Stage 3: San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Starting on Ocean Beach, Stage 3 will cover nearly 120 miles from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. The route will take the riders south down the California coastline on Highway 1, flanked by the picturesque backdrops of the Pacific Ocean on one side and Redwood forests on the other. This coastal stage will include three long, but moderate climbs on Tunitas Creek Road, La Honda Road and Bonny Doon Road, which will all be followed by lengthy and fast descents. The sprint to the finish will follow W. Cliff Dr. along Monterey Bay to an exhilarating conclusion to Stage 3 at the world famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Stage 4: San Jose to Modesto
Fans of the Amgen Tour of California may recognize part of Stage 4 from the 2009 race when the cyclists traveled from San Jose to Modesto; however, in 2010, the racers will encounter a longer and more difficult route. Beginning with a climb that is synonymous with cycling and the Amgen Tour of California, the cyclists will head up Sierra Road (1,930 ft.) within the first five miles of the stage. This epic climb will be a defining moment in the race. After completing the Sierra Road climb, the riders will face fast and flat roads full of twists and turns (Calaveras Road alone has more than 40 switchbacks) before visiting downtown Livermore for the first time. The race will then turn on to the very difficult Mines Rd., where the riders will face nearly 30 miles of a narrow twisting road with almost constantly climbing before a long descent into Patterson. As with the previous year, the stage will finish with two circuits in downtown Modesto.