THE RACE COURSE
The race begins in the Embarcadero area fronting San Francisco Bay and ends on the Great Highway alongside the Pacific Ocean's breakers (hence its name). Most of the 7.46 miles (12 kilometers) are flat, with the notable exception of Hayes Street's five-block hill. After that, it's generally an easy coast to and through Golden Gate Park and to the finish line.
Minor changes in 2013: The official starting line is at Howard and Main streets, and the course makes a little jiggle in Golden Gate Park.

THE START: 7-8 AM
Registered runners go to separate corrals for staggered starting times that depend on their speed. The first group that’s set loose, at 7 am, comprises the swift Kenyans and other seeded and sub-seeded runners who pre-submitted verification of their race times. Then come the rest of us, who’ll take about an hour, or heck, maybe more than two hours, to cross the finish line.
Race organizers suggest arriving in the starting area 30 minutes before your start time.

BEST PLACES TO WATCH BAY TO BREAKERS

• The bottom of Hayes Street Hill—Stand back and look up at a clump of sweaty humanity toiling up the hill.
• Alamo Square facing Hayes Street—Having conquered the hill, the runners are grinning.
• Along the Panhandle
• In front of the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park
• At the finish line on the Great Highway—Especially if you want to catch record-holders and record-breakers.

 

COSTUME CONTEST
At the finish line on the Great Highway, at 8-11 am
Come in or as the Best Individual Costume, Best Centipede (a team of at least 13 runners tethered together) or Group Costume, Best Celebrity or Politician or Best San Francisco Original (any iconic person, place or thing), and you’ll win $250.

All registered runners are eligible to enter the contest, and judging happens from 8-11 am. Winners will be announced at 3 pm on the Bay to Breakers website.

FINISH LINE FESTIVITIES
Along the Great Highway between Lincoln and Fulton, at 8:30 am-1 pm
Party in the parking lot of Ocean Beach. Here's where to find music and your friends and roam among food trucks, sponsors giving freebies, a beer garden and exhibits. Pick up your runner’s T-shirt (but expect a line). Race results and awards will be announced around 9:30 am. Free and open to the public.

TRANSPORTATION: To & From Bay to Breakers

Bauer's Shuttles, $13-23

• Shuttles at 5:30 am from the Emeryville, Millbrae and Mill Valley park & ride lots to the starting area, and at 11:30 am from the finish line back to the lots.
• One-way shuttles from the finish line to the starting area.
• One-way shuttles from the finish line to BART.

 

SFMTA (Muni) Special Event Shuttle, $12
Check Muni’s website for info on special shuttles between various locations in San Francisco and the race (it had none as of May 14, though), or call 511. A Muni Special Event sticker, sold on May 19 for $12 (cash only), is valid for the Muni special event shuttles and all other Muni transportation that day from 4:45 am until 5 pm, except for cable cars. Note that Muni Fastpasses and Clipper cards are not valid for riding on the special event shuttles.

Embarcadero Center Parking
Show your race bib to get a special $10 rate on race day at the AMPCO System Parking in the four Embarcadero Centers.