California is the ultimate running destination. From the redwoods of Humboldt to the Pacific cliffs of Big Sur, from San Diego’s beaches to the Sierra Nevada’s alpine trails — California hosts more iconic races than any other state. This guide covers the best marathons, half marathons, trail races, and specialty events across California.
Why Run in California?
California offers the full spectrum — Boston qualifier courses (California International Marathon), world-famous point-to-point races (Big Sur, Los Angeles), brutal ultras (Badwater 135, Western States), desert runs, mountain trail races, and urban marathons in San Francisco and LA. Whatever your distance, surface, or goal, there’s a California race for it.
Southern California
- America’s Finest City Half Marathon & 5K — San Diego, CA
- Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run – San Diego — San Diego, CA
- Avalon Benefit 50 Mile/ 50k Run — Avalon, CA
- Balboa Park 8 Miler — San Diego, CA
- Carlsbad 5000- 5k — Carlsbad, CA
- Kaiser Permanente Thrive Half Marathon & 5K — San Diego, CA
- La Jolla Half Marathon, 10K and 5K — Del Mar, CA
- Long Beach Marathon — Long Beach, CA
- Los Angeles Marathon — Los Angeles, CA
- Mission Trails Twilight Runs (50K, 25K & 5K) — Santee, CA
- Mountains 2 Beach Marathon & Half Marathon (Awaiting 2027 Race Date) — Ventura, CA
- Mt. Hollywood Trail Run — Los Angeles, CA
- OC Marathon Running Festival — Newport Beach, CA
- Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K — San Diego, CA
- Ragnar SoCal Road Race (Awaiting 2027 Race Date) — Huntington Beach, CA
- Ragnar SoCal Trail Race — Warner Springs, CA
- Run Malibu: 5k, Half Marathon & Kids Run — Malibu, CA
- Run Revel Big Bear Half Marathon & Marathon — San Bernardino, CA
- San Diego Holiday Half Marathon & 5K — San Diego, CA
- San Diego Pride 5K Run + Walk — San Diego, CA
- Santa Clarita Marathon Races — Santa Clarita, CA
- Silver Strand Half Marathon, 10 Miler, 12K & Veterans Day 5K — Coronado, CA
- Temecula Half Marathon & 5k — Temecula, CA
- The KID-FIT Family Fun Run 5K — South El Monte, CA
- Tough Mudder SoCal — Lake Elsinore, CA
Bay Area & Central Coast
- Bay To Breakers — San Francisco, CA
- Big Sur Marathon — Big Sur, CA
- Dispea Trail Race | Iconic Trail Race — Mill Valley, CA
- Lake Chabot Trail Races — Castro Valley, CA
- Monterey Spartan Event Weekend — Monterey, CA
- Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon & Rose 5k — Sonoma, CA
- San Francisco Marathon — San Francisco, CA
- San Jose Spartan Trifecta Event Weekend — Paicinas, CA
- San Luis Obispo Spartan Trail Race — Santa Margarita, CA
- San Luis Obispo Spartan Trifecta Weekend — Santa Margarita, CA
- Western States Endurance Run — California, CA
Northern California & Sierra
- Avenue Of The Giants Races — Weott, CA
- California International Marathon — Granite Bay, CA
- Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon — Redcrest, CA
- Redding Marathon, Marathon Relay & 5k (Awaiting 2027 Race Date) — Shasta Lake, CA
- Two Cities Marathon — Fresno, CA
- Yosemite Half Marathon — Bass Lake, CA
Desert & Mountain
- Badwater 135 — Furnace Creek, CA
- Joshua Tree Half Marathon — Joshua Tree, CA
California Marathon Highlights
For marathoners, four races stand out as must-runs: Big Sur Marathon (Highway 1 coastal views), San Francisco Marathon (across the Golden Gate Bridge), Los Angeles Marathon (stadium-to-sea point-to-point), and California International Marathon (the West Coast’s premier Boston-qualifying race).
Trail & Ultra Running in California
California’s trail running scene is unmatched. Western States 100 is the oldest 100-mile trail race in the world. Badwater 135 — the 135-mile Death Valley–to–Mt. Whitney ultra — is considered the toughest footrace on earth.
Local Spotlight: San Diego Races
San Diego has its own deep race calendar with year-round events along the coast. See our dedicated San Diego races guide for the full list.
When to Race in California
California’s climate varies dramatically by region. Coastal races (Big Sur, SF, San Diego) are best April–June and September–November. Desert and Sierra races favor cooler months — October through March for desert, June through September for high Sierra. Plan your race calendar around the regional climate.