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Bay to Breakers 2012

Find the best places to watch the 101st edition of SF’s craziest race | Sunday
By - posted 5/17/2012 No Comment

Bring your tortillas (stale preferred), your costumed, your semi-naked and your beer (try to be discreet) and participate in one of the largest races in America, and also one of the most strange and “San Francentric.”

The third Sunday in May (May 20th in 2012) sees the 101st edition of “Bay to Breakers” the crown jewel of SF events with over 70,000+ race/walk/stroll 7.46 miles from Bay (Howard/Beale) to Breakers (the western end of Golden Gate Park) in a costumed mass of people.

Best Places to Watch Bay to Breakers 2012:
Spectators line the entire course, but some of the best viewing spots are:

  • Pre-race: climb atop a trash can near Embarcadero Station to get an over-the-top view of everyone in costume racing to the event.
  • Along Alamo Square at the top of Hayes Street Hill – amazing view of 70,000 all climbing Hayes Street.
  • In front of the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park
  • Finish Line on the Great Highway

Where’s your favorite place to watch? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Race Registration:
To participate in the race technically you have to have registered but many people just show up and race anyway as long as you avoid the Howard Street starting point. We won’t tell anyone. The event is free to watch and is almost just as fun. Please note that supposedly cops will be on hand to remove unregistered runners and hassle spectators for drinking in public and kicking out naked people and floats. Use your brain out there.

Course Map