A good number of streets across the northern half of the city will be closed by the San Francisco Marathon this weekend. Runners and spectators will come from all over to participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 5K or ultradistance events.
The race was started in 1977 by the Pamakid Runners. Now organized by Jumping Fences Inc., the marathon draws thousands of runners every year for 26.2 miles of sweeping views, including from the span of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Vehicle traffic and pedestrian access in many neighborhoods will be blocked or significantly delayed by the races from midnight Saturday through early Sunday afternoon.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will announce route changes for all impacted bus and streetcar lines later this week, according to a spokesperson. Check the agency’s website for updates.
Here’s what you need to know to get around during the San Francisco Marathon.
Street Closures Sunday
The Embarcadero: 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Northbound Embarcadero-King Street will be closed from Third Street to Broadway.
- Southbound Embarcadero will be closed from Broadway to Harrison Street.
Fisherman’s Wharf: 5-10:30 a.m.
- No vehicles will be allowed on Jefferson Street between Powell and Hyde streets.
Marina District: 5-9 a.m.
- Bay Street’s westbound lanes will be closed.
- Northbound Laguna Street from Bay Street to Marina Boulevard will be closed.
- Westbound lanes of Marina Boulevard to Yacht Road will be closed..
Golden Gate Bridge: 4-10 a.m.
- Vehicle traffic will remain open in both directions throughout the event. The east side bridge sidewalk will open at 8:45 a.m. to bikes and pedestrians. The bridge’s west sidewalk will open at 10 a.m. to bikes only.
- The Golden Gate Bridge exit and the parking area will remain open on the southside of the bridge.
- The Vista Point exit on the northeast side and the Vista Point parking lot will be closed from 4 to 10 a.m.
Alexander Avenue Exit and Fort Baker: 5-10 a.m.
- Alexander Avenue will be open to traffic from Fort Baker only. Motorists from Sausalito will be diverted to continue North on U.S. 101 to Bridgeway.
Presidio and Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Midnight Saturday to 10:15 a.m. Sunday
- There will be no access to the Golden Gate Bridge through the Presidio from midnight to 10 a.m.
- Lincoln Boulevard—along with all intersections onto Lincoln Boulevard from 25th Avenue to Lendrum Court—will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Baker Beach residents may enter and exit the housing areas via the service road from Battery Caulfield. Traffic will be allowed access and egress from Brooks Court and Baker Court via Lincoln Boulevard.
- Mason Street and all intersections onto Mason Street will be closed from the Marina Gate to Crissy Field Avenue from 4:30 to 10 a.m.
- Crissy Field Avenue will be closed from 4:30 to 10 a.m.
Richmond District: 6-10:30 a.m.
- Eastbound and westbound vehicle traffic should expect delays at 26th and 27th avenues.
- 26th and 27th Avenues from Fulton Street to Lake Street are closed to through traffic. Cross traffic will be allowed intermittently on California Street, Clement Street, Geary Boulevard, Balboa Street or Cabrillo Street. Expect significant delays.
- Residents west of 27th Avenue are encouraged to use the Great Highway to Lincoln Way.
Sunset and Richmond Districts: 5-11 a.m.
- North and south access through Golden Gate Park should be 19th Avenue-Park Presidio. Expect significant delays.
- Southbound Crossover Drive to Transverse Drive at John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park will be closed.
- 19th Avenue to Stow Lake Drive will be closed from 5 to 11 a.m.
Upper Haight Street: 6:30-11:30 a.m.
- North and south access across upper Haight Street should use Kezar Drive from or to Lincoln off Oak and Fell streets. Expect significant delays.
Lower Haight Street: 6:30-11:45 a.m.
- North and south access across lower Haight Street should use Steiner or Fillmore streets. Expect significant delays.
Market Street: 6:30 a.m. to noon
- Westbound and eastbound travel on Market Street at Duboce Avenue and Guerrero Street should expect significant delays.
Mission and Potrero districts: 6:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Northbound and southbound traffic needing to cross over 15th, 16th and 17th streets should use Highway 280 or Highway 101 whenever possible. Crossovers are available at some streets but significant delays should be expected at Valencia Street, South Van Ness Avenue, Folsom Street, Bryant Street or Potrero Street.
Third Street Detour: 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Third Street will be affected between Mariposa and 20th streets.
- Southbound traffic should use westbound Mariposa Street to Tennessee (south) to westbound 18th Street overpass to southbound Pennsylvania Street to eastbound 20th or 23rd Street to Third Street.
- Northbound traffic should use westbound 23rd or 20th streets to northbound Pennsylvania Street to eastbound 18th Street to Tennessee to Mariposa to Third Street.
South Beach: 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Terry Francois Boulevard will be closed.