Bay to Breakers 2025 street closures, start time, route, what you need to know

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — We’re just days away from San Francisco’s annual Bay to Breakers race. The iconic annual foot race, which has been a San Francisco tradition since 1912, takes place Sunday, May 18.

The historic run through the streets of the city is famous for the outlandish costumers — or sometimes, lack of — worn by race participants. Although the exact route may vary, the race takes its name from its course, running from the San Francisco Bay to the “breakers” of Ocean Beach.

Whether you’re participating in this year’s event or want to give it as wide a berth as possible, here’s what you need to know about this year’s Bay to Breakers.

Bay to Breakers start time

All races for this year’s Bay to Breakers get underway Sunday morning with the first wave taking off at 8 a.m. and the last wave taking off at 8:45 a.m.

How long is Bay to Breakers?

There are two race lengths for the 2025 Bay to Breakers race, a 15K and a 12K.

Bay to Breakers course

All Bay to Breakers races start at the intersection of Howard and Main streets in downtown San Francisco. The finish line is at 1000 Great Highway.

Along the way, the race winds its way up Howard Street, to Hayes Street, to Fell Street, along JFK Drive through Golden Gate Park to the finish line on the beach.

Bay to Breakers 2025 street closures

Starting line area closures take effect Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. through May 18 at 11 a.m.

• Howard between Embarcadero and Beale
• Steuart south of Mission
• Spear between Mission and Folsom
• Intersection closures at Howard: Steuart, Spear, Main

Street closures beginning Saturday from 7 p.m. to Sunday at 5 p.m.

• Main between Mission and Folsom

Race Route closures on Sunday from 3 a.m. until 11 a.m.

• Beale between Mission and Folsom
• Fremont between Mission and Folsom
• First Street between Market and Folsom (Muni allowed)
• Second Street between Mission and Folsom
• New Montgomery between Mission and Howard
• Howard between Beale and Third Street
• Intersection closures at Howard: Beale, Fremont, First, Second, New Montgomery

Street closures on Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Mission between Fremont and Steuart (Muni allowed)
• Beale between Market and Mission
• Spear between Market and Mission
• Market between Drumm and Steuart

Street closures on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Howard between Third and Ninth streets
• Ninth Street between Howard and Market

Street closures on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Hayes between Market and Divisadero

Street closures on Sunday from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Steiner between Grove and Hayes
• Scott between Grove and Hayes

Street closures on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Divisadero between Grove and Oak

Street closures on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Fell between Divisadero and Stanyan

Street closures on Sunday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Baker between Oak and Fell

Street closures on Sunday from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Cabrillo between 46th Avenue and La Playa
• Balboa between 46th Avenue and Great Highway
• Point Lobos between 48th Avenue and Great Highway

Finish line festival street closures on Saturday from 9 p.m. to Sunday at 4 p.m.

• La Playa between Cabrillo and Fulton
• Fulton, westbound, between Great Highway and 46th
• Fulton, eastbound, between Great Highway and 48th
• Lincoln Way between Great Highway and La Playa
• Intersection closures at Lincoln Way: Lower Great Highway, La Playa

Street closures on Saturday from 9 p.m. to Sunday at 4 p.m.

• Great Highway between Sloat and JFK
• Multiple entrances to Golden Gate Park for the race period

There will also be several Muni service changes in effect for the race weekend. You can find a complete list of those on the SFMTA website.