Travel & Lodging Information

The San Francisco Marathon has partnered with San Francisco hotel and transportation authorities to help you plan an outstanding race weekend, stress-free, whether you’re traveling across the city or across the globe.

5 ways to be a more responsible tourist – The Washington Post

2023 Race Course Overview info coming soon!

Race Morning Runner Shuttles in San Francisco

1st Half Marathon: Shuttles are provided for 1st Half Marathon runners from the finish line in Golden Gate Park back to the Main Finish Line Festival on the Embarcadero. Shuttles leave from Fulton St. and Arguello Blvd periodically between 8:00am to 11:30am.

2nd Half Marathon: FREE Runner Shuttle Busing pick up runners from 7:00AM – 8:00AM from Howard St. and Spear St. at the Main Start Line near the Embarcadero. Runner shuttles drop off runners at Halleck and Mason St, a quarter mile from the 2nd Half Marathon Start Line in The Presidio. Shuttles are for runners only. All you need is your bib to enter.

Alternatively, there will be designated race parking available throughout The Presidio.  Additional details on specific parking locations will be provided the week prior to the race.

For those taking a BART bus (see below), please stay on the bus when it arrives at the Embarcadero – the buses will immediately load those waiting at that stop, and then drive to the start of the 2nd Half.

Race Morning BART Busing

BART doesn’t run early enough to get you to The San Francisco Marathon Embarcadero Start Line, but don’t fret! The San Francisco Marathon offers early morning bus service from six Bay Area BART stations, so you can forget the hassle of driving and focus on the race.

• Buses transport runners from the Walnut Creek, El Cerrito Plaza, MacArthur, Bay Fair, Daly City and Millbrae BART stations on Race Morning and arrive by 4:45am at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero.
• Bus drivers will have a list of names for those who have purchased and will check them in on race morning – you do not need a physical ticket with you to board the bus.
• Bus Schedule Options: Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 4:05am; Daly City at 4:20am; El Cerrito Plaza at 4:20am; MacArthur at 4:20am; Millbrae at 4:15am; Walnut Creek at 4:10am. Buses to arrive by 4:45am at the Embarcadeo.
• Plenty of free parking is available at each location.
• 2nd Half Marathon runners may use the BART Buses to get to the 2nd Half Start Line – please stay on the bus when it arrives at the Embarcadero. The buses will load those waiting at the Embarcadero, and then shuttle everyone to the start of the 2nd half.

BART will be running normally after you cross the Finish line, so just buy a BART ticket, hop on, and head home. The BART Station Bus Ticket does not include return BART Ticket Fare.

Purchase Bart Bus Tickets here! 

• BART Bus FAQs
  • Do I need anything to get on the bus?
    All you need is your ID. Bus drivers will have a list of names for those who have purchased and will check them in on race morning – you do not need a physical ticket with you to board the bus.
  • What is the parking situation like?
    Plenty of free parking is available at each location.
  • How will I know where to go once I’ve parked?
    It’s going to be dark, and BART won’t be running yet, so you should be able to easily locate the bus in the parking lot (it will have its lights on and park in an easy-to-spot location).
  • Is this the ticket to get to the start line for the second half, or to the finish line festival for the first half?
    No, those shuttles are complimentary. Pick up locations can be found above.
  • Will my BART bus ticket get me home after the race?
    No, this is a one-way ticket to the event.

Reserved Parking with SpotHero

We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app.

New to SpotHero? Click here to download the SpotHero app.

Public Transportation

We encourage all runners to drive or carpool, have a friend or family member drop them off, or taxi in to make it to the start on time.

Alternatively, expand the tabs below to learn more about your public transportation options or plan your trip here. Click Muni below to learn more.

• MUNI • Travel in and to San Francisco
  Plan your trip with The San Francisco Trip Planner – an easy to use site that allows you to put in your starting point and destination and then gives you the easiest option to arrive at your destination using public transportation. 
• AC Transit • Travel between the East Bay and San Francisco
  AC Transit operates service between San Francisco and the East Bay along the Richmond and Fremont BART lines.
  From the East Bay: Route 800 West, AC Transit, runs from Richmond BART Station to Market and Van Ness in San Francisco, making stops along the way in Berkeley and Oakland. Transfers from Routes 801, 802, 805, 820, 840, and 851 to Route 800 can be made at 14th Street and Broadway. A Sunday/Holiday timetable for Route 800 West can be found HERE.
• BART • Travel between San Francisco and the East Bay
  Plan your trip with the BART Trip Planner by inputing your start and end destination. Important: BART does not operate early enough to get you to the Start Line on time on Race Day. We recommend using our BART Buses instead. See our Race Morning BART Busing section above to learn more. 
• SamTrans • Travel between the Peninsula and San Francisco
  From the Peninsula: SamTrans 397 North OWL services the South Bay to San Francisco, beginning at the Palo Alto CalTrain Station and ending at Mission and Transbay in San Francisco, making stops in Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo, Burlingame, South San Francisco, and San Francisco International Airport. A Sunday timetable for can be found here.

Bike Valet

We encourage locals to bike to the Expo and to the Start Line on Race Day and enjoy our complimentary bike valet service. The Race Day Bike Valet will be open at Market St. and Embarcadero from 4:30am to 1:00pm on Sunday, September 19th. Bikes that remain in the bike valet after close will be transported to the vendor’s office at the owner’s expense.

Popular Considerations

• Favorite food options

  Boudin Bakery

  Akiko’s Restaurant

  Tartine Bakery

  Donut Farm

  Blue Bottle Coffee

• Things to do
  Ferry Building
  Full House Building
  Golden Gate Bridge Park
  Muir Woods
  Alcatraz
  
• Local Business Special Offerings
  • Museum of Craft and Design 
    • San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design to provide1 free ticket/admission during the
    • month of September + 10% off at the Museum store during the visit. To redeem, all runners must provide a race bib (including the participant’s first and last name) and photo identification.
    • IG Page: @museumofcraftanddesign
  • Urban Remedy 
    • Come into any NorCal UR store with your race number and receive a Sample Bag of our favorite juices and 15% off your purchase. 
    • Following Week; Monday 9/20 thru Sunday 9/26
    • Show us a picture of you in your race number and get 10% off your purchase. 
    • IG Page: @urbanremedy
  • Zen Massage SF 
    • Offering a 20% off discount code for two weeks prior + two weeks post-race weekend. To redeem, all runners must provide a race bib (including the participant’s first and last name) and photo identification.
    • IG Page: @zen_massagesf
  • B Patisserie 
    • B Patisserie to provide 15% off all menu items on race weekend, September 18th and
    • 19th 2021. 
    • IG Page: @bpatisserie