HOW TO DO DEL MAR RACE TRACK ON THE CHEAP! (Or, how did we get so lucky to have such a treasure in our city and so close to the ocean?)
Okay people, it ain't perfect and opening day is always horrendously crowded but any other day, if you follow my cheap rules, you'll be golden!
1. Races start at 2 pm but if you are NOT worried about being seen and seeing everyone come in, come before 11 am and there is NO admittance fee, NO one checks your coolers for adults bevvies or otherwise and you can park pretty darn close. Take a damn nap, bring your paper, sunscreen and hat, study the ponies and just chill until the races start.
2. Bring your most comfy folding chairs, a rolling cooler with your $5 Subway sammies, lots of cold adult bevvies and whatever else strikes your fancy. We usually bring shrimp ceviche, a bag of ice and adult additives to make "Cowboy Lemonade" and plenty of other goodies from Trader Joe's or Fresh and Easy. Don't buy their food unless your desperate, it's expensive and not always good.
3. Don't sit in the grandstands...the grandstand is for rich bitches who have money to burn. I sit with the other old bitches in the sun or along the wall in the shade and laugh my ass off at the shenanigans of the overly made up, half naked tattoed guys and girls, both old and young...whatever, I had game once too...back in the 60's :o)
4. Great place for kids to run around and have fun but bring them something to do, eventually they tire out, you can lay them down, making sure you protect them from the sun and now YOU can relax. On Sundays, it's family fun days on the other side of the track. You come into the gates as usual but cross to the other side by going through the tunnel. There's free jumpys and other treats for the kids. Also, make some time to walk them over to the paddock, you will never be as close to such beautiful animals as you are there....awesome!
5. Leave before the 7th race or during it, or you will be walking out with the hundreds of folks who waited to long to leave. If you're not in a hurry, then hang out but be prepared to fight the crazy parking lot surge.
6. Educate yourself on the simple bets...it doesn't cost a lot of money to have fun making bets...that crap is for those rich bitches. Easy betting hints are in the front of the free betting guide they give you when you come in.
7. Did I tell you about bringing your own adult bevvies? Oh yeah, sign up for a Del Mar card and you get all kinds of freebies including a discount on your tix if you get there after 11 am.
8. On Wednesday, admittance is free and hot dogs and beer are cheap. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are some cool ass bands, usually a bit past their prime but if you come into the track before the 8th race, the concert is FREE! After that, it's a $20 admission.
BTW...THOSE WITH MILITARY ID GET IT FREE!!! read more