2024 EVENT POSTPONED to 2025 while a new “finish destination” is determined.*** Get out your running shoes and start preparing for the City to the Sea point-to-point half marathon, which starts in America’s Happiest City – San Luis Obispo, CA, and ends in the beautiful coastal town of Pismo Beach. …
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2024 EVENT POSTPONED to 2025 while a new “finish destination” is determined.
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Get out your running shoes and start preparing for the City to the Sea point-to-point half marathon, which starts in America’s Happiest City – San Luis Obispo, CA, and ends in the beautiful coastal town of Pismo Beach. Run through historic downtown, backroads, and towns of SLO and Pismo.
The City to the Sea half marathon course is a point-to-point race that starts in downtown San Luis Obispo. The course winds through the city, takes runners along scenic backroads, including the Bob Jones Trail, and ends alongside the Pacific Ocean, with incredible view of the Pacific Ocean, in the coastal community of Pismo Beach.
The City to the Sea event is family-friendly, and we want everyone to participate. If 13.1 miles is not your preferred distance, you’ll love our 5k race (3.1 miles), which takes place in beautiful Pismo Beach. Our Seaside 5k course (3.1 miles) is out-and-back and begins and ends in Pismo Beach at Dinosaur Caves Park, near the finish expo for the half marathon. The scenic course winds through the beautiful neighborhoods of Shell Beach with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. There is one challenging climb on this otherwise gentle course.
The Kids’ Fun Run will take place within Dinosaur Caves Park, near the finish expo for the half marathon. The race will begin at 8:30AM. Reserve one of 150 spots by registering now. Registration will be available on race day if there are spots left. Entry fee is $5, with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics of San Luis Obispo. The Kids’ Fun Run is open to kids ages 10 and under.
After the race, relax on the bluffs by the ocean listening to live music, perusing the expo booths, dining on a delicious (and well-earned) breakfast, and participating in fitness activities with your kids.
Buses and shuttles will take you back to the start-line area in San Luis Obispo, or to Pismo Beach City Hall. You may also arrange for your own private transportation if you prefer.
Since 1995, the City to the Sea half-marathon race has been organized to raise funds for the Cuesta College track and field and cross-country teams. Your race registration helps ensure that the athletes can continue training and racing in one of the California junior college system’s best programs.
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Awesome course and views!!
A one way course from downtown SLO out to Pismo. Had everything a course needed to make it fun!! Hills, flats, downhills, and some fun trails. Course markings were easy … MORE
A one way course from downtown SLO out to Pismo. Had everything a course needed to make it fun!! Hills, flats, downhills, and some fun trails. Course markings were easy to follow.
Great course on CA's central coast
If your race preference is for music, ballyhoo, costumes, and fanfare, you’ll probably want to find another race. But if you’re a half-marathoner who simply loves to run or who’s … MORE
If your race preference is for music, ballyhoo, costumes, and fanfare, you’ll probably want to find another race. But if you’re a half-marathoner who simply loves to run or who’s looking for a new type of challenge to motivate your training, then do yourself a favor and check out the City to the Sea Half Marathon in San Luis Obispo. This half also makes a great option for 50-Staters looking for a distinctive California race.
The course is mostly rural with an urban feel anchored on each end of the point-to-point course. Although the course is a net downhill similar to Boston, the course isn’t necessarily PR-friendly. The first two-thirds of the course gives runners a false sense of security with a rather flat profile. But there’s no such thing as a free lunch, the final third is where runners must pay the piper with two rather noteworthy hills. Within the confines of Pismo Beach, one may brand the inclines somewhere between “rolling” and “hilly”.
City to the Sea serves as the chief fundraiser for the Cuesta College track and field program. Early bird registration is rather reasonable for a half marathon at $75 and increases to $100 for those who prefer to register late, but it’s a solid value – in terms of production. As for swag, you get what you pay for – a cotton tee. That’s it, not even a drop bag.
Besides socializing with other runners post-race at Dinosaur Caves Park, runners are given a complimentary craft beer for those who like such brews. Expect to find a handful of food truck vendors as well as a local band playing music for entertainment.
Given its proximity to Thanksgiving, this race may also serve to rev up your metabolism to tackle the gluttony one may experience on turkey day.
Great weather, well organized, fun.
This is my 3rd year running this race. Here is where I ran my 1st ever half and this year I came for my 32nd. Race starts right on time … MORE
This is my 3rd year running this race. Here is where I ran my 1st ever half and this year I came for my 32nd. Race starts right on time like always. No delays. 13.15 for the distance. 451 ft of gain and 611 ft loss. First 5 miles are slightly downhill with hillier miles being mile 6 and 10. Great volunteers, plenty aid stations. Park at finish and take bus to start or park at start and then take bus back to start once you finish your race. Race day packet pickup available. 2 free beers included, nice medal and shirt.
2nd timer
This was my second time running the half marathon, City to the Sea. I trained outside and on hills and felt much more prepared. My goal was to run the … MORE
This was my second time running the half marathon, City to the Sea. I trained outside and on hills and felt much more prepared. My goal was to run the entire way, and I did it! The scenery was beautiful. The race volunteers were very encouraging. The burritos after the race were a perfect after race meal.
A nice getaway
My second time running this and it is consistently well produced. I reviewed it from my first time, but will just reiterate this is a great weekend away if you … MORE
My second time running this and it is consistently well produced. I reviewed it from my first time, but will just reiterate this is a great weekend away if you live in LA or SF areas. Nice people, good weather, course is not tough, but has some rolling hills mid-race. It is a point to point, so best to have someone at the end to either take you back or hang with. They do have shuttles back to your car, but not as much fun as making it the end of your weekend and then heading home, with lots of food stops on the way!
Beautiful
City to the Sea is a great half marathon for beginners. It is a beautiful run with rolling hills. Training outside is great preparation for this run. The race volunteers … MORE
City to the Sea is a great half marathon for beginners. It is a beautiful run with rolling hills. Training outside is great preparation for this run. The race volunteers were very encouraging.
Beautiful run!
Beautiful run from downtown San Luis Obispo to Pismo Beach. The course winds thru the vineyards and then the final miles are long the coast ending in a large park … MORE
Beautiful run from downtown San Luis Obispo to Pismo Beach. The course winds thru the vineyards and then the final miles are long the coast ending in a large park in Pismo Beach. Only complaint – Race packet pick-up was a little slow at the Running Warehouse – had to stand in line in the hot sun.
Point to point, and a lovely course
This race runs from SLO to Pismo, and once you are out of the town portion of SLO, the course is fairly rural. I've run in a couple times and … MORE
This race runs from SLO to Pismo, and once you are out of the town portion of SLO, the course is fairly rural. I’ve run in a couple times and both times finished with a respectable time, which surprised me as I was (at that time) struggling with rolling hills. I’ve come to embrace rollies, and use them to my advantage. The last mile is a little tough with constant small ups and downs, but the view of the ocean is a good way to distract yourself and push the pace. Well organized and the finish area is fun. They do shuttle you back to SLO if you do not have someone waiting for you at Pismo.