Ferry Building Marketplace 12:00 AM
Even if you're not running, marathon weekend is one of the best times to see San Francisco come alive. The San Francisco Marathon winds through many of the city's most iconic neighborhoods, sending thousands of runners across the Golden Gate Bridge, along the Embarcadero, through Golden Gate Park, and up the hills that locals know all too well. Spectators line the route with homemade signs, coffee in hand, and plenty of encouragement, creating neighborhood block-party energy from the first wave of runners to the last. Every section of the course has its own personality, whether you're cheering beside the waterfront, catching the action in Golden Gate Park, or joining the crowds near the finish line. You don't need a race bib to be part of the experience. Sometimes the best way to enjoy marathon weekend is simply to find a good spot, cheer for strangers, and soak up one of the city's most spirited traditions.