The Long Beach Marathon is a shoreline race. The spectator plan is the Aquarium and Pike finish, not a drive along the beach cities.
Shoreline is the commitment
Start and finish sit near the Aquarium of the Pacific. If you are already staying on the water, the beach path near the start is a second look you can walk. Belmont Shore is a real section of the course and a separate trip. Going there means missing the finish unless you leave immediately.
- Base: Aquarium and Shoreline finish festival.
- Second look: beach path, on foot, if you are already there.
- Skip: driving to Belmont Shore and back.
Getting there
The A Line to Downtown Long Beach, then a walk, is the clean way in. Ocean Boulevard closes. Other California marathons on the coast have the same rule: park off the course and walk.
Where to meet
Festival side of the chute, inland of the finish. Agree on a landmark before the start. Cell service on the water is uneven once the finish fills up.