Arrive Early:
The finish line area on Summit Blvd. is expected to fill up first. It is recommended to arrive before 10 a.m. on race day to secure seating near the finish line. Early bird parking, just ¾ mile from Snow Summit, at Garstin Dr. and Fox Farm Road is available. Early bird parking is limited, and the cost is $10 per vehicle. An interactive Lifestyle Festival and Big Bear Cycling Expo near the finish line provide plenty of entertainment and activities prior to the arrival of the cyclists.
Printable Spectator Guide & Map:
Everything you need to know for enjoying The Big Bear Climb in a quick and easy format is here: Download the Spectator Guide & Map for Stage 6 – The Big Bear Climb
Routes to Big Bear:
There are several ways to get to Big Bear, please refer to insert map for detailed directions. The recommended route for spectators coming from L.A., Orange County, San Diego or the Inland Empire is Hwy. 38, which can easily be accessed from the Orange Street exit off I-10 in Redlands. The recommended route for spectators coming from Northern L.A. County or desert communities is Hwy. 18 through Lucerne Valley. Spectators who plan to come up Hwy. 330 to stake out a spot along Hwy. 18 in areas such as Rim of the World Highway or the Arctic Circle are encouraged to arrive before 11 a.m.
Rolling Closures on Hwy. 18 from Crestline to Big Bear Lake:
Rolling closures begin twenty to thirty minutes before the lead rider arrives. Rolling closures re-open five minutes after the final rider passes through, which is no more than one hour after the lead rider. The estimated time to re-open portions of Hwy. 18 from Crestline to the Big Bear Dam will experience rolling closures from approximately 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Spectators who plan to stake out a spot along Hwy. 18 in areas such as Rim of the World Highway or the Arctic Circle are encouraged to arrive before 11 a.m. Rolling closures will continue at Big Bear Dam onto Hwy. 38 along the north shore through Fawnskin and then to Stanfield Cutoff. The estimated time of rolling closures on Hwy. 38 from Big Bear Dam to Stanfield Cutoff is approximately 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The course continues right onto Big Bear Blvd., then to Sandalwood Drive, a right onto Fox Farm Road, then left onto Garstin Drive, and finally Summit Blvd. for the finish. Closures in these areas are expected to happen between 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Other Important Road Info:
As of mid-March Hwy. 330 is closed to repair storm damage. Cal Trans expects to re-open Hwy. 330 by mid-May. Please be sure to check www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi before using this route. Update: Hwy. 330 is open!
Stay Overnight in Big Bear Thursday, May 20:
Big Bear has a wide range of lodging accommodations that fit every taste and budget. Overnight guests have a better chance to get the best seats near the finish line. For spectators who want to be at or near the finish line, but don’t want to hassle with crowds, may elect to rent a condominium on Summit Blvd. or near Snow Summit Mountain Resort. Condos provide private balconies and decks that overlook the crowd with clear views of the finish line. These private rentals are great for hosting race-day gatherings and after-parties with friends. For general lodging information, a list of available rentals at or near the race course, or for race day specials, log onto www.bigbear.com/bigbearclimb or call 1-800-424-4232 to make reservations.
Parking Info:
Parking lots, walking paths and bike routes are all indicated on the race day map. Arrive early to secure the closest spot to the finish line. Nearby parking lots offering free parking is at Moonridge Avenue and in Big Bear Village. There are places to park vehicles along the roadside on or near the course, including Sandalwood Drive, Stanfield Cutoff, and North Shore Drive (Hwy. 38), and side roads on Hwy. 38 such as North Shore Lane, Polique Canyon Road and Holcomb Valley Road. Spectators may park on these roads as long as all four tires are off the roadway. Please be considerate of private and U.S. Forest Service property. Also, there are U.S. Forest Service parking areas along Hwy. 38 including Grout Bay Park, Grays Peak Trail head, Cougar Crest Trailhead, Juniper Point and The Woodland Trail. U.S. Forest Service parking areas do require vehicles to display a National Forest Adventure Pass, which can be purchased at the Big Bear Discovery Center for $5.
Bring Your Bike:
On race day it is easier to get around Big Bear on a bike rather than a car. Please see race day map for easy–access bike routes to the finish line area.
Free Bike Valet:
A free bike valet service, which allows spectators to drop off bikes in a secured area, is available near the finish line at Snow Summit. The free bike valet operates from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bike valet spaces are limited, so be sure to arrive early!
Park n’ Bike:
Free parking in the Big Bear Village is a great choice for spectators to park vehicles, and then ride to the finish line, or other viewing area along the route. Spectators may check bikes at the free bike valet at Snow Summit, and enjoy the Lifestyle Festival and other race day festivities. After the race the Park ‘n’ Bike option allows spectators to beat the traffic out of the finish line area by riding back to the Village on a bike. At the Village secure the bike on a vehicle or chain it up, and enjoy the lively festivities of Friday Night in the Village!
Watch the Race from a Boat:
Big Bear Lake offers unique vantage points for spectators to watch the Amgen Tour of California’s Stage 6 finish from a boat on the lake. The seven-mile long lake provides a variety of viewing options to watch the world’s best cyclists race toward the finish line from Big Bear Dam to Stanfield Cutoff. Race fans can either launch a boat at one of Big Bear’s public launch ramps, or boat rentals are amply served by five marinas that offer a fleet of pontoon boats, fishing boats and kayaks.
MBT Lifestyle Festival:
One thing for certain is spectators will have plenty to do at MBT Lifestyle Festival, which is an only steps from the finish line on the grounds of Snow Summit Mountain Resort. The interactive Lifestyle Festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends shortly after the stage finish. It includes a wide assortment of fun-filled activities for all ages. There’s live entertainment, a beer garden, food concessions, health & fitness expo, cycling demonstrations, bike safety, national sponsors, vendors, cycling gear, family activities and more. There are also giant screen TV monitors that will allow you to follow the riders as they race to the finish.
Big Bear Expo:
Local artists, musicians, businesses and organizations get in on the fun at the Big Bear Expo, which is located at the base area of Snow Summit. The expo is from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After the awards ceremony enjoy Reggae at 7,000 feet with Big Bear’s own Elevated Roots. On Saturday, May 22 the expo is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during Tour de Big Bear.
Tour de Big Bear:
The thrill of cycling continues Saturday, May 22nd with the inaugural Tour de Big Bear. Cyclists of all ages and skill levels have the opportunity to ride portions of the same route professional cyclists raced on the day before. Cycling fans who sign up for Tour de Big Bear get certain privileges others do not. Amgen Tour of California race day perks include free V.I.P. parking on the race course, free T-shirt, free Sky Chair ticket, and a Glory Ride through the official finish line just hours before the pro riders finish.
Make it a Cycling Weekend!
Save the hassle of driving up and down the mountain and avoid race day traffic by staying in Big Bear. Arrive in Big Bear Thursday, May 20 and enjoy the best dining and shopping Big Bear has to offer. On race day, May 21, get an early start to pick out a spot along the course. Wake up early Saturday, put on some cycling gear and enjoy a scenic bike tour at the inaugural Tour de Big Bear. Later watch the Amgen Tour of California time trials on a big screen with an ice-cold beverage. Stay one more night and rent a boat or take a hike Sunday! Visit BigBear.com for lodging and visitor information.
Big Bear Locals:
If you wish to view the race, please refer to the information listed above to use as a guide to enjoy the race.
If you choose not to view the race, consider alternate routes and avoid the main roads as much as possible Friday, May 21. If you need to drive between the east and west sides of Big Bear Valley, be advised these routes will be congested due to traffic and closures from approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please plan accordingly.
Schedule of Events:
| When | What | Where |
| Friday, May 21 | ||
| 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Lifestyle Festival | Snow Summit Parking Lot |
| 11:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Big Bear Expo | Snow Summit Base Area |
| 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Goldsprints Qualifiers | Summit Boulevard |
| 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Tour de Big Bear Glory Rides | Summit Boulevard |
| 2:54 p.m. – 3:52 p.m. | Race Finish | Entrance to Snow Summit Parking Lot |
| 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Friday Night in the Village | Portions of Pine Knot Avenue and Village Drive in Big Bear Lake Village |
| 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner | Bear Mountain Resort |
| 7:00 p.m. | Screening of cycling documentary Chasing Legends | Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center |
| 7:30 p.m. | Goldsprints Finals | Nottinghams Restaurant |
| Saturday, May 22 | ||
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Tour de Big Bear | Recreational road and mountain bike rides throughout Big Bear. |
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Big Bear Expo | Snow Summit Base Area |
Road Closures:
(This is the range of times within which the road may be closed, depending on the speed of the race. Actual closing will only be about one hour with this time frame.)
| Approximate Times | Road Description |
| 2:06 p.m. – 4:27 p.m. | Hwy 38 between the Dam and Fawnskin |
| 2:23p.m. – 4:44 p.m. | Hwy 38 between Fawnskin and Stanfield Cutoff |
| 2:25 p.m. – 4:46 p.m. | Stanfield Cutoff to Big Bear Blvd and Big Bear Blvd to Sandalwood Drive* |
| 2:26 p.m. – 4:47 p.m. | Sandalwood Drive to Fox Farm Road |
| 2:27 p.m. – 4:48 p.m. | Fox Farm Road to Garstin Drive |
| 2:28 p.m. – 4:49 p.m. | Garstin to Summit Blvd |
| 2:28 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. | Summit Blvd to Big Bear Blvd |
| Closed All Day | Summit Blvd south of Big Bear Blvd |
| 2:54 p.m. – 3:52 p.m. | Estimated Finish Time of Leaders |
*Big Bear Blvd. with have the two south lanes open all day for two-way traffic.
