I went years ago to watch it start in SF, and it was very cool. Most of the cars were out on display, and the drivers floated around. Got to take pics with Ton

I went years ago to watch it start in SF, and it was very cool. Most of the cars were out on display, and the drivers floated around. Got to take pics with Tony Hawk and Jesse James, see other famous people, and chat with some regular folks too. They did a parade lap down Lombard St with the mayor, and then started the rally. This of course included a Lamborghini being pulled over for a burnout, and a (ticket or warning) being given 10 ft from the start with a crowd of people watching/jeering. Good times for a high school kid who hadn't seen most of those cars in persn yet.