The 2008 Tour of California was the third edition of an eight-day, 650-mile (1,045 km) stage race, which began in Palo Alto, then raced through the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast and finished in Pasadena. The road bicycle racing event was held February 17–24. The 2008 Tour of California is part of the 2007–2008 UCI America Tour and the 2008 USA Cycling Professional Tour.

Rock Racing was a cycling team founded in 2007 by Michael Ball. The team is affiliated with Ball's Rock & Republic clothing line. Rock Racing received media attention for hiring outcasts in the sport, including those tainted by performance-enhancing drug scandals. The team's "bad boy image" was furthered by the design of the team kits, and its motto was "Here to stay" which may have served to incite the anti-doping efforts of the time.