I got a lottery spot for Big Sur Marathon 2022.
Any suggestions for lodging would be appreciated. Budget is not an issue/concern. Something that simplifies logistics and is really nice Igor my wife to enjoy while I run the race. I’ll be traveling with my wife and 3 year old son, so Post Ranch Inn (amazing property) is out unfortunately.
A few years ago, I stayed at an Airbnb in Pacific Grove and was happy. Monterey would also be a good choice.
The shuttles to take the runners down to the start line leave early in the am hours and your family can’t really spectate so I suggest staying close to the finish line.
The following campgrounds have cabins for rent along the river. You have 3 year old so it would be a nice outdoor experience.
Big sur campgrounds and cabins
Riverside
Fernwood.
Also Big Sur River Inn has a nice restaraunt on site we eat there when we are at the campground, I’ve never stayed at the inn but it looks nice and is pricey.
We preferred the riverside as the owners/workers were super nice to us over the years. I haven’t been in a couple years but they used keep a manual reservation system a year ahead of time and you can call now and see if they have openings and then they actually fill up the reservation calendar every January and put any openings left on the internet at that time. Big sur campgrounds has a couple really nice riverfront cabins I’m sure they are expensive if you want to spend some money. We always walk by those and wished we could stay in one.
Thank you both. Yes, is a bit more confusing than doing something like an urban marathon (Chicago, etc.) with the shuttles and various spread out towns one could stay at. So if my wife wanted to be close to finish line to potentially be there, it looks like Carmel would be a good place to stay? The river front cabin does also look nice and quite fun for our son though.
As the race is point to point Big Sur → Carmel, it is easier to stay north of the finish (Carmel, Pac Grove, Monterey). Personally I like Pac Grove as it has restaurants, has a very compact downtown, beautiful walks by the ocean etc…
It has been a while since I did this race, but there was easy parking at the finish and no problem getting out post race. The bus in the dark is fun going along the coast, that was the primary way for folks to get to the start.
Enjoy the race, the drummers on Bixby Bridge was a highlight. It is an amazing and tough course, definitely one of the best in the world.
I got a lottery spot for Big Sur Marathon 2022.
Any suggestions for lodging would be appreciated. Budget is not an issue/concern. Something that simplifies logistics and is really nice Igor my wife to enjoy while I run the race. I’ll be traveling with my wife and 3 year old son, so Post Ranch Inn (amazing property) is out unfortunately.
If the shuttle still runs from the Crossroads plaza, you might find some slightly more reasonably priced accommodation down Carmel Valley Road as well. Then you can ride over Laureles Grade and back for fun the next day. (Ha ha.)
I’m so sorry you are doing BSIM. I hope you are okay.
The Hilton just up the road from the finish line is great for the spectators. The shuttle bus is an easy pick up, family can get to and from easily, and they (generally) allow late check out so you can shower after. And it is a nice property.
Enjoy the mile markers, train for the camber, and if all goes well, the highway won’t fall off into the sea.
I’ve stayed at the Portola Hotel and Spa several times. Walk to the start and finish, close to everything, really good meals, right next to the wharf. I was a sponsored athlete, so I don’t know what it cost. Really, really nice place.
I’ve stayed at the Portola Hotel and Spa several times. Walk to the start and finish, close to everything, really good meals, right next to the wharf. I was a sponsored athlete, so I don’t know what it cost. Really, really nice place.
You’re thinking about the half in November. The Portola Hotel is nowhere near either the start or finish of the full marathon.
To the OP: I’ve run BSIM 9 times, and I’ve stayed at pretty much all the options: Monterey, Pacific Grove, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and Carmel. Big Sur is great for rolling out to the start without having to get up early, but it’s not easy to get back once you finish. Ventana and Post Ranch are both nice options, though. Pacific Grove is probably the best option, unless you can get the Carmel Mission Inn right by the finish - the shuttle buses go from there as well, so it’s very easy. My favorite was the Carmel Highlands Inn, which is at mile 23 of the race, and I do remember thinking - as the going got tough - I could just go back to my hotel room right now. It was a steep uphill, though, so I just kept on going and finished. Anyway, the experience there is superb; it’s not that tricky to get back post-race, either, as long as you don’t have to check out by noon.
Enjoy - I love that race!
Ian