Tour of California
| Event Date: | 2/19 - 2/26 |
| Location: | California |
| Type: | Stage Race |
| Series: | UCI 2.1, NRC 2.1 |
| Debut Year: | 2006 |
| Website: | www.tourofcalifornia.com |
| E-mail: | Chris Aronhalt |
| Men's Category: | Elite |
| Men's Prize List: | unknown |
| Women's Category: | none |
| Women's Prize List: | none |
| Races: | Prologue + 7 Stages |
| Scoring: | Timed |
| Entry Fee: | unknown |
| Entry Due Date: | unknown |
The race route was announced in early November, running from Santa Rosa south to Redondo Beach. Announced at the beginning of the 2005 domestic season, the plan with this event is to catch European pro teams after the Tour de Langkawi as a "stop-over" on their way back to Europe for the beginning of the Continental season. It has the effect of lengthening the domestic season.
The backers of the event are AEG, a big-time sports group who owns the STAPLES Center, several MLS franchises, and is part-owner of the LA Lakers basketball team. They are claiming that they are committed to financing the event for five years with a budget of $35 million. Their signing of AMGEN as title sponsor has caused quite a stir.