This is a great, small local race (140 marathon finishers, 375 half marathon finishers), so if small is your thing, this is a perfect race for you. Elite Sports California hosts this race, along with a variety of others, throughout Southern California.

'Expo' isn't even the word, as packet pick up is just at Sports Authority the day before the race. Packet pick up is also available the day-of, as again, the race is small enough to accomodate such a feature, which I am always grateful for.

Course is entirely flat, with minimal inclines along some stretches of road and follows the Ventura Boardwalk, and then oceanside trail and along Highway 101. Close enough to the ocean at times that I actually got misted upon by crashing waves. Glorious! Views for days and certainly a great race to show off that California coastline.

Fantastic post-race beer garden (805) and street tacos (can you say best post-race food ever?).

A decently priced race for what it offers, but if you're just looking for the views and a simple event, this is definitely a race for you. My only complaint is that race shirts are cut incredibly tiny for women, so where as I easily fit into a women's medium, by the time I put it on at home, it was hardly sitting at my shorts wasteline. Oh well. Great swag otherwise (medal, shirt, water bottle, race bag). Thanks Elite Sports!