His HTC Colombia team are fielding a strong team for the race which will also be entered by Lance Armstong and his Radio Shack team.
"I feel good. I came to California early to make sure I was ready for the first stage. We hope to get the jersey in the first stage with me and then try to retain it with another rider later in the race," said Cavendish to his team's press office.
Speaking about the race which can be seen on Eurosport starting at 10pm tonight, HTC Colombia Team Manager Rolf Aldag said: "The Tour of California has always been one of the season focuses for our team," says Team Manager Rolf Aldag. "It was important to us to come here with a good team and the goal of being competitive the entire race.
"Mark Cavendish has great form with his recent win in Tour de Romandie so we will start on Sunday with the objective of taking the first stage win.
"For the overall we have Mick Rogers and Tony Martin. Mick finished third last year and is having a great season so far this year. He led Tour de Romandie until the final stage last week. Between him and Tony, and with the help of young American Tejay Van Garderen in the mountains, we believe we have a good chance."
Stage one is from Nevada City to Sacramento and is 167.8km long.
Britain's David Millar remains in third place in the General Classification of the Giro d'Italia. On roads, caked in heavy mud thanks to plenty of rain, Millar finished in eleventh place on stage seven on Saturday behind stage winner Cadel Evans.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM