Travel and Lodging
TRAVEL
Headquarters for the Marathon is in Monterey, 120 miles south of San Francisco, 320 miles north of Los Angeles. You can fly directly into Monterey Airport, only five minutes from downtown Monterey.
Other airport options include San Jose, (70 miles away), San Francisco and Oakland (110 miles).
LODGING
The Monterey Peninsula offers a wealth and variety of lodging opportunities, including our host hotels, the Portola Hotel & Spa and the Monterey Marriott.
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Please CLICK HERE or call 1-866-711-1734 and mention the Big Sur International Marathon 2026 to receive the group rate. The Portola is located directly next to the Monterey Conference Center.
Booking open until March 24, 2026.
Transportation to Marathon start line from Downtown Parking Garages (340 Tyler Street)
Transportation to 21-Miler start line from Monterey Marriott (350 Calle Principal)
Transportation to 11-Miler start line from Waterfront One parking lot (245 Washington St)
Monterey Marriott
Please CLICK HERE or call Marriott reservations at 1-800-228-9290.
Booking open until March 24, 2026.
Transportation to Marathon start line from Downtown Parking Garages (340 Tyler Street)
Transportation to 21-Miler start line from Monterey Marriott (350 Calle Principal)
Transportation to 11-Miler start line from Waterfront One parking lot (245 Washington St)
Hilton Garden Inn Monterey
Please CLICK HERE to explore rates and book your room.
Booking open until April 3, 2026.
Transportation to Marathon start line from Monterey Peninsula College (980 Fremont St)
Transportation for all Relay legs from Monterey Peninsula College (980 Fremont St)
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa
Please CLICK HERE for access to the Big Sur International Marathon group room block at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa on Del Monte Golf Course.
Booking open until March 30, 2026.
Carmel lodging
While we do not offer room blocks at any Carmel hotels, there are several popular boutique hotels and vacation rentals options in Carmel. The best transportation option for Marathoners staying in Carmel is the Carmel Plaza pickup location (corner of Ocean Avenue & Junipero). Please check out our website for more info on Carmel By The Sea.
MARATHON TOURS
Marathon Tours & Travel offers travel packages with hotel, and other special benefits including entries to the 2026 Big Sur Marathon as well as Boston 2 Big Sur. Two packages with guaranteed entry are available at an additional cost: a four-night package and a three-night package at the Portola Hotel & Spa. Please note that each package is limited to space and will be on a first-come, first-served basis beginning August 13th. To learn more, click here.
CAMPGROUNDS & OTHER HOTELS
For campgrounds and hotels in the Big Sur area (close to the Marathon start), click HERE.
Monterey Peninsula camping, RV parks and hostel:
Veteran’s Memorial Park (camping) 831.646.3865
Marina Dunes RV Park 831.384.6914
Monterey Hostel 831.649.0375
Saddle Mountain Ranch Campground, 831.624.1617 www.carmelcamping.com
