Bucket List Vacation: Big Sur Marathon
Jul 16, 2026 01:12PM ● By Jen Gennaro
For local marathoner Marcelle Gautreaux, the 2024 Big Sur International Marathon was more than just a race — it was the fulfillment of a nearly decade-long dream. Marcelle and her sister, Sara Wade, had dreamed of running the iconic California Highway 1 marathon since 2015, finally earning their spots through the race lottery.
To add to the experience, they convinced other family members to join in and compete other distances.
“I’m so glad we finally made this dream come true. What an amazing experience. I won’t always be able to run, but on this day I ran the “ragged edge of the western world” with my family,” she posted just after completing the race.
“Even with an altered course due to the road being closed, this was still one of the most breathtakingly beautiful races I've done, and to run alongside my sister who first got me into running was the cherry on top,” Gautreaux said.
Gautreaux loved the area so much that the family returned the following year for vacation. Here are the highlights:
We drove both the iconic 17-mile drive in Monterey and down the Pacific Coast Highway and made stops along the way for the Golden Gate Bridge, the Mrs. Doubtfire house, and Full House houses. The drive takes about 2-3 hours.
The historic Hotel Del Monte is now a military base, but the Gautreauxs were able to stay there because Marcelle’s husband, Brad, is a retired USMC pilot. Dubbed “The Most Elegant Seaside Resort in the World,” and once occupying 20,000 acres along the Monterey Peninsula, Hotel Del Monte has hosted the likes of the Roosevelts, Amelia Earhart, and a dazzling array of Hollywood stars.
Hiking Point Lobos State Park offered beautiful views of turquoise waves crashing against the rocky coast, seals floating in the harbor, massive redwoods, and Pacific salt air.
