In short
The 2027 Big Sur International Marathon is on Sunday 25 April 2027, point to point along Highway 1 from Big Sur Station to Rio Road in Carmel, starting at 06:45. Every runner must ride an official bus to the start, and buses leave Monterey, Seaside and Carmel at 03:30 to 04:00, so most runners stay in downtown Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea, a walk from a pick-up point. Supporters do best in Carmel, close to the finish, since Highway 1 is closed to spectator traffic. Rooms near the course are few and the race room blocks in Monterey close on 23 March 2027, so book as soon as you have an entry.
Where to stay for the Big Sur Marathon
Pick an area to see hotels and rentals there at live prices.
Start Finish Acheer spot Course
Download the course (GPX)Course map as an image Traced by marathonbeds from the latest published course, not the official file. Check the official map before race day.
Hotels and rentals at live prices, Fri 23 Apr to Mon 26 Apr. Open the live map for Downtown Monterey ↗
Prices and availability come from booking sites through Stay22. Change the dates on the map if you are staying longer.
Course sheet
In race order, not to scale
- Big Sur StationStart in the redwoods at 06:45, in three corrals
- Big Sur Villagemile 2.6 (km 4)Past the River Inn and the valley lodges
- Hurricane Pointmile 12 (km 19)The highest point, after a two-mile climb from mile 10
- Bixby Bridgemile 13.1 (km 21)Halfway, with a pianist playing at the bridge
- Garrapata Bridgemile 17 (km 27)Rolling coast road past the ranches
- Carmel Highlandsmile 23 (km 37) · cheer spotCliffside hotels right on the course
- Point Lobosmile 24 (km 39)Rolling hills from mile 22, about two miles to go
- Highway 1 by The Crossroadsmile 26 (km 42) · cheer spotThe spectator viewing area on the last stretch
- Rio Road, CarmelFinish on Highway 1 by The Crossroads Carmel
Big Sur Marathon race morning
Every marathoner must take an official bus to the start: Highway 1 is closed to private cars, and there is no parking or drop-off at Big Sur Station. Buses leave pick-up points in Monterey, Seaside and Carmel between 03:30 and 04:00 (2026 times), since the drive down the winding coast road takes about an hour, and you need your bib and bus ticket to board. Runners staying in Big Sur ride a shuttle loop on Highway 1 from 04:45 to 05:45. The start is at 06:45 in three corrals, and the course reopens to traffic at 13:00.
Compare the areas
Walking times along the streets from the centre of each area. On race morning, allow extra time for crowds and closed roads.
| Area | Good for | Walk to the start | Walk to the finish | Walk to bib pickup | Getting to the start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Monterey | Race morning transport | Train or bus | Train or bus | 4 min | Walk to the bus pick-up at the Monterey Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, or at the Monterey Transit Plaza, 494 Tyler Street. In 2026 loading ran from 03:45 to 04:00 at the Marriott and 03:30 to 04:00 at the Transit Plaza. |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | Near the finish | Train or bus | 37 min | Train or bus | Walk to the bus pick-up at Carmel Plaza, at Ocean Avenue and Junipero. In 2026 loading ran from 03:45 to 04:00. |
| Rio Road and Carmel Rancho | Near the finish | Train or bus | 6 min | Train or bus | Take a taxi or drive about 1 mile to the bus pick-up at Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, or to Carmel Plaza. In 2026 Carmel Middle School loaded from 03:30 to 04:00. |
| Carmel Highlands | On course | Train or bus | Train or bus | Train or bus | Drive north on Highway 1 to the bus pick-up at Carmel Plaza or Carmel Middle School before the road closes. Highway 1 is open only to CHP-led caravans from 04:00, so check the race-morning service when it is published. |
| Big Sur | Near the start | 40 min | Train or bus | Train or bus | Wait on Highway 1 outside your lodging for the race shuttle. Two loops run between the River Inn to the north and Deetjen's to the south, from 04:45 to 05:45, and take you to the start at Big Sur Station. |
| Seaside | Value base | Train or bus | Train or bus | 52 min | Walk or drive to the bus pick-up at the Embassy Suites, 1441 Canyon del Rey. In 2026 loading ran from 03:45 to 04:00. |
Where to watch the Big Sur Marathon
Highway 1 is closed to spectator traffic, so plan to watch from Carmel: stay in the Carmel Highlands to cheer at mile 23, or line the last stretch by The Crossroads, then meet your runner in Marathon Village.
-
mile 23 (km 37)
Carmel Highlands
Only practical if you stay at one of the Highlands hotels, since cars can cross Rio Road southbound only until 07:00. Watch from the roadside, then ride a CHP-led caravan north to Rio Road (in 2026 they left Highlands Drive at about 08:30, 10:38 and 12:35).
Stays near Carmel Highlands ↗ -
mile 26 (km 42)
Highway 1 by The Crossroads
Spectator viewing areas line both sides of Highway 1 for the last few hundred yards. Park early at The Crossroads Carmel, as the race advises, because spaces fill fast.
Stays near Highway 1 by The Crossroads ↗ -
Meet your runner
The Runner Reunion Area is inside Marathon Village, next to the finisher food tent, at Highway 1 and Rio Road. Agree on a meeting point before race day; return shuttles to the morning pick-up points ran from 09:30 to 14:00 in 2026.
The official hotels, explained
The race holds 2027 room blocks at four Monterey hotels (Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn and Hyatt Regency), booked direct with each hotel until 23 March 2027 (1 April at the Marriott). Marathon Tours & Travel, the official travel agency, also sells three- and four-night packages at the Portola that can include a guaranteed entry, but every payment is non-refundable.
| Official hotel offer | Our maps | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Not published. Ask before you pay. | Every hotel and rental near each area |
| Prices | Marathon Tours packages from $1,465 a person sharing for three nights, plus $485 for a guaranteed entry (2027). | Live prices from several booking sites |
| Minimum stay and cancellation | Block terms are set by each hotel and not published on the race page. Marathon Tours packages: 30% deposit plus the entry fee, more payments on 8 November 2026 and 31 January 2027, and no refunds. | Filter for free cancellation |
| Need to buy a package? | No | No |
See the official hotel offer ↗ · We link to the official option and explain its terms, so you can compare before you book.
When to book
We suggest 3 nights, Fri 23 Apr to Mon 26 Apr: time to settle in before the race and a night of rest after it.
- NowBook a room with free cancellation near the start.
- Tue, 23 Mar 2027Official hotel deadline.
- Fri, 23 Apr 2027Expo opens. Collect your bib.
- Sat, 24 Apr 2027Last chance to collect your bib.
- Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
- Sun, 25 Apr 2027Race day.
Free guide
The Unofficial 2027 Big Sur Marathon Where to Stay Guide
Every area, the race morning plan and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.
Big Sur Marathon questions
Where should I stay for the Big Sur Marathon?
Downtown Monterey or Carmel-by-the-Sea. Both are a walk from an official bus pick-up, and Carmel is the closest town to the finish at Rio Road. Monterey has the expo and the race room blocks.
Can I stay in Big Sur, near the start?
Yes, if you find a room: Big Sur has a few lodges, cabins and campgrounds, and race shuttles loop along Highway 1 from 04:45 to 05:45. You finish 26 miles away in Carmel, with return shuttles to Big Sur after the race.
How do I get to the start of the Big Sur Marathon?
On the official buses, which every marathoner must take. They leave Monterey, Seaside and Carmel between 03:30 and 04:00 (2026 times), and you pick your pick-up point in March through haku.
Where can spectators watch the Big Sur Marathon?
Mostly at the finish. Highway 1 is closed to spectator traffic, so watch the last stretch by The Crossroads Carmel or, if you stay there, in the Carmel Highlands at about mile 23. There is no driving down the course to cheer.
Where do I pick up my bib?
At the Health & Fitness Expo at the Monterey Conference Center, on Friday 23 April 2027 from 12:00 to 18:00 or Saturday 24 April from 09:30 to 18:00. Bring photo ID and your check-in pass; nobody can collect a bib for you.
When is the 2027 Big Sur Marathon, and when should I book?
Sunday 25 April 2027. The drawing winners were announced on 8 September 2026, so book now if you have an entry; the Monterey room blocks close on 23 March 2027.
How many nights should I book for the Big Sur Marathon?
We suggest 3 nights, Fri 23 Apr to Mon 26 Apr: time to settle in before the race and a night of rest after it. Book with free cancellation so you can change your plans.
Official race site ↗ · Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Photo credits
- Bixby Creek Bridge on Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Shops and flags on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The World War I memorial arch on Ocean Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Carmel Mission basilica near Rio Road: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
- Cypress trees and a rocky shore in Carmel Highlands: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Big Sur River in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- A path beside the lake in Laguna Grande Park, Seaside: Guylaen, CC0
- Waves breaking on the rocks in Carmel Highlands: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 3.0
