Amgen Tour of California (Escondido: motel, buy, train)

[Fishy]

total shot in the dark here but does anyone know anything about the Amgen Tour of California Stage 8: Rancho Bernardo to Escondido? id like to find out about parking along Rt 76 to go walking up S Grade Road to watch the bikers go by. also any info on the parking at the expo afterwards

the circled purple area is where wed like to watch from, then drive back to the expo after the race

[esmith143]

There's a half a mile straight in the beginning of South Grade Road, normally it's possible to park on the shoulder.

[Fishy]

sweet, we just have to get there early

we've decided to drive from s grade road back to the motel and take the train to the expo. that should make it much easier

[redbike2001]

There will be sections of Hwy 76 (both eastbound past Jilbertos and westbound a few miles before South Grade that will be posted by Caltrans as No Parking zones. These stretches will be reserved for the feedzones and parking will only be available for team cars. Otherwise, expect to be towed. And yes, there will be tow trucks on-site. Expect South Grade to be closed by 9am on race day to all vehicle traffic (both up and down the road). There is some limited parking in some of the pull-outs on South Grade, but I expect then to be filled sometime on Friday/Saturday (depending on what the park service is going to allow. If you do park on South Grade, make sure you buy your park pass.

If you are watching the race from Palomar, you will not be able to get back to Escondido to see the finish. Traffic will not be allowed down South Grade untill all of the riders have made the climb, the descent down East Grade, and have gone past the bottom of South Grade going westbound on Highway 76. You would have a better chance to make the finish by watching on Cole Grade. Be prepared to jump on the road immediately following the "End of Caravan". Even then, it is going to be very close. You maybe better off going back to Hwy 76 to I-15.

You can also expect the Expo to start tearing down about hour after the finish.

Eric Smith
Course Director