I don't know anything about Stage 1.
For the San Jose stage, last year my husband and I parked a few miles from Sierra Road and biked in. It was good to have a few miles to warm up before the road went straight up
We parked in a parking lot at the corner of Jacklin Rd. & North Park Victoria Dr. in Milpitas, which is a few miles north of Sierra Road. We then rode our bikes south on Jacklin, which becomes Evans, which becomes Piedmont. Sierra Road is off of Piedmont.
I forget what time we went, but we went pretty early. Sierra Road, and Piedmont Ave south of Calaveras Ave., is going to be closed off to traffic, but I'm not sure at what time - perhaps the ToC website might have more info about that. Parking will probably be severely restricted along & near the actual race route.
This year we're either going to park in that same lot as last year, or park near Higera Adobe Park which is a bit north on N. Park Victoria Dr., off Wessex Pl. The park has public restrooms.
hth, - Jo.
2009 Lynskey R230 Houseblend - Brooks Team Pro
2007 Rivendell Bleriot - Rivet Pearl