If you are staying at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, your room package includes event-day bus transportation. See below for details specific to your event.
SHERATON BUSES ARE FOR HOTEL GUESTS ONLY. A VALID ROOM KEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BOARD.
Buses to the Half Marathon Start – 4:30 to 5:30 AM
The only way to access the Half Marathon start line is via an event-provided bus. Participant drop-offs are not allowed at or near the start line.
Buses will depart from the front of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina between 4:30 and 5:30 AM and transport runners only (no spectators) to the Half Marathon start area at Cabrillo National Monument. See the bus pickup map here.
Follow event staff instructions when boarding to be sure you are boarding a Half Marathon bus. Separate 5K buses will depart at 5:10. Boarding the wrong bus will likely prevent you from reaching the half marathon start.
You must have your Half Marathon bib number to board the bus. If you cannot attend Expo/Packet Pickup due to travel arrangements or another circumstance, email us by 3:00 PM on Saturday, and we will leave your packet at the hotel front desk.
Buses to the 5K Start – 5:10 AM
The 5K bus will depart from the front of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina at 5:10 AM and transport runners to the 5K start/finish line. Sheraton guests who are both 5K participants and spectators may use this bus.
Follow event staff instructions and board the marked 5K bus. Separate Half Marathon buses will depart for Cabrillo National Monument. Please confirm you are boarding the correct bus, as taking the wrong bus may prevent you from reaching your race start on time. See the bus pickup map here.
You must have your 5K bib number to start the race. If you cannot attend Expo/Packet Pickup due to travel arrangements or another circumstance, email us by 3:00 PM on Saturday, and we will leave your packet at the hotel front desk. Otherwise, you will need to pick up your bib at Balboa Park on race morning for a $25 fee.
You may drive yourself to the 5K start/finish area. Follow the driving directions below. Paid parking is available throughout Balboa Park and the surrounding area. Allow at least 30 additional minutes for parking.
Spectators Staying at the Sheraton
Although spectators are not permitted at the half marathon starting line, spectators are welcome and encouraged to visit the Finish Line Festival in Balboa Park, which is also the location of the 5K start and finish line. There are a few transportation options for getting from the Sheraton to the Finish Line Festival:
Take the 5K bus, which departs at 5:10 AM
Use a service such as Uber, Lyft, or a taxi
Drive a personal vehicle using the provided directions. To avoid traffic delays on race morning, exit the hotel prior to 6:30 AM. There will be significant delays between 7 and 8:30 AM: From the main entrance of the hotel, turn left onto Harbor Island Drive, turn right onto N Harbor Drive, turn left onto Grape, take Interstate 5 South, exit 10th Avenue to A Street, turn left onto A Street, turn left onto Park Boulevard. Paid parking is available on the east side of Park Boulevard at President’s Way and further north along Park Boulevard.
Return Buses from the Finish Line Festival to the Sheraton – 8:30 to 10:45 AM
Buses will depart from the southwest corner of the Park Blvd & Presidents Way intersection from 8:30 – 10:45 AM. Both runners and spectators are welcome to use the return buses. The bus pick-up location can be seen on the finish line area map here.
