Cycling & running events in San Diego, 2026

Coastal Miles, Inland Climbs

Running: The route covers 92 km with 35 m of gain. The second route covers 28 km with only 3 m of gain. The third route covers 62 km with 106 m of gain. November Project meets Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:29 AM in Balboa Park, and PB Run Club meets weekly 5Ks at Bonita Cove. Pacific Beach Half Marathon & 5K, Liberty Station Relay and 5K, and Carmel Valley Trail Race work as anchor events.

Cycling: Locals ride Mission Bay, Bayshore Bikeway, Ocean Beach, and Mission Trails when they want base miles close to town. There's no paved protected riding toward the interior. La Jolla and Torrey Pines State Park bring quiet coastal views, while Ocean Beach has that quirky hippy vibe. 8% for just under two miles. Mount Palomar gives the big day out, and riders climb the road up 6,140-foot Mount Palomar. Bike the Coast, Bike the Bay, San Diego Century, and Giro di San Diego GranFondo anchor the calendar.

Season: San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad works year-round because the weather stays close to 20°C and keeps both running and riding simple. Summer gives ideal outdoor conditions, so locals stack early boardwalk miles, Mission Bay loops, coastal Z2, and longer Pacific Coast Highway rides. Winter still gives excellent weather for running and cycling, and locals just shift effort toward track workouts, intervals, trail days, and steady base miles when mornings feel cooler. North County keeps the coastal rhythm in Carlsbad and Encinitas, while east routes through river trails, canyons, fire roads, and steep climbs stay useful when the group wants more bite.