In my haste to spend my expiring flight vouchers, I booked our flights into SF without checking what was going on that weekend. Checking the Nike marathon website, it shows that the course starts at Union Square, and travels through the Embarcadero, FW, Marina areas as well.

We are coming in on Fri. aft and leaving on Sun. aft., and haven't booked our hotel yet. Are there areas should we absolutely avoid? How early do they start blocking off the streets?

We usually stay in the Financial district area, and wanted to try for Union Square this time, but that doesn't seem too smart.

Any suggestions or insight will be appreciated.

Ivk - I'm in the same boat - I had no idea! We are staying near Union Square and flying home Sun evening.

Anyone know if we'll have trouble getting a taxi to SFO?

If the marathon starts in the morning at Union Square, I'm pretty sure that it will be "cleared out" by noon or sooner. Actually, I think I would try to stay in Union Sq just to watch the start of the marathon & all the associated activities. Union Sq can be really dead Sunday morning otherwise.

If you're leaving downtown in the morning, I would think a hotel south of Market would not be affected. There are also some hotels just west of Union Sq that would probably be OK - but it gets a little seedy 2 1/2 - 3 blocks west of Union Sq.

Taxis would know blocked streets and how to avoid congested areas.

Stu Dudley

My wife has done the Nike a couple times, and I don't think you'll have a problem. In fact, as StuDudley says, they've usually got some interesting exhibits set up in Union Square.

The race usually starts early in the morning, and ends on the coast near Golden Gate Park. So everyone will have cleared out of Union Square area by the time you need to get to SFO. And the race route goes the opposite direction of SFO from Union Square anyway.

I just checked the course map and it seems that my hotel is exactly where the race starts. I actually think it will be fun to see the beginning. We're arriving into SF on Wed afternoon so we will plan sightseeing accordingly.

I did read on the Nike site that there will be buses bringing runners back from the finish line to Union Square. I'm not sure why.

In NY, I live around the 18 mile mark for our marathon. Last year, I planned to have brunch with a friend who lives across the street (literally) from me. But I didn't cross before the first runners went by and that was it - I was trapped for hours. No brunch. I would have had to walk two miles to get to her across the street!!!!

>>I did read on the Nike site that there will be buses bringing runners back from the finish line to Union Square. I'm not sure why.>>

There is much better public transportation from the Union Square area than there is from Ocean Beach. Plus, on Sundays all the "business" parking lots will be empty and anyone who drives to the start, will have cars close to Union Sq.

They do the same for Bay to Breakers.

Stu Dudley

I did read on the Nike site that there will be buses bringing runners back from the finish line to Union Square. I'm not sure why

I imagine it's just because some will need access to their cars that they have parked near the start, or becuase the start is near BART.

Thanks for the responses. We would rather not be in the middle of the action, so will be looking south of Market for accomodations.

Hi,
South of Market sounds good to be away from the central action, but I would recommend looking into BART out of the airport, maybe catching a taxi once you are closer to the destination. You could exit at any station away from the action. It's really easy get onto the train from the airport, I've never had problems with luggage and being on a train.

They won't block off the streets until late at night. And these races usually start very early in the am. which will not be a problem for most visitors. All of the post race activities will be out at the ocean, so by late am/early pm all of the hoopla usually is over downtown. The Union Square merchants would never tolerate extended interference with shopping.

The race has admitted 20,000 participants. We are doing it and have been getting restaurants early, I noticed that the Italian "carbo loading" resturants near Union Square are booked. The race starts at 7am with people arriving around 6am. Yes, everthing should be down late morning.

They put up tents in the square, but it doesn't look like any streets will be closed except the hours of the actual marathon.