Taking the Train & Bus from Orange County to Del Mar Racing - Summer 2015
It's the season to be at the horse races! Until Monday, September 7, 2015 visit the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
for exciting horse races and events. A great way to get to Del Mar is via train. If you're wanting to ride the Amtrak train, stop at the Solana Beach station and a complimentary double decker English-style bus shuttles you from the station to the thoroughbred club entrance approximately every 30 minutes. Although until the end of the season, the train will be packed due to the influx of riders heading down to Del Mar.
When Scott and I rode the 10:40am Saturday train from Irvine to Solana, he didn't have a seat for most of the way and many other people were standing. The conductor had notified everyone as to why it was packed in the train cars and therefore standing room only (he wasn't quite a fan of the Del Mar scene, but did a great job at making sure the riders were aware of the situation). There are also a couple of local trains, Coaster and Sprinter serving the San Diego area.
The bus ride was fun, and a mere 7 minutes or so away; I liked that I didn't have to:
a) Drive down to Del Mar, possibly getting stuck in gnarly traffic (there and back)
b) Was able to enjoy the scenery (love going south because you get an amazing view of the ocean)
c) Could drink either on the train, at the venue or both
d) Don't have to pay for parking at the Del Mar lot then wait for a tram
e) Although I need to keep active, virtually no walking is involved from when I step off the bus to the front entrance (if you get stuck parking far away, you have to walk to the tram stop or walk all the way to the front entrance if you don't want to wait for a tram)
Scott and I grabbed lunch and drinks at one of the patio dining areas, then headed out to the stands. We ended up standing to watch each race (which is only a few minutes, with 15 minute intervals in between) since we didn't mind it and you have a purchase seats if you want to sit. The last race that we watched, we went down to the front of the stands where there is an open area and you can bring your own chairs or blankets to sit. Placing bets was fairly easy after Scott explained it to me; you can do this with an attendant or at a machine, but we used the machine to obtain money vouchers, which were then inserted into another machine to place bets. I had no idea which horses to bet on, but I placed bets in which the horse would have to win 1st, Place in 2nd or 3rd, or Place in 1st-3rd.
Check out the 2015 Del Mar Racing Season Calendar here, and entry prices and info here; and when I got to attend Opening Day of the 2014 Season!
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
