The Rock’n’Roll marathon in San Diego has been established since 1998,
and is made up of a variety of running events, including the marathon itself,
along with a half marathon, half marathon relay and a 5K race too.
Stay close to Start or Finish line
T he original marathon course started on 6th Avenue and ended downtown at Broadway Avenue. Over the past two decades, the course of the marathon has been rerouted several times, and now runners will finish the course at Petco Park.
When : 01 – 02 June 2024
Where Should I Stay for San Diego Marathon?
The best option is to stay either near the finish of the (half) marathon and walk or take a shuttle to the start line. Excellent locations include downtown San Diego, Waterfront Park and the Gaslamp Quarter.
You can also stay near the start line but not many hotels are located nearby. The nearest one is the Inn at the Park.
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San Diego CA offers a wide variety of accommodation and hotel options to help visitors enjoy the marathon and half marathon. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to staying in hotels close to the finish line, which is a popular tourist hotel choice.
If you are looking to stay in a hotel in the downtown San Diego area, then from here you can easily walk to the start line of the marathon, which is encouraged by the organizers. Alternatively, you can also choose to head to the start line by shuttle.
Ticket prices for the shuttle are $6, which will take you straight to the start line area, which is located in the Gaslamp Quarter. However, do be aware that there is no return shuttle after the race, so you will need to make your own way back to your hotel either by foot or by alternative transport.
You can also choose to stay in hotels further out and either take a shuttle bus or walk to the race instead. Pre-shuttle pick up locations include –
Waterfront Park
Located at the corner of West Ash Street and Pacific Highway, Waterfront Park is the best place to find hotels that are close to the trolley and coaster drop-offs, as well as being closet to pre-paid garages too.
Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is situated between 7th Avenue and K&L Streets. As one of the most historic areas of the city, this 16 and a half block neighbourhood boasts Victorian-age architecture and is one of the best places to stay for those marathon participants and supporters who want to find hotels in the downtown San Diego area.
There are also a handful of hotel properties where you can stay close to the starting line rather than travel in if you prefer. The closest hotel is the Inn at the Park.
The Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown is located near to the finishing line, and is situated on West Ash Street. This modern hotel offers all the comforts you would expect from one of Hilton’s properties, and guests can enjoy great views of the Embarcadero waterfront in Little Italy. As well being the perfect place to easily cheer on the Rock’n’Roll marathon, from here you can also easily visit the famous San Diego Zoo, as well as take a 20 minute drive to La Jolla, one of the most exclusive areas in California and the home of Raymond Chandler, America’s most celebrated detective noir novelists. The hotel itself also offers some great amenities, including a fitness centre, pool and rooftop bar.
For those who prefer to stay close to the finishing line, the Best Western Plus Bayside Inn is located on West Ash Street and is a great affordable hotel option that is situated right in the heart of the city. With its great sweeping city views, this hotel is close to the bay, as its name suggests, and is also just a stone’s throw away from Little Italy and the downtown San Diego area. You can also easily explore the Gaslamp District, Midway Museum and San Diego from this hotel too. You can also relax and enjoy the hotel’s great buffet breakfast or chill out by their pool if you prefer.
Close to some of San Diego’s favourite tourist attractions, as well as being great for business travelling too, the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina hotel is near to the San Diego Convention Center and Health & Fitness Expo. This hotel is location on the waterfront and offers fantastic views of its own private marina, along with easy access to Petco Park, Balboa Park and the Gaslamp Quarter, making it one of the best hotels to choose if you want to enjoy the Rock’n’Roll marathon.
The Inn at the Park is one of the best properties to choose if you want to stay near to the Rock’n’Roll marathon start line. Located on Spruce Street, this hotel is also close to other favourite city attractions too, including the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe Theatre as well as Balboa Park West. The Inn at the Park is an historic boutique hotel which offers all the modern amenities tourists require, and is the perfect place to stay if you want to run or watch and enjoy the marathon as part of your San Diego visit.
Both the San Diego marathon and half marathon follow the same starting course and end up at the same finishing point, with both races starting at 6th Avenue and Quince, and finishing at Ash Street and Union Street in the downtown San Diego area.
Runners taking part in both marathons will follow a course that takes them to North Heights, 30th Street and Mountain View Drive and then after 9 miles, the marathon runners will change direction and head north towards University Avenue West, Mission Bay and SeaWorld.
Those running the half marathon will turn south, where the course will take them to Balboa Park, Jacaranda Place and Pershing Drive.
The Rock’n’Roll marathon attracts some of the world’s best runners, but all ages and abilities are welcome.
North Carolina native, Harriette Thompson, currently holds the record for the oldest participant, running the race in 2017 at the age of 94.
— www.runrocknroll.com/en/Events/San-Diego/
— Weather San Diego
