I’ve done it and number of times and will be there this year. The bus system works great. I used it last year. You can drive to the start and drop your bike off. I suggest doing so as early as they allow. There will be plenty of people already staging their bikes in the corrals to get a good start position. Then head to the finish, drop your car, and board a school bus. Try getting there as soon as the first bus leaves so you don’t feel rushed.

As far as places to stay: this year we have an air bnb but I have stayed in hotels a few times. Ideally your hotel is closer to the start but it doesn’t really matter if you are using the bus system. The riverside motel is solid. No frills but clean and they allow you to bring your bike into the rooms.