Southern California - First time spectator at ToC. Need advice

we think we'll just hang in Solvang to watch start and finish of TT during stage 6. But not sure what to do about stage 7. we have been both stationed in Edwards AFB so know the Angeles Crest roads pretty well and can't imagine where you would park if the crowds are big. Methinks with LA racing this year the crowds could be massive. Help.

Read the thread about stage 8 and think we know where we want to be on Palomar. (thanks guys)

How soon do the roads close before race time? 3 hrs? We're flying in from Denver so won't have our bikes to get around.

Anybody ever volunteer to help on this race? Never done it for a bike race but have for runs. Tips?

The road up Palomar will be closed to cars at 9am. Not sure about AC, but I would imagine it will be later. Probably 1-2 hours before the race comes through. Don't hold me to that though.

I don't think the crowds will be massive. Maybe near a summit, such as Mill Creek Summit on Angeles Forest Highway, it will be crowded.
I've ridden to Balcom Canyon for 3 years to watch the climb and it was crowded there near the top, but they aren't going there this year.
Last year I went to Angeles Forest before Angeles Crest and there were only a handful of people, but it was raining, windy and cold.
Balcom, above the steep part.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/RR2.jpg
Spectator parking on Balcom.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010003-1.jpg
Breakaway on Angeles Forest with stage winner Big George.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S2010005.jpg

Stage seven we'll be at The Rose Bowl before the race starts staking out a place
with a good veiw of the finish line and of one of the Jumbotrons. Kick back in our folding chairs, eat lunch and watch the whole race live on closed circuit. Then you are there to cheer them on as they do laps around the Bowl. Last year the coaches were parked up course from the finish so all the riders rode back through the finish line crowd. It was great, I got high fived by Paulo Bettenni.

Esammuli, Big John, Curiouskid55,
Thanks for the tips guys. Hope we have one of those days you move there for versus the kind that makes them houses in Malibu Canyon slide down the hill...