Eight Foolproof Ways to Have a Blast at Del Mar This Summer

A day at Del Mar with friends is sure to be a good time. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
It’s pretty hard not to have fun at Del Mar’s summer meet. Sunny southern California, top-class racing and the beach just steps away? It’s no wonder the track is known as the “Playground to the Stars.” But if you have some doubts, any of these eight tried-and-true tips will guarantee you have a great time.
1. Come for twilight racing, stay for a concert. Del Mar’s regular post is 2 p.m. except on Fridays when it’s at 4. This is so the races end around dusk and the crowd can head right over to the seaside stage at the ocean end of the grandstand to enjoy an awesome concert! National acts including Neon Trees, Weezer and Counting Crows are all slated to play this season and the best part: the concerts are free with your track admission!
2. Go celeb-watching. Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes and other recognizable faces revel at Del Mar on a regular basis. Spend a day at the track and you never know who you’ll bump into — literally, if the track is crowded like it usually is. In recent years Drew Brees, Mario Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Kevin Costner have been spotted at the seaside oval. Oftentimes, their celeb status gains them access to the paddock and/or winner’s circle, so be sure to keep an eye out when you’re near those two hotspots!
DREW BREES AT DEL MAR

(Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
3. Enjoy a Del Margarita. What’s a day at the races without an adult beverage or two? The famous Del Margarita comes in a souvenir cup and is the perfect complement to sunny skies and fast horses. If tequila isn't your style, bring some friends out for one of Del Mar’s Beer Fests this summer!
4. Get there early. Really early — early enough to watch the horses train in the morning. It’s serene and gorgeous and a can’t-miss part of the Del Mar experience. And unlike the afternoon, when there are half-hour breaks in the action, there are always horses on the track in the morning as nearly every horse on the grounds will have a morning workout. Del Mar makes it even more fun — you can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast while watching the horses at Daybreak at Del Mar from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday or you can go to one of their special Doughnuts at Del Mar, held this year on July 19 and August 23 from 8 to 10 a.m. There you’ll see announcer Trevor Denman talk racing with jockeys and trainers, plus you can indulge in free coffee, O.J. and yes, even doughnuts.
MORNING TRAINING AT DEL MAR

Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing
5. Watch a race from the Brig. The Brigantine is one of Del Mar’s signature restaurants, with great seafood and a chic, beachy atmosphere. Stop by for a late lunch before hitting the track and you’ll find a whole new vantage point for the races. Sit outside and watch a race or two while enjoying the Brig’s famous fish tacos, it’s a must-see view of the track and grandstand and it’s awesome to hear the roar of the crowd as the horses sprint for the wire!
6. People watch. People watching is always entertaining but at Del Mar you get a huge bang for your buck. From California girls putting their best fashion foot forward to old gamblers in shorts and a t-shirt, Del Mar truly attracts all kinds. The spectacle is unmatched, and when you sprinkle in a celebrity here and there you and your friends can be entertained for hours. Just make sure you save time to make your bets and watch the races!
OPENING DAY IS GREAT FOR PEOPLE WATCHING

7. Eat well. No trip to the track is complete without sampling the fare, and if you didn’t get enough free donuts you can come back for Del Mar’s Grill Fest or the Gourmet Food Truck Festival. The Grill Fest features great barbecue from 25 vendors and the Food Truck Fest will have more than 50 trucks filling the seaside stage lot. Can’t make it one of those days? The track still has great food that can be found at restaurants and booths throughout the grandstand.
8. See San Diego. This one may not be at the track, but if you’re in town for the meet you’ve got to see the sights of San Diego when you’re not at the races. Personal favorites include the beach (obviously), San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter downtown, Coronado Island, and shopping in La Jolla. ABR Ambassador Jose Contreras goes into more detail about some of those attractions here.
These eight tips are great place to start, but spend some time at Del Mar and you’ll surely have a list of your own favorite ways to spend a summer at the track!