trekhawk... in February there is the Tour de Palm Springs... another GREAT beginner ride! The first 50 miles has some rollers and the last 50 is flat... table top, pancake, like a board flat!!! Also well run, and well marked. TdePS was my first century this Feb and it was a perfect starter ride!

here's a link with the whole list so you can choose... I've done 6 this year (so far ) so if ya see one ask and if I know anything about it I'll fill ya in!

http://bbcnet.com/RideCalendar/RideListDate.asp

as to Lighthouse... yeah, since it is such a well done ride it fills quickly. I signed up 3 months ago for it... it's actually 6 hours north of San Diego by Hearst Castle and the Madonna Inn...