I love the LA Marathon! I ran it in 2013 and 2015. Its a fun SoCal experience! Usually too the weather is just right!

The course begins in the Dodger Stadium parking lot (as a nice perk too you get to use actual bathrooms at the start line)! They open the stadium so you can sit in the seats while you wait and use their real restrooms! I stayed in Santa Monica and then took their bus to the start line. Super easy!

The course is linear which to be as a runner is mentally great! As a spectator though, its a bit challenging to see your family at multiple spots. From Dodger Stadium you run to Santa Monica - "stadium to sea" course. In between, you pass LA neighborhoods, including Hollywood and you run down Rodeo Drive. Its a neat way to see LA and all its cultures! You end running to Santa Monica and running along a stretch parallel to the ocean and finishing somewhat near the pier. All in all a fun course that makes me happy as I love SoCal and all the sights and sounds of LA!

As for course difficulty, there are hills! This is not an easy flat course but definitely doable! With a little hill training, you'll do great.