el Mar is the only town in San Diego county with a world-class thoroughbred horse-racing track. It's where the "surf meets the turf at old Del Mar" and has been attracting horse racing fans since 1937. Del Mar in Spanish means "the sea".

The Del Mar 350 acre horse race track has a Hollywood past. In 1937 it was built and sponsored by Bing Crosby, Pat O'Brien and Paramount Studios. The conception began when Bing Crosby a horse enthusiast and local ranch owner, was asked to organize a meet at Del Mar. He approached the Del Mar Fairgrounds to make a deal with them to build a grandstand and the rest is Hollywood history. Since then it has become one of the worlds most famous race tracks and has entertained stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Mickey Rooney, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jimmy Durante, Dorothy Lamour, Red Skelton, Paulette Goddard and Ava Gardner.

Del Mar's 1993 season marked the opening of a new $80 million grandstand, built in the Spanish mission style of the original structure. The new grandstand features more seats, better race viewing, and a centrally located scenic paddock. The $1 million Pacific Classic, featuring the top horses in the country, is held the second weekend in August.

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
Each year, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club brings us the Del Mar Horse Races, the 43-day racing event attracts race enthusiasts from all over the world. The Del Mar Horse Races are considered among the premier horse racing meets in the U.S. The race facilities are the finest in the country and can stable more than 2,000 animals during the racing season.
Track: The one-mile oval thoroughbred track with stadium seats holds approx. 14,000 fans.
Events: Thoroughbred racing from the end of July through mid-September.
Hours: Gates open at noon on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. on weekends. Post times for the nine-race program are 2 p.m. daily except Fridays, when it is 4 p.m. Fees: $4 for grandstand admission, $7 for clubhouse admission and $5 for grandstand reserved seats. Grandstand admission is $2 for seniors (weekdays) and active military personnel (daily). Preferred seating available.
Parking: $3 for general and early bird, $5 for preferred and $12 for valet.

Directions to Del Mar Race Track: I-5 to Via de la Valle, Go West, immediately get into the left lane, turn left at Jimmy Durante (at Denny's on corner). Parking within 1/2 mile on right.

To learn more about Del Mar, log on to their web site at www.delmarracing.com or the telephone number is (858) 755-1141.

The Del Mar National Horse Show
North America's finest riders and horses will be at the Del Mar Arena on April 17 - May 4, 2003 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The show offers some of the equestrian world's most prestigious top awards and honors along with $300,000 in total prize money.

Del Mar Surfside Race Place
This satellite wagering facility is the largest and most successful in the state. The 100,000 square-foot facility features year-round wagering from horse tracks all across the country.
Surfside Race Place
Tel: 858-755-1167
Fair Main Line Tel: 858-755-1161
24 Hour Info Tel: 858-755-5555
Group Sales Tel: 858-794-1096
Tickets Tel: 858-792-4252

The Del Mar Horse Park
This equestrian facility complements the main Fairgrounds by providing horse owners and trainers with an off-site location for training, showing, and stabling their animals. Located just east of the main fairgrounds, the 64-acre facility hosts many smaller events including the 2000 Olympic Show Jumping Finals.

Be sure to visit our Calendar of Events page to see what's coming up in the area.