The 2011 San Francisco Marathon | Best Viewing Locations

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Sunday, July 31, 2011 - 5:30 am to 12:00 pm | Cost: FREE*

There are several options for you, as a spectator, to see your runner or to cheer on. Listed below are some options and recommended viewing locations.

The Start Line for the 1st Half Marathon and Full Marathon is on the Embarcadero at Mission Street. The Start Line for the 2nd Half Marathon and the Finish Line for the 1st Half Marathon is in Golden Gate Park near the Rose Garden (on JFK). The Finish Line for the 2nd Half Marathon and the Full Marathon is on the Embarcadero at Folsom.

Spectator Bus Tickets

Option 1:

There is a one-way bus to the 1st Half Finish Line in Golden Gate Park.
Tickets sold at expo.
What can you see in Golden Gate Park:
- Marathon: Mile 17.5
  If you walk less than a mile west of the drop-off point to John F. Kennedy Drive and Transverse, you can see runners entering the park at Mile 12.5 and then again, they pass you at Mile 16.
- First Half Marathon: Finish Line
Getting back: There is no return service with the bus, so spectators must find their own transportation back to the Main Finish Line. Our suggestion is to take the 5-Fulton Line ($2.00) from Fulton and 12th Ave to Market and 1st St.

Option 2:

There is a hop-on/hop-off bus that services 3 stops:
- Stop 1: Crissy Field
- Stop 2: Golden Gate Park – at 25th and Fulton; see Full Marathoners twice or Half Marathoners finish
- Stop 3: Potrero Hill – at 15th and Bryant; located 1 block from Sports Basement Cheer Station
Tickets sold at expo.
You purchase your tickets based on what time you would like to start the service. From there, you can hop-on/hop-off any bus that comes by that shuttle stop.
This bus starts and finishes at Mission and Steuart, and runs from 5:45-11:30a.

Official Cheer Stations

Join Sports Basement in cheering on our runners!

Sports Basement – Presidio is located at Mile 4.5 and will be cheering on runners from approx. 5:30AM – 7:30AM.

Sports Basement – Bryant St. is located just before Mile 22. Come out and cheer between 7:00AM and 11:45AM

Suggested Spectator Viewing Locations

#1: Presidio (between miles 4 and 5)
The steepest hill of the race is between miles 4 and 5 – right around the second water stop. Help support the participants by cheering them on as they go up this hill and enjoy beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Sports Basement is located at 610 Mason St. in the Presidio, across from Crissy Field.

#2: Yelp Cheer Station (right before mile 13)
Come out to the Yelp Cheer Station with your yelpiest noise makers and pick up a free complimentary Yelp Blood and Tears sweatband and Yelpstick. At this cheering spot you can view the participants at different times in the race. Spectators can take the Spectator Bus from the Ferry Building to Golden Gate Park to cheer on the runners at this location, and then head back to the Ferry Building to meet the runners at the main finish line. Bring your kazoos, cowbells, pots and pans, and of course your loudest cheer voices to support the Yelp SF Marathon team.

#3: The 1st Half Marathon Finish in Golden Gate Park (1st Half Mile 13.1)
Cheer your loved one at the Half Marathon point of the race. Cheer on the marathon runners, while watching the finish of the 1st Half Marathon. This cheer area is located on JFK Drive at 14th Avenue in Golden Gate Park’s Rose Garden. Take the Spectator Bus from the Main Start Line to watch your runner finish.

#4: The 2nd Half Marathon Start in Golden Gate Park
Cheer your loved one at the 2nd Half Marathon Start. Cheer on the marathon runners, while watching the start of the 2nd Half Marathon. This cheer area is located at the corner of JFK Drive and 36th Avenue in Golden Gate Park. After cheering at the start, take the Spectator Bus to the main Finish Line to watch your runner finish the race!

#5: Haight Ashbury (between miles 19 & 20)
Watch runners cross this popular intersection in the Upper Haight District of the city. Runners need your support as they head into the final 10k. You can grab some breakfest or coffee as you wait at the many local cafes. This location can be found at the corner of Haight St. and Ashbury.

#6: Potrero Hill and the “Dogpatch” (mile 22)
Make some noise and help participants at one of the more difficult parts of the race. Cheer, dance and support the participants around Mile 22 by the Sports Basement in Dogpatch to help them finish the race.

#7: Lululemon Cheer Station (between miles 23 & 24)
Bring neon, hula hoops, and noisemakers! Team Lululemon is setting up shop in the final miles of the Marathon and 2nd Half Marathon.

#8: Terry Francois Blvd. (miles 24-25)
This is the Art Mile, where the marathon is spicing things up this year SF-style. Be on the lookout for SF’s best art cars and cheer groups. Join in the fun by bringing costumes, party favors and your dancing shoes.

#9: The Nature Conservancy Cheer Station (mile 25)
Join actress Sophia Bush and Team Nature Conservancy at mile 25. Just listen for the drum circle to find them.