California’s Top Races in 2026

Explore some of the most popular road races in California, with more race categories and regional guides coming soon.

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Surf City Half Marathon — Huntington Beach
One of California’s best-known coastal half marathons, Surf City is famous for its flat, oceanfront course along Pacific Coast Highway and past the Huntington Beach Pier. Great option for runners chasing a scenic race with PR potential.

Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay — Monterey
A classic destination race with serious California appeal. Big Sur’s race organization highlights its long-running event brand and beautiful Monterey-area race experience, which gives this one major recognition with runners planning travel races.

Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon — Napa / Sonoma
This is one of the state’s standout wine-country races, running from Napa through vineyard scenery to a finish in Sonoma Plaza. It is built as a “runcation” experience, not just a race.

2XU Long Beach Half Marathon — Long Beach
A major Southern California race weekend with strong visibility. The event promotes a scenic urban-coastline course and says the broader race weekend draws 25,000+ runners, making the half one of the more prominent California options.

Monterey Bay Half Marathon — Monterey
A scenic and established Central Coast half marathon with a downtown Monterey start and low-elevation course profile. Strong option for runners who want ocean views without the bigger-brand Big Sur feel.

Berkeley Half Marathon — Berkeley
One of the better-known Bay Area half marathons. The race markets itself as a hometown favorite and highlights a USATF-certified 13.1-mile course through Berkeley.

Urban Cow Half Marathon — Sacramento
A Sacramento staple and one of the city’s most recognizable race weekends. Urban Cow positions itself as a top local running event, and its course highlights major Sacramento landmarks and neighborhoods.

Carlsbad Half Marathon — Carlsbad
A well-known North County San Diego race that has been around long enough to build strong regional awareness. Good fit for runners looking for a January half in coastal Southern California.

San Diego Holiday Half Marathon — San Diego
A fast late-season race with a net downhill profile, making it attractive to runners looking for speed. The official race site explicitly pitches it as a personal-best candidate.