Below is your spectator guide to the California International Marathon. Check below for parking tips, Google maps of key spectator locations, and information and directions about each of the best viewing locations along the course.

The Start - Auburn-Folsom Road Next to Folsom Dam

Coming to watch the start is not recommended!
The area is highly congested with runners and volunteers, and there is no non-official vehicle access. The South and West drop off areas are about two miles from the start, and no non-official vehicles will be allowed beyond the drop-off points. Parking north of the start area is very limited and more than 1/2 mile from the start.
Google Map

Mile 6 - Corner of Oak Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard: Cheer Zone

Description: Cheer zone with a DJ at the best spot to cheer your runner on early in the race!

Driving Directions: From the runner drop off area NORTH of the start line on Auburn Folsom Blvd., drive back to Douglas Blvd. and turn left (west). Take Douglas Blvd. to Sunrise Blvd. and turn left (south). Take Sunrise to Oak Ave. and turn left onto Oak. Fair Oaks Blvd. is one block up Oak Ave. From the runner drop off area SOUTH of the start line on Folsom Auburn Blvd., drive to Greenback Lane and turn right onto Greenback. Take Greenback Lane to Sunrise Blvd. and turn right (north). Take Sunrise to Oak Ave. and turn right onto Oak. Fair Oaks Blvd. is one block up Oak Ave. Parking Options: Street parking. Google Map

Mile 10 - Old Town Fair Oaks: Cheer Zone

Description: Cheer zone in beautiful Old Fair Oaks with a Blues Band and the famous Fair Oaks free range chickens!

Driving Directions: If coming from SOUTH of start line on Auburn-Folsom Rd. go south to Greenback Lane; turn right onto Greenback. Bear left to Madison Ave. Turn left (south) on Sunrise Blvd. Go to Winding Way and turn left into Old Fair Oaks. You must do this quickly (within 25 minutes) due to intersection closures subsequently occurring throughout the rest of the course. If you are coming from NORTH of start line on Auburn-Folsom Rd., take Auburn-Folsom Rd. north to Douglas Blvd. Turn west (left) on Douglas Blvd. and go to Sunrise Blvd. Turn south (left) on Sunrise and proceed to Winding Way. Turn left onto Winding Way, park, and then walk to center of town. Google Map

Mile 12.5 - California Family Fitness Middle Miles: Cheer Zone

Description: Cheer Zone at Carmichael CalFit location at Fair Oaks Blvd. at McClain Rd. will have a rockin’ band and a sign making station. Google Map

Mile 13.5 - Fair Oaks Blvd at Manzanita Ave: Relay Exchange and Cheer Zone

Description: Cheer zone with a DJ where you can celebrate with relay runners who have just finished and marathoners who have just passed the halfway point!

Driving Directions: Coming from Old Fair Oaks, exit Winding Way. Turn right (north) onto Sunrise Blvd. Turn left (west) onto Madison. Turn left (south) onto Manzanita Ave., go down to Fair Oaks Blvd. and park in the supermarket parking lot. If you are coming from Mile 6, take Sunrise Blvd. to Madison Ave. and turn right (west) onto Madison. Turn left (south) onto Manzanita Ave., go down to Fair Oaks Blvd. and park in the supermarket parking lot. Parking Options: Supermarket lot and street parking. Google Map

Mile 15 - California Family Fitness Middle Miles: Cheer Zone

Description: Cheer Zone at Carmichael/Arden CalFit location at Fair Oaks Blvd. at Marconi Ave. with a DJ and a sign making station. Google Map

Mile 20.5 - The Wall: Relay Exchange and Cheer Zone

Description: The Wall will be set-up in front of Loehmann’s Plaza near Fair Oaks Blvd. Come cheer on the runners as they reach (and run through) “The Wall.”

Driving Directions: Coming from the half-marathon point, go north to Winding Way. Turn left on Winding Way and follow to Walnut Ave. Turn left on Walnut and go down to El Camino Ave. Turn right onto El Camino Ave. and continue to Fulton Ave. Turn left on Fulton Ave. Loehmann's Plaza is located immediately before you reach Fair Oaks Blvd. Park in Plaza on north side of Fair Oaks Blvd. Coming from Old Town Fair Oaks, Take Winding Way to Walnut Ave. Turn left (south) onto Walnut. Take Walnut to El Camino and turn left (west) onto El Camino. Take El Camino to Fulton and turn right (south) onto Fulton. Take Fulton to Loehmann's Plaza. Parking Options: Plaza and street parking. Google Map

Mile 23.6 - 38th St. & J St.: Oiselle Cowbell Corner

Description: Join the ladies (and a few gentlemen!) of Oiselle as they clang their cowbells, cheer, and wave their always entertaining signs in support of our runners as they pass through the famous “numbered-street countdown” to our finish!  Google Map

Mile 24.2 - Sutter Middle School: Cheer Zone

Description: Turn out and cheer alongside the future marathoners of Sutter Middle School and support our runners as they enter the final two miles! Google Map

Mile 25.7-26.2 - “Wall of Sound” Cheer Zone

Description: Get down to the finish and cheer your runner home along with bands, DJs, and the divine intervention of a gospel choir!

Driving DIrections: Coming from Loehmann's Plaza, go north on Fulton Ave. to Arden Way; turn left on Arden. Take Arden Way to Hwy.160 downtown Sacramento and the "letter" streets (Highway 160 becomes 12th Street). Get as close to "L" St. as you can and park. Walk to the finish at 9th and Capitol. Google Map

Parking Information

In addition to the parking lots listed below, there is metered street parking (Friday and Saturday) near the marathon venues. On Sunday street parking near the finish line area and hotel is not metered and plentiful.

Sheraton Grand Hotel Lot
(13th & J)

Alley Public Parking Lot
(Between J & I and 13th & 14th)

Public Parking Lot
(14th between H & I)

Lot H
(10th & L)

Lot I
(I St. between 10th & 11th)