Big Sur International Marathon 2028
26.2 miles up a closed Highway 1 — routinely called the most scenic marathon in America.
runners streaming over the queensboro bridge at sunrise, city cheering from sidewalks
When is Big Sur International Marathon 2028 — and where do RVers stay?
Big Sur International Marathon 2028 takes place on Apr 30, 2028 in Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1), California. Book an RV from a local California host about 10 weeks out and set up camp within an easy drive of Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1) — arrive a day early, leave a day late.
Plan your trip · Apr 30, 2028 · Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)
Rent an RV near Big Sur International Marathon 2028
Search opens on your Apr 30, 2028 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Book from local California hosts before the event weekend fills.
- Dates
- Apr 30, 2028
- Days away
- 645
- Location
- Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)
- Book ahead
- 10+ wk
- Demand window
- Plan ahead
Hosting near Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1)? Event weekends book first — list your rig and fill the calendar.
List your rig →Know before you go
What you need to know
The Big Sur International Marathon runs point-to-point up Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel on a road closed entirely for the race — past Bixby Bridge, with a grand piano traditionally playing at Hurricane Point's base. It is set for April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, per the race's published future dates — and entry is by lottery and registration tiers that open the preceding summer. The logistics are the trick: runners bus to the start in darkness because the course road is closed, and spectator access along Highway 1 is essentially nil — supporters wait in Carmel. That makes an RV base in the Monterey area the practical setup: Marina Dunes RV Park sits on the dunes 20 minutes north of Carmel, and the Monterey Peninsula fills race weekend, so 10 weeks of lead protects your options. Late April is superb on the central coast — whales migrating, hills green — and the same rig covers a Highway 1 recovery cruise south once the road reopens.
Official source: bigsurmarathon.org
Safety + legal
Race-morning fog and 40-degree starts are normal on this coast — runners and waiting families should both pack warm layers that peel to sunshine by 10am.
Insider tip — what you won't find elsewhere
Highway 1 south of Carmel is closed to vehicles until early afternoon on race day — plan your rig's moves for the day before or the evening after, not race morning.
Plan-ahead runway
Book early, arrive easy — the whole runway
Event weekends book first. Here is the honest runway from lock-your-rig to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Book by
~10 weeks out
Event weekends fill first — lock your rig early.
Arrive
Apr 29
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Apr 30
Big Sur International Marathon 2028
Head home
May 1
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
What to bring
Best rigs for Big Sur International Marathon 2028
Plan it by rig
Each recommended class has its own Big Sur International Marathon 2028 planning page — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked about Big Sur International Marathon 2028
When is Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Big Sur International Marathon 2028 takes place on Apr 30, 2028 in Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1), California.
Where is Big Sur International Marathon 2028 held?
Big Sur to Carmel (Highway 1), California.
What are the 2028 dates for Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Apr 30, 2028 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans. The Big Sur International Marathon runs point-to-point up Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel on a road closed entirely for the race — past Bixby Bridge, with a grand piano traditionally playing at Hurricane Point's base. It is set for April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, per the race's published future dates — and entry is by lottery and registration tiers that open the preceding summer. The logistics are the trick: runners bus to the start in darkness because the course road is closed, and spectator access along Highway 1 is essentially nil — supporters wait in Carmel. That makes an RV base in the Monterey area the practical setup: Marina Dunes RV Park sits on the dunes 20 minutes north of Carmel, and the Monterey Peninsula fills race weekend, so 10 weeks of lead protects your options. Late April is superb on the central coast — whales migrating, hills green — and the same rig covers a Highway 1 recovery cruise south once the road reopens.
How early should I book an RV for Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Recommended lead time: 10 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
When is the Big Sur Marathon 2028?
April 30, 2028 — the last Sunday of April, published on the race's official future-events page. Entry lotteries and registration tiers open the preceding summer.
Can spectators watch along the Big Sur course?
Essentially no — Highway 1 is closed for the race and spectator access along the route is extremely limited. Support crews base in Carmel near the finish; an RV at Marina Dunes RV Park is a strong setup.
Does an RV work for Big Sur itself after the race?
Yes — once the road reopens, Highway 1 south is one of America's classic RV drives. Check current road-status advisories for Big Sur before the trip; the highway does close for slides some seasons.
What safety + legal guidance applies for Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Race-morning fog and 40-degree starts are normal on this coast — runners and waiting families should both pack warm layers that peel to sunshine by 10am.
What's an insider tip for Big Sur International Marathon 2028?
Highway 1 south of Carmel is closed to vehicles until early afternoon on race day — plan your rig's moves for the day before or the evening after, not race morning.
Ready to roll?
California is waiting.
Complete nightly price on every listing — your exact total itemized before you pay · 48h free cancel. Every rig near you, one checkout.
Stay on site
RVs near Los Angeles — sleep at the venue, skip the hotel.
Base your whole weekend for Big Sur International Marathon 2028 from a rig parked where the action is: your own beds, kitchen, and gear locker, with no drive back to a room across town. Browse what local owners list around Los Angeles and lock your dates early — event weekends book first.
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Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Per-state legal callout · CA
Before you rent in California — key local rules
Noncommercial Class B for motorhomes > 40 ft or > 3 axles
California requires a noncommercial Class B license for housecars over 40 ft OR with more than 3 axles. Standard Class C covers most rental motorhomes under that threshold (CA VC §12804.9, §12804.10). Out-of-state visitors must meet the same standard.
California Vehicle Code §12804 · verified 2026-05-24
California Boater Card mandatory by 2025 (all ages)
As of January 1, 2025, all motorized-vessel operators must carry the California Boater Card. The card is issued for life after passing a NASBLA-approved course administered by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.
California State Parks — Boater Card · verified 2026-05-24
Green sticker / red sticker required for OHV use on public land
California OHVs must display a current OHV registration sticker (green = year-round, red = restricted seasons for 2003-and-earlier 2-stroke) on any state-managed riding area. Issued by DMV; renewed every 2 years.
California State Parks OHMVR Division · verified 2026-05-24
0.08% BAC limit; open container prohibited in passenger area
Standard 0.08% BAC for drivers (0.04% for commercial). California enforces the federal open-container framework: alcoholic beverages must be sealed or stored in a non-passenger area (e.g., RV living-quarters separator closed) while the vehicle is on a public roadway.
California Vehicle Code §23222 · verified 2026-05-24
California rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- Rental tax
- 9.75%
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Permit required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-06:00