2-9-11
PASO ROBLES -
As more details are released about the Amgen Tour of California, hotels, restaurants and shops are getting ready for the big crowds, and big business.
May 19 kicks off the biggest weekend of the year for Paso Robles, more than 20 thousand people are expected to be in the city for stage 5 of the race, and stay for the weekend.
Restaurants, shops and wineries are ready for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. Crowds will take to the streets to watch the professional cyclists speed by, and sprint to the finish line, and business owners are hoping they stay and experience everything Paso Robles has to offer.
"We see our restaurants full, hotels full, people are downtown spending money, it's great for tourism, great for commerce, and we really appreciated that," said Police Chief Lisa Solomon, who also serves as the event committee chair.
The newly-remolded Hampton Inn and Suites in Paso Robles is already booked for the weekend. It is hosting dozens of the professional cycling teams.
And this year, the Tour of California coincides with the annual Wine Fest, which is already one of the biggest weekends of the year.
"It's a huge weekend we hope that people come on Thursday, and stay all through the weekend for the wine," said Solomon.
The Tour of California will also host the time trials in Solvang on Friday, May 20.
