The seven stage men's race is set to begin in Long Beach in Los Angeles on May 13, with a 133 kilometre course getting the event underway.

General classification riders will be expected to come to the fore during the second stage, with the climb on Gibraltar Road set to prove a major test.

King City will host the third stage, which is poised to conclude at the Laguna Seca raceway.

A 34.7 kilometre individual time trial could prove another key stage for the overall classification on stage four, which will run from San Jose to Morgan Hill.

Elk Grove and South Lake Tahoe will be the finish venues on stages five and six, with the latter another tough climbing stage.

The race will conclude with a 146km stage in Sacramento.

Three-time world champion Peter Sagan is expected to take to the start of the event, as he seeks to secure an eighth sprinters' green jersey in the race.

"Building up to the Tour de France with a strong performance at the Amgen Tour of California is always an important goal," the Slovakian said.

"The race is one of my favourite competitions every year - always challenging competition and such beautiful scenery - and I'm excited to return and try for more stage wins this year."

The race is featuring on the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour for the second consecutive year, with the action running from south to north for only the third time.

The men's race will run from May 13 to 19.

A three-stage women's race will run from May 17 to 19, covering more than 300km of racing.

Elk Grove will hold the opening stage, which will run over 123.5km, with the same start and finish.

South Lake Tahoe will host the second stage with a 108km course, before the event concludes in Sacramento on a 70km course.

New Zealand's George Bennett won the men's race last year, while Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen claimed the women’s competition.