The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club presents live thoroughbred racing between July 19 through Sept. 4 and between Nov. 1 through Nov. 26. Post time: 2 p.m. for the nine race program, most days. At the Fairgrounds at Del Mar. I-5, exit Via de la Valle.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar Fairgrounds (858-755-1141) [delmarracing.com]. Located just off Interstate 5 at Via de la Valle in the seaside community of Del Mar and just 20 miles north of downtown San Diego.
The summer Meet runs from Wednesday July 19th through Monday, September 4th. It’s closed Mondays (except Labor Day) and Tuesdays.
The second racing season in the fall is called the Bing Crosby Meet and runs from Wednesday, November 1 through November 26th. It;s closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except November 1).
Gates open two hours before post time except Opening Day and the Pacific Classic Day (August 19), when the gates open two and a half hours early.
General admission on opening day is ($30); all other days a general admission ticket is ($10). Reserved seats are ($5–$25) additional. Clubhouse seating at the Terrace Restaurants ($50–$350). Prices are subject to change.
Post time is 2 p.m. and on Fridays it is 4 p.m.
General admission and early bird parking is ($10) and valet parking is ($25).
The race tract is just a “good chip shot from the Pacific Ocean.” And the climate is ideal in every aspect, comfortably balmy and in the hub of one
of California’s most popular summer resort areas of Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe. So make it a point to experience the best horse racing venue on the west coast of the United States.
Where to Eat After a Day at the Track
After a day at the track make it a point to enjoy excellent dining at these recommended restaurants minutes from the tract. All have been personally reviewed with the reviewer going unannounced and paying for their own meals.
For seafood, look no farther that The Fish Market Restaurant (858-755-2277) at the corner of Via de la Valle and Jimmy Durante Drive, which is just across from the race tract. The other recommendation is for Mexican food. It’s a few blocks north up the same road from The Fish Market Restaurant. You’ll be dining at the legendary Tony’s Jackal (circa 1948) at 621 Valley Ave. (858-755-2274).
Also see the Del Mar Chapter online and in print.
