For horse racing fans, one true indicator of summer is when Del Mar Thoroughbred Club opens its doors for its famed meet. The iconic San Diego-area track is an incredible place to visit whether you’re a lifelong fan of racing or if this will be your first trip to the track.

If you fall into the latter category — or if you’re planning your first trip to Del Mar this summer — scroll down for everything you need to know about this year’s summer season.

Who: Elite horses and top human connections from West Coast and beyond

Entering its 89^th season, Del Mar is THE place to be in the summer for Thoroughbred racing fans, elite racehorses, and the best trainers, jockeys, and owners on the West Coast.

The track has put together a robust stakes schedule for this summer featuring 37 stakes races that will offer $7.775 million in purses. This fantastic slate includes six stakes that have been designated as “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series events, meaning that each winner will receive an automatic, expenses-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup, which will be held this fall on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland. The annual highlight event at Del Mar is the 35th running of the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes on Aug. 22, a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series race for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.

What: Where the turf meets the surf

Picturesque Del Mar in California. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Nestled in the seaside city of Del Mar just north of San Diego, Del Mar is a horse lover’s paradise. Adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, the track is known as “where the turf meets the surf” and has become a bucket-list destination for racing fans the world over.

Since its inception, Del Mar has been a magnet for stars of both the human and equine persuasion; it’s not uncommon to see sports luminaries, actors, musicians, and titans of industry taking in the races on any given day.

Fun fact: Del Mar’s main track is a one-mile dirt oval with chutes for seven-eighths of a mile races and 1 ¼-mile races, and the interior turf course is seven-eighths of a mile with chutes for 1 1/16-mile and 1 1/8-mile races.

When: Friday, July 17 through Sunday, Sept. 7

Del Mar is the summer sweet spot for the West Coast, and the track holds races each week from Thursday through Sunday (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the first week) and Labor Day Monday. Every Thursday is “Free & Easy” For Diamond Club members. Receive free admission, a free program, and a free seat, plus $5 special prices on Michelob ULTRA draft, Brandt Beef hot dogs, and refillable sodas at select concession stands.  

The big racing days are listed below, but be sure to check out the track’s calendar for more details and events.

July 17 – Opening Day highlighted by the Caesars Sportsbook Oceanside Handicap, along with yearly hats contest and After Pony Party

July 18 – San Diego Handicap, San Clemente Handicap, plus a Tacos & Tequila festival from 2-6 p.m. PT with specialty tequilas as well as handcrafted & frozen margaritas paired with tasty tacos from the best taquerias in town

July 19 – The first of eight POP-Up Sundays kicks off with BBQ smoked brisket from Brandt Beef. POP-Up Sundays is a celebration of coastal favorites, highlighting a different local restaurant every Sunday in the Plaza de Mexico

July 23 – The first Free & Easy Thursday of the meet. Become a Diamond Club member for free admission, program, and seating, plus $5 specials on Michelob ULTRA, Brandt Beef hot dogs, and refillable sodas at select concession stands

July 25 – Bing Crosby Stakes 

July 26 – Eddie Read Stakes, plus POP-Up Sundays featuring North Italia and Family Fun Day with multiple free attractions for the entire family

Aug. 1 – Uncorked Wine Festival with racing highlighted by Clement L. Hirsch Stakes

Aug. 2 – POP-Up Sundays featuring Pizza Port

Aug. 8 –  Inaugural Turf & Surf Festival, featuring Maine lobster and Brandt Beef steak, with racing highlighted by Yellow Ribbon and Best Pal Stakes 

Aug. 9 – Sorrento Stakes, plus POP-Up Sundays featuring Mastiff Kitchen

Aug. 15 – Taste of New Orleans Food & Music Festival with authentic Cajun cuisine, live Cajun music, a mini parade, and more

Aug. 16 – Rancho Bernardo Stakes, plus POP-Up Sundays featuring Bloom

Aug. 22 – Pacific Classic day with a stacked card that also includes the Del Mar Mile, Del Mar Oaks, and the Green Flash Handicap

Aug. 23 – Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby, plus POP-Up Sundays featuring Monarch Ocean Pub

Aug. 29 – College Day, with live racing highlighted by the Del Mar Handicap and Pat O'Brien Stakes

Aug. 30 – Torrey Pines Stakes, plus POP-Up Sundays featuring Deeply Nourished

Sept. 5 – BBQ & Beer Festival, featuring top local restaurants and legendary pitmasters as well as an assortment of craft brews, with live racing highlighted by the Del Mar Debutante and Del Mar Juvenile Turf

Sept. 6 – Del Mar Futurity, plus another Family Fun Day with multiple free attractions for the entire family and POP-Up Sundays featuring Beach Break

Sept. 7 –  Closing Day with racing highlighted by the John C. Mabee Stakes

Fun fact: Del Mar has a later starting time than most tracks. Races begin at 2 p.m. PT (shifting to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 5) so that fans have the chance to explore the area around the track before their day at the races begins.

Where: Del Mar, Calif.

Del Mar is a stunning seaside resort just outside of San Diego, and the area truly has something for everyone: in addition to the track, there are options for golf, tennis, surfing, horseback riding on the beach, and so much more. A weekend at Del Mar promises relaxation, adventure, and incredible natural beauty.

Fun fact: The lyrics to Del Mar’s official song, “Where the Turf Meets the Surf,” encourages fans to “take a plane, take a train, take a car.” This is great advice, since Del Mar is reachable via San Diego International Airport, has an Amtrack station in Solana Beach (one mile from Del Mar), and has ample parking.

Why: A summertime playground

When Santa Anita Park opened outside of Los Angeles in 1934, it was an instant success. That got stockbroker William Quigley thinking, and he teamed up with Hollywood star Bing Crosby to create Del Mar, a racetrack that would become home to elite summer racing in California.

The track officially opened for business in 1937, and that year hosted the famed, winner-take-all match race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti – the very first nationally broadcasted Thoroughbred race via NBC Radio.

Fun fact: Del Mar continues to be the site of some of the biggest horse races in the nation – for example, the 2016 Pacific Classic was a showdown between fan favorites California Chrome, Beholder, and Dortmund. Flightline won the Pacific Classic during his 2022 Horse of the Year campaign, and champion Fierceness outfinished Preakness winner Journalism in the 2025 Pacific Classic.

What to Expect in 2026

The gates open to fans two hours prior to first post time and daily programs are included with admission. New for this year, Friday first post time will be 2 p.m. PT (rather than 4 p.m.) throughout the meeting. Children 17 years of age and under receive free admission but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. Diamond Club members gain access to exclusive giveaways and unlock everyday discounts at the track, plus happy hour specials. Download the Del Mar Mobile App to unlock membership perks.

Morning workouts are open to the public!

Wanna Bet?

A Del Mar fan scours the program in search of a winner (Eclipse Sportswire)

It’s incredibly easy to bet Del Mar, even if you’re not able to attend. It’s legal in many states to bet from home using what’s called an “advance deposit wagering” platform – essentially an app or website that allows you to load up your account and bet from wherever you like. One piece of advice: the key word here is “advance,” so make sure to set your account up as early as possible because sometimes it takes a day to process the funds.

Diamond Club Account Wagering is the official betting platform for Del Mar when visiting the track. Use the Del Mar mobile app if you are on site or log in at dmtc.com/bet.

If you’re new to betting online, the team at America’s Best Racing has created the leading tool in the sport for figuring out how to make your bets and what they’ll cost: ABR’s Gambling Calculator. Del Mar is offering multiple low-takeout, player-friendly betting options should be especially popular this season. Del Mar will offer a daily Early Pick 5 with a 14% takeout and a 50-cent minimum. A pair of low takeout (15%) Pick 3 options on the summer meet menu also figure to be favorites among bettors, including one especially for those of us who love to bet the grass races at the seaside track: the $3 Turf Pick 3 is made up of three grass races (designated daily) with a $3 minimum. Likewise, Del Mar offers a $3 Late Pick 3 on the final three races of the day with the same 15% takeout and $3 minimum. Finally, the $5 late Daily Double on the final two races also is a great betting option with a 15% takeout and a shot to close out every card on a high note.

Looking for more information on how to start playing the ponies? We have a post called “Betting on Horse Racing, Explained” with a focus on bettors just like you. Here’s a taste to whet your appetite:

The Basics

Win bet – A bet on a horse to finish first.

Place bet – A bet on a horse to finish first or second.

Show bet – A bet on a horse to finish in the money; third or better.

In the money – A horse that finishes first, second, or third.

Across the board – A bet on a horse to win, place, and show. If the horse wins, the bettor collects three ways; if second, two ways (place, show); and if third, one way, losing the win and place bets. It's actually three bets.

Morning line – The odds that the track handicapper predicts a horse will be to win the race when it starts.

Fun fact: The biggest payout for a $2 win bet in Del Mar’s history came in 1955 when Cipria returned a whopping $263.40 to savvy bettors who bet on her.

Must-dos:

Want to have the ultimate Del Mar experience? Of course, you do! Here are our recommendations for …

At the track

The Paddock

One of the best places to spend time between races is Del Mar’s paddock. A graduated viewing area surrounds the saddling enclosure, giving fans the perfect view of the horses and their humans as they prepare for each race.

17 Hands

The best tacos at Del Mar can be found at 17 Hands, a restaurant, bar, and wagering area located right next to the paddock. Grab a bite and settle in to people- and pony-watch.

Del Margarita

Veranda Café patio provides unparalleled view of paddock. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

If you like cocktails, you’re going to love a Del Margarita. The track’s signature drink is comprised of a double shot of tequila, margarita mix, a splash of Patrón Citrónge, orange juice, soda water, and a lime wedge. It’s an incredibly refreshing way to celebrate a day at Del Mar. Other featured cocktails include the Make Your Mule, Summer Breeze, Blood Orange Smash, and Red Bull Wings.

Lunch and Drinks at Veranda Café

One of the most beautiful places to enjoy a late lunch or cocktails at Del Mar is the Veranda Café, particularly the patio. It overlooks the paddock (the area where the horses are saddled before each race) with one of the most spectacular views you could ever hope for.

Around Town

L’Auberge

Looking for a little luxury? L’Auberge is the premier hotel in Del Mar, offering restaurants, a spa, and an incredible bar scene after each day of racing. It’s the place to see and be seen once the races are over, and you’ll run into trainers, owners, and even jockeys in the bar area on any given evening. It’s a must-visit, even if you don’t plan on staying overnight. 

Surfing Lessons

If you’ve never tried your hand at surfing, a weekend at Del Mar is the perfect time to try it out. Del Mar Surf School is right in town, and they offer beginner lessons that include access to a surfboard, wetsuit, and commemorative photos.

Golf

If you love golf, you’re going to adore Del Mar. The area is surrounded by golf courses, including the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. Mission Bay and Balboa Golf Course are also local, so get ready to tee up before heading to the track.