Most Americans can agree: California is one of the U.S.’s best vacation spots. For runners, vacation means a chance to train in a new locale — or an excuse to travel to a race. And with warm weather, blue skies, and epic landscape — year-round, no less — it’s always a good time to run a half marathon in California.
Whether you love to run on the sand somewhere like San Diego or you’re looking to escape into nature in Big Sur or Joshua Tree, the Sunshine State has countless races with jaw-dropping views. Rolling ocean waves, rugged cliffs, towering trees, other-worldly desert landscapes — the scenery at these 28 California races will have you so distracted, you’ll be surprised the half marathon distance is over already.
As a longtime running journalist, runner myself, and author of Marathoner: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, I’ve narrowed down the hundreds of halfs across the state to the top 28 California races with a view. There’s something for trail runners, beginners, and seasoned half-heads alike. All that’s left is to book your trip.
San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon
- When: April 12, 2025
- Where: San Diego, CA
The San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon has everything you could want in a California race: beautiful coastal views along a flat course with a cool ocean breeze blowing for every mile – and an epic Finish Line Festival.
The race, which includes 5k and 10k options, was founded by natives of the city who wanted to create a race that truly reflected the San Diego experience, and one that gave runners from all over the U.S. and beyond a reason to visit their city. And that they did.
The race starts at Tecolote Shores Park, a grassy strip of real estate that flanks the bay. From there, the loop course winds its way along the most iconic beaches and bays of America’s Finest City, offering live music, and passing some of San Diego’s must-see sites, including the historic wooden Belmont Park Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. This race is so iconic it earned second place for Runner’s World’s Best International Running Event in years past.
And don’t overlook the event’s signature Finish Line Festival, with live music, dozens of vendors, and, since San Diego is an international leader on the craft beer scene: a beer garden where local artisan brews are poured by the brew masters themselves. We’ll raise our glasses to that!
Joshua Tree Half Marathon
- When: November 2, 2024
- Where: Joshua Tree, CA
If you’re ready for an adventure, lace up: This 13.1-mile trail race not only takes you through the epic terrain of one of California’s coolest national parks, but it does so at night. With go-time starting at 6 p.m., no matter your running pace you’ll likely hit those final miles under an unbelievable array of stars in the night sky (as well as headlamps, of course). Just remember to layer up – it gets cold in the desert at night.
Griffith Park Trail Half Marathon
- When: November 2, 2024
- Where: Los Angeles, CA
You don’t have to leave the city to score wow-worthy scenery. The iconic Griffith Park is one of the nation’s largest urban parks and it’s Trail Half Marathon takes you on an out-and-back course that winds through not just gorgeous canyons with views of downtown L.A., but also major spots of Hollywood history.
Lake Chabot Half Marathon
- When: November 16, 2024
- Where: Castro Valley, CA
Lake Chabot is conveniently located just outside San Francisco and rocks an easy course great for beginner trail runners (just 380 feet of elevation gain) – making it a great race to tack onto a vacation to the Bay Area. The race starts at the marina and takes you around Lake Chabot reservoir and into the surrounding hills. And if you’re not a beginner, there’s also a 26.2, 30K, and 50K you can run.
OC Half Marathon
- When: May 3-4, 2025
- Where: Costa Mesa, CA
2024 marks the 20th Anniversary of the OC Marathon. But, it’s not just the aged wisdom of the grandfather clock of California races that makes it something special – this half marathon is the real deal. The course takes runners through the picturesque communities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Runners can expect to see the Pacific Coast Highway, the Pacific Ocean, luxury multi-million dollar homes, yacht clubs, and the final finish on the Orange County Fairgrounds. We’ve rated the OC Marathon and Half Marathon one of our favorite half marathons on the planet.
Santa Rosa Half Marathon
- When: August 25, 2024
- Where: Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County is home to world renown wine country cities like Napa, Sonoma, and of course, Santa Rosa. The half marathon takes runners through the heart of California wine country with views of vineyards, pastoral beauty, and a mostly flat course great for beginners. This makes it one of our highest recommended California half marathons.
Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon
- When: February 2, 2025
- Where: San Francisco, CA
If you’ve ever traveled to San Francisco and driven through or just walked past the gorgeous landscape that is Golden Gate Park, then you know why Runner’s World ranked this as one of the country’s most scenic half marathon races.
Surf City USA Half Marathon
- When: February 2, 2025
- Where: Huntington Beach, CA
Often mentioned as one of the nation’s best all-around road races, this event follows a long, scenic out-and-back course along the Pacific Coast Highway, and includes stretches past the famed Huntington Beach pier and the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. If you’re looking for a similar race in the fall, you could try the Long Beach Half Marathon located just a few miles south on the coastline.
Golden Gate Headlands Half Marathon
- When: April 2025 (TBD)
- Where: Sausalito, CA
Run along a backdrop that combines gorgeous natural vistas with views of San Francisco’s urban skyline in the distance, as well as a hilly and challenging course, this race features some dramatic changes in elevation.
Rodeo Beach Rumble Half Marathon
- When: April 2025 (TBD)
- Where: Sausalito, CA
Run among the hills, trails, military landmarks and dramatic coastal shorelines of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at this race, where you can enjoy a day at the beach after you cross the finish line at Rodeo Cove.
Heartbreak Ridge Run Half Marathon
- When: 2025 TBD
- Where: Camp Pendleton, CA
You’ll run off-road trails through the hilly mountain wilderness of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base at this springtime race, which climbs some 1,280 feet over the course of the half (be sure to get that hill training in!). The base is just north of Carlsbad, which means you can head to the beach for a victory swim once you’re done at the running festival.
Nail the Rail Half Marathon
- When: April 26, 2025
- Where: Redding, CA
While most of the half marathons on this list are road races, this trail race in northern California showcases the beauty that state has to offer outside of Napa and the coast. Run on the Sacramento River Rail Trail, the half marathon trail run is an out-and-back race on a repurposed train track. Redding is California’s “sunniest city” though so make sure to lather up the sunscreen before the race if you don’t want to leave with a sunburn as well as your finisher medal.
Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Arcata, CA
The Avenue of the Giants Marathon, and its accompanying half marathon, is one of the most gorgeous races that California has to offer (which is saying something). Ran in Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the “Avenue of the Giants,” the race guides runners past hundreds of massive old growth redwoods. The half is an out-and-back course lined with 300-year-old trees that will give you plenty of shade while you’re running.
Bay Bridge Half
- When: May 4, 2025
- Where: Oakland, CA
The Golden Gate Bridge may get much more publicity (not to mention its own half marathon), but the Bay Area’s other beauty, the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge is stunning in its own right. The 13-miler has been hailed one of the best half marathons in California and sends runners from Oakland across the bridge to Yerba Buena Island and back. On the way back, you’ll get a good view of Oakland’s famous cranes. Fun right?
Muir Woods Half Marathon
- When: May 10, 2025
- Where: Stinson Beach, CA
Challenging hills, paired with stunning views of both the Stinson Beach coastline and the immense, dramatic trees and landscapes of Muir Woods National Monument are the hallmark of this race, run where scenes from 1983’s Return of the Jedi were filmed.
La Jolla Half Marathon
- When: May 16, 2025
- Where: San Diego, CA
One of SoCal’s finest races is San Diego’s La Jolla Half Marathon. The point-to-point course is mostly run along the Pacific coast that gives runners plenty of ocean views. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the race runs through Torrey Pines State park before finishing at La Jolla Cove. After the race you can head into downtown San Diego or head south of the border for a celebratory margarita in Tijuana.
Mountains 2 Beach Half Marathon
- When: April 12-13, 2025
- Where: Ventura, CA
Towering mountains, green hillsides and valleys, and the waves crashing along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean are just some of the scenery runners will see at this race between Ojai and Ventura in Southern California. The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is also an excellent place to qualify for Boston if you have a friend who wants to run a full marathon while you run a half.
Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon
- When: May 31-June 1, 2025
- Where: San Diego, CA
Perhaps the world’s best known race series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series got its start in 1998 in San Diego, California. Since then, Rock ‘n’ Roll has hosted events all over the world (including a great half in San Jose), but the San Diego race has always been the OG. The half marathon starts west of Balboa Park before sending runners out into Normal Heights, back through the park and to a finish downtown. No need to bring your headphones. There will be plenty of music blasting before, during and after.
Olympic Valley Half Marathon
- When: June 15, 2025
- Where: Olympic Valley, CA
Just a few hundred runners finished both races combined last year at this stunningly beautiful race, which runs the roads and trails of California’s famed Squaw Valley Ski Resort, the home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, you’ll have plenty to do even if you can’t ski.
Angel Island Half Marathon
- When: April 12, 2025
- Where: Angel Island State Park, CA
Set to run around the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay, this race follows a looping trail around Angel Island State Park, a place where you can see some of the most stunning views of the Marin Headlands and the rest of the Bay Area.
Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon
- When: July 20, 2025
- Where: Sonoma, CA
The is a pretty large contingent of runners who also love wine. They are both good for your heart, right? The Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon is the ultimate destination race for wine lovers who appreciate a glass or two after covering 13.1 miles. This is often rated as one of the most scenic California half marathons and one of the best races in the world.
San Francisco Half Marathon
- When: July 26-27, 2025
- Where: San Francisco, CA
When it is hot and muggy in the middle of summer, escape to the oasis of San Francisco, whose marathon is held at the end of July and runners from all over come to enjoy a weekend of (usually) cooler temperatures — and you’ll have two half marathon routes to choose from.
America’s Finest City Half Marathon
- When: August 17, 2025
- Where: San Diego, CA
This point-to-point race takes runners from the majestic views of the historic Cabrillo National Monument overlooking the Pacific to the green, expansive meadows of Balboa Park, whose 1,200 acres are home to 15 museums including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Big Sur Trail Half Marathon
- When: September 2025 (TBD)
- Where: Big Sur, CA
At this race you’ll follow the Old Coast Road, the first of its kind that connected the towns of Monterey and Big Sur before the road now known as Highway 1 was built. It’s challenging and hilly, with long, steep climbs and descents as well as spectacular scenery. This is often rated one of the most popular California half marathons.
Malibu Half Marathon
- When: October 2025 (TBD)
- Where: Malibu, CA
Rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, waves crashing against the shoreline, and plenty of rugged hills await on a gorgeous out-and-back route along the Pacific Coast Highway at this race, which starts and finishes at Zuma Beach.
Catalina Island Half Marathon
- When: November 9, 2024
- Where: Avalon, CA
A great race for trail runners or those looking for a new challenge, the Catalina Island Eco Half Marathon features gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged terrain, and lots of elevation change. If you’ve never been, Catalina Island feels like an oasis anywhere other than just off the coast of Los Angeles. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places in California, a truth that’ll keep you mind distracted as your legs carry you through 13.1 miles.
Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- When: November 10, 2024
- Where: Monterey, CA
For sheer natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery, it’s pretty much impossible to top this event, which runs alongside the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shoreline for most of the race.
Santa Barbara Half Marathon
- When: November 3, 2024
- Where: Santa Barbara, CA
Located on the 101 between Los Angeles and Big Sur, you’ll find the gorgeous town of Santa Barbara. The oceanside enclave hosts a half every year that starts and ends downtown with plenty of running along the picturesque beach in between. While technically a loop course, the 13-miler has several out-and-back stretches and the cool ocean breezes are sure to cool you down, even if it is a bit sunny. Celebrate with some fish tacos and a quick dip in the waves.
