The Best Marathons in California
A Guide to the State’s Most Iconic Races and Boutique Stays Worth the Trip
In California, a race is rarely just a race—it’s a journey through some of the most striking landscapes in the country. Miles unfold along cliffside highways, beneath towering redwoods, across sunlit vineyards, and out to the edge of the Pacific. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or planning a race weekend getaway, the state’s most iconic marathons and half marathons offer more than a finish line. Each delivers a distinct sense of place and community, with stays as memorable as the miles themselves.
Big Sur International Marathon
Arguably the most iconic marathon in California, the Big Sur International Marathon is a bucket-list run along Highway 1, tracing a dramatic stretch of coastline from Big Sur to Carmel. Runners are awestruck by the ocean cliffs, the redwoods, and the unforgettable moment of crossing Bixby Bridge—often accompanied by a live pianist. Held the last Sunday in April, it attracts everyone from elite runners to first timers, with a celebratory finish-line energy that feels more like a coastal festival than a race.
Where to Stay
Just minutes from the finish line in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Coachman’s Inn offers newly revamped rooms with soaking tubs, complimentary breakfast and wine hour, and a secluded hot tub and sauna. A landmark since 1889, the Pine Inn offers guest rooms ranging from cozy standards to penthouse suites—including some with ocean views—and features an on-site restaurant and bakery.
Avenue of the Giants Marathon
Beneath a cathedral of ancient redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, the Avenue of the Giants Marathon feels worlds away from the typical road marathon. The course is shady and cool. For miles, the only fans lining the course are the massive redwood trees, which sometimes block GPS signals and require runners to go by feel. Typically held the first Sunday in May, it draws those seeking a quiet, meditative experience with little fanfare, along with serious runners chasing a Boston qualifier on a certified course.
Where to Stay
An easy drive from the finish line, the picture-perfect Victorian village of Ferndale beckons travelers to step back in time. The grand Victorian Inn at the top of Main Street features spacious rooms with period details and an on-site restaurant and bar. Nearby, the meticulously restored Gingerbread Mansion is a Victorian landmark with period-perfect rooms and clawfoot soaking tubs.
Lake Tahoe Marathon
Circling the edge of North America’s largest alpine lake, the Lake Tahoe Marathon features a series of three marathons over one weekend, with routes that are as visually stunning as they are physically demanding. With altitude, hills, and crisp mountain air, it’s a race that rewards grit and pacing. Held in mid-October, it attracts adventure-minded runners—some of whom tackle all three marathons in three days or opt for the grueling 72-mile Tahoe Midnight Express. The payoff: brilliant fall color, sweeping lake views, and an icy, well-earned post-race plunge.
Where to stay
Near the race festivities in South Lake Tahoe, Black Bear Lodge’s rustic-chic cabins and guest rooms offer a quiet, comfortable place to rest and recover before and after the race. In Tahoe City, close to the finish for the Cal-Neva Marathon, The Cottage Inn offers enchanting cottages tucked beneath the pines with access to a private beach.
Napa Valley Marathon
A quintessential wine country run, the Napa Valley Marathon follows the Silverado Trail through vineyards and rolling countryside from Calistoga to Napa. The setting is serene and pastoral, with views of vineyards and the surrounding mountains bathed in golden light. Typically held the first weekend in March, it’s known for cool, consistent racing conditions and a net-downhill profile. The race draws both Boston qualifiers and runners who appreciate a more intimate atmosphere with a post-race glass of Cabernet.
Where to Stay
Just a few blocks from the starting line and Calistoga’s famous mineral springs, The Atlas Calistoga’s well-appointed cottages provide a serene retreat well-suited for pre-race management and recovery. Three miles from the finish, Milliken Creek Inn offers a relaxing riverside escape with made-to-order breakfast in bed, deep in-room soaking tubs, and on-site spa services.
California International Marathon
Fast, net downhill, and famously PR-friendly, the California International Marathon is where runners come to chase qualifying times. The point-to-point course from Folsom to downtown Sacramento offers long, gentle descents and typically ideal early-winter weather. Held the first Sunday in December, it draws a performance-driven crowd—from elite athletes to Boston hopefuls—all focused on one thing: speed.
Where to Stay
Just blocks from the finish line in downtown Sacramento, The Exchange Sacramento brings new life to an architectural classic—blending historic character with a modern sensibility and offering elegant, farm-to-fork dining. In a quiet residential neighborhood south of downtown, The Inn & Spa at Parkside is an oasis of relaxation and renewal with a day spa, sauna, and steam room.
Catalina Island Marathon
Equal parts trail race and endurance test, the Catalina Island Marathon traverses the rugged interior of the island with relentless hills, dirt roads, and sweeping ocean views. It’s remote, demanding, and wildly rewarding. Usually held in March, it attracts trail runners and adventure seekers who value grit over speed—this is less about finishing time and more about conquering terrain.
Where to stay
A hidden jewel, Snug Harbor Inn is a six-room boutique hotel tucked along the waterfront. The Avalon Hotel offers a relaxing rooftop deck and elegant rooms with private balconies and ocean views. Centered around a private courtyard, Catalina Courtyard Suites features newly revamped guestrooms and a spacious Penthouse Suite. The Aurora Hotel offers a mix of intimate guestrooms and suites with contemporary coastal décor and a rooftop deck.
Santa Cruz Marathon
The inaugural Santa Cruz Marathon blends laid-back surf town vibes with a coastal rollercoaster of a course. The route takes runners from the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk through Capitola Village and then up to the rugged coastal bluff trails of Wilder Ranch State Park. Held in October, the dynamic course blends coastal scenery and varied terrain with iconic landmarks and a fiercely independent Santa Cruz attitude.
Where to Stay
Just steps from the start and finish lines, the luxurious new La Bahia Hotel & Spa features a spa with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, steam rooms, a sauna, and a rooftop deck. Next door, the newly renovated Marea Sol Hotel is a more intimate stay with a rooftop deck and coastal-inspired rooms. Also across from the start and finish, the family-friendly Beach Street Inn & Suites offers a contemporary beach vibe with free snow cones and a swimming pool.
San Francisco Marathon
Urban, hilly, and undeniably cinematic, the San Francisco Marathon showcases the city’s greatest hits—most notably a sunrise run across the Golden Gate Bridge. With steep climbs, coastal wind, and shifting fog, it’s as challenging as it is memorable. Held the last Sunday in July, it attracts a wide spectrum of participants: first-timers, international runners, and locals who embrace the city’s grit and incredible beauty.
Where to stay
Steps from Union Square and a quick ride-share down to the start and finish on the Embarcadero, the hip White Swan Inn combines the charm of an old English hotel with the sassy, mod flair of 1960s London. A few doors away, Petite Auberge blends French countryside charm with a curated selection of global objets d’art to craft a whimsical ambiance. For an upscale stay along the route with front door access to Presidio Trails and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, opt for the Lodge at the Presidio.
Half Marathons
Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon
A quintessential wine country run, the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon winds from the rolling vineyards in Napa Valley’s Los Carneros region to a festive finish in Sonoma Plaza. The course is gently undulating and scenic, with long stretches of open road framed by vines and golden hills. Held in mid-July, it attracts a social, lifestyle-driven crowd—runners who come for the experience as much as the race—with post-run wine tastings and a celebratory finish that leans more toward a fête than a finish line.
Where to Stay
At the southern gateway to Sonoma, the newly updated Casia Inn is a tranquil garden oasis with elegant, modern guest rooms and a pool. Runners can save 15% on their stay over the race weekend with promo code MARATHON2026. Just two blocks from the finish line at Sonoma Plaza, the Inn at Sonoma features a rooftop deck and hot tub for post-race relaxation, plus a complimentary wine reception and breakfast for two.
Monterey Bay Half Marathon
Set along one of California’s most beautiful coastlines, the Monterey Bay Half Marathon delivers a flat, fast course through Monterey and Pacific Grove, with long stretches tracing the edge of the rocky shoreline. Cypress trees and panoramic ocean views line the route nearly the entire way. Typically held in mid-November, it draws a mix of first-timers and seasoned runners drawn by its blend of coastal scenery and easygoing vibe.
Where to Stay
Perched above the coastal route in Pacific Grove, the Green Gables Inn is a newly revamped Queen Anne Victorian with panoramic ocean views and a complimentary breakfast and wine hour. Across from Lover’s Point, the Seven Gables Inn is an elegant Victorian estate with ocean views from every room and a generous breakfast buffet.
City to the Sea Half Marathon
A Central Coast favorite, the City to the Sea Half Marathon traces a scenic route from downtown San Luis Obispo to the shores of Avila Beach. The course passes historic landmarks, quiet country roads, and stretches of the tree-lined Bob Jones Trail before opening to the Pacific. Held in mid-November, the community-driven race offers beautiful views and a festive after-party by the sea with proceeds benefiting local track and field and cross-country teams.
Where to stay
Just steps from the start, the hip, modern Hotel San Luis Obispo features two chef-driven restaurants, a rooftop lounge, a pool, and an on-site spa offering deep tissue massage and CBD therapies. A few blocks away, Hotel Cerro boasts stylish, contemporary interiors, a stunning rooftop pool, and a serene spa for post-race recovery.