Upcoming Half Marathons in California (2026)

Fall is when California's race calendar gets loud in the best way. Cooler mornings, long coastal light, and a full slate of options — there are 24 upcoming half marathons in the state right now, which is enough to fill a whole season or to pick one and build everything else around it.

Whether this is your first 13.1 or one of many, that kind of choice is a good problem. You can chase a Bay Area classic, run along the coast, bring the family along for a shorter race the same weekend, or start your fall racing early in the capital. Here are four worth circling.

All four land in the Runner Favorite tier on HalfRuns — a score of 80 or above out of 100 — which is our shorthand for races runners keep coming back to and keep telling other runners about.

Berkeley Half Marathon — Sunday, November 15, 2026

Berkeley, California

The highest-scoring race on this list at 97 out of 100, and a genuinely great way to close out a fall season. Mid-November is late enough that a spring or summer training block has plenty of room to grow into it, which makes Berkeley a strong pick if you want one real goal race to point at rather than a crowded calendar. It is also the kind of date that pairs well with a weekend in the Bay Area — race on Sunday, stay for the rest of it.

Monterey Bay Half Marathon — Sunday, November 8, 2026

Monterey, California

At 92 out of 100, Monterey Bay is the second-highest scorer here and one of the most scenic pieces of the California calendar. Early November on the coast tends to be some of the state's nicest running weather, and this is a race that draws people from well outside the area for exactly that reason. If you have been looking for a fall race that feels like a small trip rather than just a Sunday morning, this is the one to look at first.

Santa Barbara Half Marathon & 5K — Sunday, November 8, 2026

Santa Barbara, California

Scoring 89 out of 100, Santa Barbara lands on the same day as Monterey Bay, so if both are on your list you will need to pick a coast. The upside here is the 5K: it gives you a way to turn race weekend into a group thing, with a shorter option for a partner, a friend, a kid, or anyone who is half-marathon-curious but not ready to commit to 13.1 yet. That combination makes it a strong choice for a first-timer who wants company on the trip.

Urban Cow Half Marathon — Sunday, September 27, 2026

Sacramento, California

At 85 out of 100, Urban Cow is the earliest date on this list — late September, which means it is the race to pick if you want to be done and celebrating before the fall even really settles in. It is also a smart choice if your training is already underway and you would rather race soon than keep building toward November. Sacramento as a race destination keeps things straightforward: easy to get to, easy to build a weekend around, and a solid first fall goal if you are coming back to the distance after time away.

Two Races, One Date — How to Decide

Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara both fall on Sunday, November 8, 2026, while Berkeley comes a week later and Urban Cow comes more than a month earlier. That gives you three real choices depending on what your fall looks like:

Want to race soon? Urban Cow in late September.
Want to peak in early November? Monterey Bay or Santa Barbara — pick coast by which weekend trip sounds better.
Want the latest date and the highest score? Berkeley on November 15.

If you are training for your first half, giving yourself the full runway to a November race is usually the calmer path. If you have done this before and want a faster turnaround, September works fine.

Plan the Rest of the Season

Four races is a great start, but California has a lot more than four. If none of these dates fit your calendar — or if you want to see what else is coming up before you commit — the full California half marathon directory has every upcoming race in the state, with dates, cities, and how each one scores.

See all half marathons in California

And once you have picked one, the individual race pages go deeper:

Pick your date, register while spots are still open, and let the fall build from there. You do not need the perfect race. You need a start line, a plan, and a few people who get it.