Out-of-state racers
Your next race weekend starts in Berkeley.
A historic road race in the hills, a criterium on downtown streets, and a weekend in the East Bay. Here's what's different about racing in Northern California, and how to get here.
- Dates
- April 17–18, 2027
- Saturday
- Berkeley Hills Road Race, Orinda
- Registration
- Opens on BikeReg March 1
- Rachel Urban of Coalition Cycling, from the Pacific Northwest, won the women's road race
- 2025–26
- First Berkeley Hills Road Race
- 1957
- Races on two days, at two venues
- 2
- Bay Area airports: OAK, SFO and SJC
- 3
01 Why travel to Berkeley
Seventy editions of road racing, and a crit downtown.
The Berkeley Hills Road Race has run since 1957, and future World Tour pros have won it. Saturday's loop climbs the Three Bears every lap; Sunday's criterium is a 0.61-mile, four-corner course on closed streets in downtown Berkeley.
Racers from the Pacific Northwest have reached the podium in both: Coalition Cycling's five P/1/2 riders did it in 2026.
02 · Two races, one weekend
A road race and a crit.
Saturday, April 17
Berkeley Hills Road Race
Out of Orinda BART, over the Three Bears
- Raced since 1957
- An 18.76-mile loop with 759 feet of climbing every lap
- 16 to 90 miles, depending on your field (2026)
- Baby Bear, Mama Bear, Papa Bear on Bear Creek Road; Papa Bear's back side usually decides it
Sunday, April 18
Berkeley Streets Criterium
Closed streets in downtown Berkeley, by Ohlone Park
- A 0.61-mile, four-corner course
- 12 races from 7:30 a.m. to the 5:05 p.m. Pro/1/2 (2026)
- Free to watch, with a kids race in the middle of the day
- Race both days for an Omnium score
03 From out of state
They made the trip.
Teams from other states that have raced Berkeley:
Getting here
Flying in, driving in
Most out-of-state racers fly into the Bay Area and rent a car. From Nevada or Oregon, driving can make sense, with all your gear in the car.
Airports
OAK is the closest major airport to Berkeley; SFO often has more flights; SJC is farther south. OAK and SFO connect to BART.
Rental car
Rental cars are at all three airports. You'll want one for a team, and to get between Orinda and Berkeley before BART's Sunday service starts.
Flying with a bike
A proper bike case, your airline's current bike policy, the tools to rebuild it, and a test ride the day you land.
Shipping a bike
Shipping services exist; we don't recommend one. Allow plenty of time and confirm where the bike arrives.
Where to stay
Downtown Berkeley for the full Omnium; Lafayette or Walnut Creek if Saturday's road race is your focus. Ask hotels about bikes in rooms.
What to expect
Racing requirements and race days
The same USA Cycling rules you race under at home, with a few local details worth knowing ahead of time.
How to get your USA Cycling license →Start, staging and rollout →Berkeley Omnium registration guide →
License
Your annual USA Cycling license works here. Without one, buy a one-day license for each day: $15 for Novice, on BikeReg or at day-of registration, or $35 for former annual license holders, sold only on BikeReg.
Category
Enter the field that matches the category, racing age and gender on your license.
Two venues
Saturday's Race HQ is Orinda BART, not the start line: the field rolls out together to the start. Sunday is downtown Berkeley.
Terrain
Saturday climbs and descends every lap on Bear Creek Road. Sunday is short laps and four corners.
Weather
Check the forecast before you travel and each morning. Downtown Berkeley and the hills can differ, so pack layers.
Check-in
Sunday's check-in has closed 15 minutes before each race, and race-day registration is cashless.
04 Explore Berkeley and the East Bay
Between the races.
Sunday's crit is in downtown Berkeley, a short walk from coffee, food, bike shops and the UC Berkeley campus. Saturday's loop over the Three Bears is on public roads the rest of the year, so arrive a day early and you can pre-ride it. And Saturday afternoon, after the road race, is for recovering: you race again tomorrow.
Before and after the crit in Berkeley
Coffee, food and the UC Berkeley campus, a short walk from Sunday's course.
Bike shops near Berkeley
For spares, a tune-up or a last-minute fix before the start.
Ride the road race loop on Strava
The Three Bears loop is on public roads, so you can pre-ride it the day before.
FAQ
Questions from traveling racers
Can I race with my out-of-state USA Cycling license?
Yes. A USA Cycling annual license is a domestic racing license, valid at USA Cycling events across the country, including both Berkeley Omnium races.
Which airport should I use?
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) is the closest major airport to Berkeley. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) often has more flights but is across the bay, and San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is farther south. All three have rental cars; OAK and SFO connect to BART.
Airports, BART and driving →Do I need a rental car?
Probably, especially with a team. BART reaches both venues, but Sunday service starts after the first crit fields, and a race weekend means bikes, wheels and bags.
Do you need a rental car? →Should I fly with my bike or ship it?
Either works. Flying, use a proper case and check your airline's bike policy before booking. Shipping, allow plenty of time. Either way, rebuild and test-ride the bike the day you arrive.
Your bike's travel plan →Where should I stay?
For the full Omnium, Downtown Berkeley: Sunday's criterium is there, along with food, BART and bike shops. If the road race is your priority, Lafayette or Walnut Creek put you on the Orinda side of the hills.
Where to stay for the Berkeley Omnium →Can I race both events?
Yes. The Berkeley Hills Road Race is Saturday and the Berkeley Streets Criterium is Sunday, April 17–18, 2027. Start both in your Omnium category to be scored for the Omnium overall, and add a second crit on Sunday if you're eligible for another field ($20 in 2026).
How Omnium scoring works →How do I register?
Online on BikeReg, from March 1. In 2026 online entry closed 3 days before the Berkeley Hills Road Race, or sooner if fields filled, and day-of registration at both races cost $15 more. It's cashless.
Berkeley Omnium registration guide →Are there masters categories?
Yes, both days. In 2026: Masters 35+ 1/2/3; Masters 35+ 3/4; Masters 50+ 1/2/3; Masters 50+ 3/4; Masters 60+ 1/2/3/4/5; Masters 65+ 1/2/3/4/5; Masters 35+/50+ 3/4; Masters 50+ 1/2/3, 60+ and 65+ 1/2/3/4/5; Women's 3, Collegiate B, Masters 40+/50+/60+.
Every field and start time →Are there women's categories?
Yes, both days. In 2026: P/1/2 and Collegiate P/1/2; Elite 3 and Collegiate 3; Elite 4 and Collegiate 4; Pro/1/2 and Collegiate Pro/1/2. The $10,000 cash purse for the Pro/1/2 fields was split 50/50 between the women's and men's races.
Women's racing at the Berkeley Omnium →What happens if the event is canceled?
Check this site and the email updates for any change to the races. The Berkeley Omnium hasn't published a refund or cancellation policy yet, so ask through the contact form before you book travel you can't change.
Contact the Berkeley Omnium →Race it
Your next race weekend starts here.
The Berkeley Omnium is April 17–18, 2027. Registration opens on BikeReg March 1.
Everything for traveling racers · Coming from Southern California