Thinking of moving to CA and was curious as to what Californians thought their must-do races would be, how they’d rank’em and why. Some guesses as an outsider:
1)Wildflower
2)Alcatraz
3)Vineman Half IM
4)Ralph’s California Half IM
5)Auburn International Half IM
6)Los Angeles Olympic
7)San Jose Olympic
8)Californiaman IM
9)Vineman Full IM
Roth is such a great race that it ranks #1 in Calif. triathlon races! 
decided I will go back next year. hopefully the weather will be nice.
I would add the Camp Pendleton International Tri to that list…not a lot of frills, but that is what makes it great. The marines who come out and support this event rule!
Come on! Take off #8 until the race is actually held!
Gotta add Tri-For-Fun Pleasanton - it’s a goddamn institution. I think every Bay Area triathlete popped their cherry at this one.
Some others to consider: Pacifc Grove, Big Kahuna, Strawberry Fields, Pacific Coast and San Diego Int’l.
my cherry lies at the bottom of that shit filled swamp over there in Pleasanton.
You forgot the season opener Pope Valley biathlon, and the Ukaih World Championships in September. you can’t miss either of these.
J
I would toss the Donner Lake Triathlon into that mix as well. Just held the 24th annual version of the race over the weekend.
I like the UVAS - Southbay tri as well.
How is the Scott Tinley Adventure in San Luis Obispo?
Roth is such a great race that it ranks #1 in Calif. triathlon races!
decided I will go back next year. hopefully the weather will be nice.
That would be perfect. Roth, the Pacific, SoCal weather, palms, paradise on earth.
Frank
Strawberry fields is awesome…eventhough the swim was hell this year. The debris was crazy, huge logs everywhere…but I will be back next year. Great early season race, and I always love gorging on strawberries!
Oxnard is the only city I have ever walked into Outback Steak House at 5pm, on Saturday night, and there was no wait!
-bcreager
Never raced it, but heard good things about the Santa Cruz Sentinel…
Strawberry fields is awesome…eventhough the swim was hell this year. The debris was crazy, huge logs everywhere…but I will be back next year. Great early season race, and I always love gorging on strawberries!
Oxnard is the only city I have ever walked into Outback Steak House at 5pm, on Saturday night, and there was no wait!
-bcreager
thats because everyone was at the Taqueria for dinner.
The best (not 10):
Wildflower, Alcatraz, Big Kahuna, Half Vineman, Donner Oly, Auburn Int., Sentinel, Ralph’s 1/2
San Jose, LA, Treasure Island all WELL off that list.
ot
What’s bad about San Jose, LA + Treaure Island?
Santa Cruz Sentinel is definitely top 3 along with
Sandman in Aptos, CA. I loved the Olympic distance Vineman when they had it.
Big does not always mean better, especially nowadays in triathlons. Getting less and less bang for the buck.
These people put on great races…http://www.sierramultisport.com/
Chris
LA is a logistical nightmare. Between going to Downtown LA to check in, getting your bike to T1 and recovering all of your gear after the race, you kill 2 days for any Oly race! On the other hand, out-of-towners get a first hand view of LA traffic since they will be in it for hours.
I would add Carpenteria to the list. Small, but great venue - very challenging bike, the run is mostly on trails overlooking the ocean.
Folsom is another good race but is a somewhat crowded run on a bike path.
For star/people gazing - Malibu. Although the run course is too narrow for the amount of competitors and they can’t seem to get the buoys or the run turnaround
placed correctly.
Bakersfield - another small race, nice venue, very tough run - maybe tougher than Wildflower although 2 miles shorter. Great post race food.
“You know you are getting old when you see your father in the mirror.” anon.
Sounds mexican…so sounds like just my style…where is that place at?
-bcreage
I agree…this one is near the top of my “best” list. This year was my first, of many years!
-bcreager
Sentinel is my favorite race. Its incredibly scenic, feels small although its not tiny, and its a real open ocean swim. They also have free coffee at transition in the morning!
I hear great things about Big Kahuna as well. Santa Cruz is just a cool place
I am not a big fan on Treasure Island. Too many laps on the bike for me.