I was disappointed when the Sacramento Stage 1 became a prologue. They would have been riding on MY roads. I will go somewhere to watch them, though. Probably the Sausalito area.
I was at the end of the stage in Sacramento in 2007. They circled the capitol 4 times, giving ample times to get some pictures. Here's a couple of mine. I was close. You could feel the whooooosh of air as they went by.