Golden Gate Marathon in July---logistical question

[kelli]

We are coming from out of town to run this race for our 20th Anniversary but we are very unfamiliar with the area. My husband has been there once for work and he did not get a rental car, he says we can get everywhere fairly easily (bus/cab, etc...) Is this true for getting to this race because it seems more out of the way? Aside from the race, we want to be in the downtown area where we can walk everywhere. Our only other plans are a night tour of Alcatraz ans maybe a little shopping on top of a lot of RELAXING. Any suggestions on where to stay and IF we do need a car or not??

THANKS!

[david]

Kelli,
Yes you are correct, it is a bit out of the way. Taxi from SF would run upwards of $150 round trip,$75 one way...varies, and bus, I don't think would get you out there in time for the race...it would be a long a grueling ride anyway(2 hours). I do suggest renting a car for the day if you woud like total freedom, it does take a good 45min. to an hour to get out there from SF, or what many people do is post asking for a ride to the race once you have booked a hotel giving you a pickup location. Some nice fellow runner would give you a ride maybe for gas money, but it's not always certain. I live here in Oakland and don't know hotels very well so you're on you're own there, there are many... If I run this race, which I'm not quite sure of yet, I would gladly give you a lift, I have run it several times and it is a wonderful, scenic course and usually nicely cool.

[kelli]

Thanks for the reply! We will rent a car for the day it looks like.

[Penny]

Are you talking about the San Francisco Marathon on July 29th? If so, there's a host hotel in downtown SF within walking distance of the starting line and easy access to Fisherman's Wharf (where you'll go for the tour of Alcatraz) and to Union Square for shopping. You can get to/from the airport on BART. A car would be A LOT of trouble.

[david]

kelli,
Yes, valid point, I was assuming you meant the July 14, Coastal Trails Golden Gate trail marathon down at Rodeo Beach in the Headlands. It not that its so far in miles, but you have GG bridge, a one way tunnel and a road with many switchbacks heading out there in the morning with quite a few cars. The Alcatraz tours Pier 33 is very walkable from downtown, there are many great hotels around the Union square, and of course Knob Hill, for the city 'experience', the hotels up toward Fisherman's wharf tend to be a little more touristy. Everything in the City is very accessible by foot, taxi, trolley, etc. The SF Marathon July 29 actually starts/finishes on Embarcadero close to downtown.

[kelli]

I was talking about the Golden Gate Trail Half marathon on the 14th. We have decided to rent a car and stay in Mill Valley---cheaper rooms and away from the crowds. We will trek into San Francisco for a day and worry about parking then! Thanks for your replies.