Favorite Routes by Theme

25 Best Seafront Promenades: North America

Running along a wide path with a view of the sea is a favorite for many runners. Our ‘seafront promenades‘ category has 300+ of these types of routes, worldwide. Here, we choose 25 of our favorites in North America. The criteria: must be along an ocean, or one of the Great Lakes (not a river), at least 2 miles long, not on the road, and feature unobstructed views of the water. Note: these are listed in alphabetical order, by location.

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Big Sur/Monterey/Carmel, CA

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Rails-to-Trails | Routes With Videos | Waterfront Promenades

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which spans the coast of Monterey between Pacific Grove and Castroville, is a beautiful 18 mile former railway, which is now a two lane path leading to some of the most notable tourist attractions in the area.

Boston Waterfront: Charlestown to UMASS

Boston, MA

Along the Water | Iconic | Near Convention Center | Waterfront Promenades

As a result of the Big Dig project and development of the Seaport district, it's possible to run about 14 miles from Charlestown to the UMASS Boston. Most of it very pleasant along the water! We've detailed several sections

Brooklyn – Coney Island

New York City: Boroughs

Along the Water | Historic / Tourist | Multi-Use Trails | Waterfront Promenades

Coney Island is the quintessential New York attraction, from the beach to the boardwalk to the rides at Luna Park. The boardwalk is approximately 2.5 miles from end to end. For a longer run, extend east along the water to Sheepshead Bay.

Chicago Lakefront Path

Chicago: Central

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Parks | Near Convention Center | Rails-to-Trails | Routes With Videos | Waterfront Promenades

This 18-mile trail is one of the most spectacular urban runs in the country. Gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, urban beaches, marinas, and beautiful parks, passing by some of the city’s famous cultural institutions.

Corpus Christi Bay Trail

Corpus Christi/Padre Island, TX

Along the Water | By the Beach | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

Choose a section or run the whole ~9 mile stretch of the Corpus Christi Bay Trail, a waterfront route from the Barge Docks to Cayo de Oso. It’s a great tour through some of the city’s best offerings!

Hollywood Boardwalk

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Beach, FL

Along the Water | By the Beach | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Waterfront Promenades

Brick-paved oceanfront promenade stretching nearly 2 miles. A haven for runners, walkers, cyclists, etc. Festive and crowded! Lots of bars, restaurants, and shops along the way.

Seawall Urban Park

Galveston, TX

Along the Water | By the Beach | Iconic | 'Unique' Runs | Waterfront Promenades

Run the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States, while enjoying splendid ocean views! Seawall Urban Park is the sidewalk along Seawall Blvd. on Galveston's Gulf (south) side . Good water views the whole way. A festive scene.

Halifax Waterfront

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Along the Water | Iconic | Waterfront Promenades

A wonderful run along the Halifax waterfront. Dedicated boardwalk most of the way, with great views of the water and harbour. Lots of great shops, restaurants, and important Halifax sights along the way.

Jersey Shore Boardwalks

Jersey Shore, NJ

By the Beach | Historic / Tourist | Iconic | Bridges | Waterfront Promenades

The Jersey Shore is famous for its boardwalks, and the longer ones are great for running. Great ocean views, people watching, and entertainment. Our favorites: Atlantic City, Wildwood, Avalon to Belmar, and Seaside. Might have to dodge the crowds in summer.

Jones Beach and Long Beach

Long Island, NY

Along the Water | By the Beach | Multi-Use Trails | Great Beach Runs | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

Wonderful beach and boardwalk running. At Long Beach, a festive boardwalk runs for 2.2 miles along the beach. At Jones Beach, there are miles of running, including the Jones Boardwalk and two longer multi-use paths. Beach also runnable.

Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach

Los Angeles, CA

By the Beach | Multi-Use Trails | Great Beach Runs | Rails-to-Trails

One of the iconic sections of the Marvin Braude path. Starting at Santa Monica Pier, 3.3 miles to Venice Beach, ending at Washington Blvd. Includes Muscle Beach, the famed outdoor basketball courts, and Venice Skatepark.

Miami Beach Boardwalk

Miami, FL

Along the Water | By the Beach | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Great Beach Runs | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

One of the great urban beaches and one of the more fun, scenic, and festive runs out there. Run on the 7-mile Miami Beach Boardwalk, or along the beach itself!

Hoboken Waterfront

Newark/Hoboken/Jersey City, NJ

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Near Fleet Feet | Waterfront Promenades

Fantastic, festive waterfront path with great views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. It's nearly 6 miles from Pier A park north, through Weehawken, to Guttenberg. The path links several parks, with fun extra jaunts out to piers.

Eastern Promenade Trail

Portland, ME

Along the Water | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Olmsted | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

One of Portland’s centerpieces, running from downtown, along the water, to Back Cove. The waterfront trail is built along an old rail corridor and offers spectacular harbor and ocean views.

La Marginal de Arecibo (Boardwalk)

Puerto Rico

Along the Water | Great Views | Waterfront Promenades

The cement walkway/boardwalk along Avenida Victor Rojas in Arecibo on Puerto Rico's northern coast offers stunning ocean views. It's nearly 2 miles between the bridge over the Río Grande to the point of Obrero. A great spot for a sunset run.

Mission Beach-Pacific Beach Ocean Front Walk

San Diego, CA

By the Beach | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Great Beach Runs | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

Classic beach boardwalk run on a 3.2 mile multi-use path between North Pacific Beach and South Mission Beach. A festive scene, with water views and lots of shops, bard, & restaurants. Beach also runnable. Can connect to Mission Bay route.

Crissy Field to Fort Point

San Francisco, CA

Along the Water | Historic / Tourist | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | National Parks | Parkrun | Routes With Videos | Waterfront Promenades

The run along Chrissy Field from Fort Mason to Fort Point is one of the great urban runs of the world. Water views the whole way. Heading north, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, and south, the SF skyline.

Santa Barbara Waterfront Spectactular

Santa Barbara, CA

Along the Water | Historic / Tourist | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

The signature Santa Barbara run is between Shoreline Park and East Beach, featuring beaches, marina, piers, parks, palm-lined boulevards, and mountain views. 5 miles one-way, all on paths, with option for 2-mile Montecito Loop.

West Cliff Drive

Santa Cruz, CA

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Waterfront Promenades

Wonderful coastal running along a multi-use path that runs from Municipal Wharf to Natural Bridges State Park. It's 2.8 miles one-way. Great views, with Seal Rock/Lighthouse Point being one of the scenic highlights.

Elliott Bay Trail

Seattle, WA

Along the Water | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

The main waterfront trail in downtown Seattle runs along Puget Sound from T-Mobile Park in the south to Smith Cove Park in the north. Nicest section is 2 miles from Olympic Sculpture Park to Elliott Bay Park.

Tampa – Bayshore Linear Park Trail

Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL

Along the Water | Gorgeous Residential | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | 'Unique' Runs | Fantastic Neighborhoods | Waterfront Promenades

Claimed to be the world’s longest continuous sidewalk, stretching 4.5 miles along the waterfront. Spectacular views of the Bay and the downtown skyline. Fountains, fitness stations, mile markers. The neighborhoods inside the path are also gorgeous for running.

Martin Goodman Trail

Toronto: City

Along the Water | Iconic | Near Convention Center

The signature running trail along the Lake Ontario waterfront in Toronto. A great run from downtown is from Queen’s Quay to the Humber River Bridge, about 5 miles.

Scarborough Running Options

Toronto: City

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Parks | Trail Running | Waterfront Promenades

The iconic run in Scarborough is the waterfront path at Scarborough Bluffs, with great views of the cliffs and the waterfront. There's also a 10 km waterfront path between East Point Park and Frenchman's Bay. Trail runners will love Rouge River Park.

Virginia Beach: Beach and Boardwalk Run

Norfolk/Virginia Beach Area

By the Beach | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Great Beach Runs | Rails-to-Trails | Waterfront Promenades

One of the best beach & boardwalk runs in the mid-Atlantic U.S. The beach is 5+ miles of wide, firm, packed sand. The boardwalk is 2.7 miles long and features an amusement park and famed Neptune Statue.

The Seawall

Vancouver, British Columbia

Along the Water | By the Beach | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Near Convention Center | Waterfront Promenades

The 17-mile Seawall is the world 's longest uninterrupted waterfront path. Highlights include the Stanley Park loop, False Creek, and the Seaside area. Starts downtown, near the harbourfront Convention Centre.

Comment on this Route/Share a Photo!

Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!

Subscribe

1 Comment

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

James Andreas

6 months ago

You forgot to include the Tony Knowles Coastal trail in Anchorage Alaska!

Reply