bills itself as ‘an oasis of understated contemporary elegance and comfort amidst the hustle and bustle’ of Santa Monica, and indeed it is. Its low-key, award winning SoCal elegance is refreshing, understated and serene. Oceanfront views, suites and even a penthouse add to the high-end ambiance. For the ultimate LA experience, there is a private chauffer service in a Maserati QuattroPorte. After the tour: Sandstone Peak is the crown jewel of the Santa Monica Mountains breathtaking by day, and even better by night. Plan a serene getaway in the midst of 'SoCal' at the Huntley, a hotel honored by Architectural Dgest.
For dates, maps, and details on the Amgen Tour of California, click here: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/
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