What to Do Near Santa Anita
Image:
Description:
Photo courtesy of Din Tan Fung
After a day at the races, it is always important to know where to go to get the best food and drinks close to the track. This is even more important after spending a day at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, where you’ve seen some of the best horses in the world racing all day so anything less than a spectacular restaurant or bar will be a letdown. It's also nice to have some other things to do during your time away from the track.
Whether you’re only in California for the weekend races or for the whole week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup, here are some great places to get food, drinks and entertainment while you are in Arcadia, Calif. for the 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Drinks
Nikki C’s Restaurant and Bar
Photo courtesy of Nikki C's
This place has a good atmosphere if you are looking for drinks and sports — craft beer, wine, cocktails, and more.
Entrance Bar and Lounge
A bar and lounge with more of a modern feel to it. Music is provided by a live DJ, and there is plenty of parking. They have some good food offerings and stay open until 2 a.m.
100-to-1
Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
If you are looking for a dive bar with cheap drinks that’s close to Santa Anita, then this is your spot. They have karaoke and it’s open until 2 a.m. It’s located right across the street from the Santa Anita parking lot.
Eats
The Derby
Photo courtesy of The Derby Restaurant’s Facebook page
If you are looking for steaks, seafood and more, then this is the place. The Derby has always been a regular place for jockeys, owners, trainers, and racing fans. The menu is guaranteed to catch your attention with familiar racing names and terms such as Seabiscuit, George Woolf, Mike Smith, Gary Stevens, Pick Three and The Starting Gate. It’s less than two miles away from Santa Anita.
Din Tan Fung
Photo courtesy of Din Tan Fung
The menu includes soups, noodles, fried rice, salads, and more, but what you should really sample are the world-famous dumplings. If word of mouth and recommendations by locals are not enough for you, then how about being named one of the top ten restaurants in the world (New York Times)? It’s only about a mile away from Santa Anita.
In-N-Out Burger
Photo by WikiMedia Commons/Joshua Wickerham
If you are coming from out of state, chances are you’ve never had In-N-Out Burger. The company is family-owned and restaurants are only located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas. These burgers have sort of a cult following among burger aficionados. Simple. Fresh. Made to order. Tasty. There’s a location about a mile away from Santa Anita.
Nearby Places to Check Out
Old Pasadena
Photo courtesy of Pasadena CVB
Filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions, Old Pasadena is a great place to go for a walk. From sit-down restaurants to quick service, there are plenty of options to choose from. Good night life, too.
Old Town Monrovia
Photo courtesy of Oldtownmonroviaca.com
Similar to Old Pasadena but with a more local-business presence. Imagine main street type of ambiance with an old charm. Businesses include coffee shops, bars, and restaurants with outdoor tables. Definitely has a small-town feel. There’s also a Krikorian Movie theatre if you want to catch a movie.
The Arboretum
Photo courtesy of The Arboretum
The Arboretum is located just across the street from Santa Anita park it is a great spot for a morning walk. The grounds cover over 120 acres of gardens, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife, historical sites and much more.