The Best Marathons in California
More marathon variety than any state. Here is every marathon RaceScout tracks across California, in date order, with the honest tradeoffs on each.
Sun, Mar 7
2027
Los Angeles Marathon
Los Angeles, CA
Rolling
70°F
Avg temp
~21,933
Field
1%
BQ %
Sun, Dec 6
2026
California International Marathon
Sacramento, CA
Net downhill
58°F
Avg temp
~9,100
Field
30%
BQ %
Sun, Jul 26
2026
San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco, CA
Rolling
66°F
Avg temp
~6,536
Field
3%
BQ %
Sun, Jun 6
2027
Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon
San Diego, CA
Net downhill
69°F
Avg temp
~5,935
Field
2%
BQ %
Sun, Oct 11
2026
Long Beach Marathon
Long Beach, CA
Flat
79°F
Avg temp
~4,722
Field
5%
BQ %
Sun, May 2
2027
OC Marathon
Costa Mesa, CA
Flat
70°F
Avg temp
~3,618
Field
5%
BQ %
Sun, Apr 25
2027
Bank of America Big Sur International Marathon
Carmel, CA
Hilly
60°F
Avg temp
~3,500
Field
10%
BQ %
Sun, Feb 7
2027
Surf City Marathon
Huntington Beach, CA
Flat
67°F
Avg temp
~1,963
Field
6%
BQ %
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Find my best fit Sun, Mar 7
2027
Napa Valley Marathon
Napa, CA
Net downhill
66°F
Avg temp
~1,942
Field
13%
BQ %
Sat, Apr 17
2027
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
Ventura, CA
Net downhill
68°F
Avg temp
~1,755
Field
22%
BQ %
Sun, Aug 23
2026
Santa Rosa Marathon
Santa Rosa, CA
Flat
82°F
Avg temp
~1,349
Field
16%
BQ %
Sun, Jan 17
2027
Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad, CA
Flat
60°F
Avg temp
~1,157
Field
8%
BQ %
Sun, Mar 21
2027
Oakland Marathon
Oakland, CA
Flat
62°F
Avg temp
~1,061
Field
4%
BQ %
Sun, Nov 1
2026
Two Cities Marathon
Fresno, CA
Flat
67°F
Avg temp
~710
Field
8%
BQ %
Sun, Apr 4
2027
Modesto Marathon
Modesto, CA
Flat
72°F
Avg temp
~403
Field
—
BQ %
May 2027
estimated
Avenue of the Giants Marathon
Weott, CA
Flat
56°F
Avg temp
~396
Field
5%
BQ %
Sun, Oct 18
2026
Lake Tahoe Marathon
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Hilly
65°F
Avg temp
—
Field
—
BQ %
Sat, Mar 13
2027
Catalina Marathon
Avalon, CA
Hilly
65°F
Avg temp
—
Field
—
BQ %
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Thin air and mountain scenery.
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Desert cool and downhill canyons.
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Home of the race every qualifier chases.
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The Best Marathons in Pennsylvania
Flat rivers and a big-city fall race.
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The Best Marathons in Ohio
The Midwest's quiet PR country.
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The Best Marathons in Washington
Evergreen scenery and fast tunnel courses.
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The Best Marathons in Oregon
Rain-cooled and forgiving.
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The Best Marathons in Michigan
Lakeshore flats and cool fall mornings.
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The Best Marathons in North Carolina
Blue Ridge climbs or Piedmont flats.
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The Best Marathons in Utah
Canyon downhills and high-desert air.
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