SoCal racers
SoCal racers, come race Berkeley.
You know your local roads and crits. Bring your racing north for a weekend: a road race over the Three Bears that's run since 1957 on Saturday, a downtown criterium on Sunday.
- Dates
- April 17–18, 2027
- Saturday
- Berkeley Hills Road Race, Orinda
- Registration
- Opens on BikeReg March 1
- L39ION of Los Angeles won the Berkeley Hills Road Race
- 2023
- Races, two venues, one Omnium score
- 2
- Bay Area airports: OAK, SFO and SJC
- 3
- Pro/1/2 cash purse in 2026, split 50/50 women and men
- $10,000
01 Why make the trip north
Different roads, different riders.
The Berkeley Hills Road Race isn't a circuit you've lapped all season: it's three climbs a lap on Bear Creek Road, with fields racing up to 90 miles. Sunday's crit is four corners on closed downtown streets, close enough to hear the crowd.
You'll line up against Northern California's riders and whoever else made the trip. Two days, two kinds of racing, one Omnium result.
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 SoCal at Berkeley
SoCal teams have made the trip.
Southern California and Central Coast teams have raced, and won, at Berkeley:
Getting here
Traveling from Southern California
From Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Inland Empire or Ventura County, you're choosing between a long drive with all your gear and a short flight with a bike case. Either way, arrive Friday: Saturday's staging starts early.
Driving
Interstate 5 or US 101 north to the East Bay. A car brings bikes, wheels and a trainer without airline fees, and you'll want it between the two venues anyway.
Flying
Look for flights from your nearest airport into OAK (closest to Berkeley), SFO or SJC. Rent a car there, or take BART from OAK or SFO.
Bikes
Driving, keep bikes secured and out of sight whenever you stop. Flying, pack a proper case and check your airline's bike rules before you book.
Staying
Downtown Berkeley for both days, or Lafayette and Walnut Creek on the road race side of the hills.
Race mornings
Saturday: Race HQ at Orinda BART, staging from 8:00 a.m. Sunday: check-in from 6:50 a.m. at Hearst and McGee (2026 times).
Team captains
Bring your team north
Every rider on your roster has a field both days. Here's what to line up for a team trip:
Fields
Pro/1/2, Elite 3 and 4, masters, women's and Novice fields on both days. Check each rider's field on both days; they can differ.
Schedule
Saturday staging ran 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; Sunday's races ran 7:30 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. (2026).
Registration
Each rider registers on BikeReg from March 1.
Logistics
Shared lodging, cars and food for both venues, with one person keeping the plan.
Example weekend
A race weekend, day by day
An illustrative weekend, based on the 2026 order: road race Saturday, criterium Sunday. Confirm your times when the race information is published.
Friday
Travel north. Check in, build and test-ride the bikes, review Saturday's staging time, eat something familiar, sleep.
Saturday
Berkeley Hills Road Race from Orinda BART. Afterward: eat, recover, check Sunday's start time, take an easy walk around Berkeley.
Sunday
Berkeley Streets Criterium downtown. Watch the Pro/1/2 races if you can stay, then head home.
FAQ
Questions from traveling racers
How far is Berkeley from Southern California?
Far enough that most racers make a weekend of it: drive up or fly in on Friday, race Saturday and Sunday, and travel home Sunday evening. Check your route and traffic before you leave.
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 →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 →Can I bring my team?
Yes. Visiting teams are part of the race: Coalition Cycling brought five P/1/2 riders from the Pacific Northwest in 2026 and reached the podium in both races and the Omnium. Every rider registers on BikeReg in their own field.
Bringing a team →Do I need a USA Cycling license?
Yes. An annual USA Cycling license covers both days. Without one, a one-day license covers one race day: $15 for Novice racers, $35 for former annual license holders racing Category 4 and up. Racing both days takes two.
How to get your USA Cycling license →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 →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 →Where can I park on race day?
Saturday's Race HQ is Orinda BART, where parking is free on weekends. Sunday's criterium runs on closed downtown streets: street parking is free on Sundays but very limited, so carpool, take BART or ride in.
Saturday and Sunday mornings →Race it
Bring your team north.
Race the Berkeley Omnium April 17–18, 2027. Registration opens on BikeReg March 1.