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Family getaway lies where the surf meets the turf The first time my husband suggested that we pack up the kids and head to the Del Mar Racetrack for the day, I asked incredulously, “Do they allow children at the racetrack?” Being a well-raised Southern girl, my first and only visit to a horseracing event was with my husband, a street-wise Chicagoan, who took me to the Hawthorn Racetrack in Cicero (former headquarters of Al Capone) several years ago. It was a scruffy, oppressive place filled with hard-faced men in trench coats drinking coffee and chain-smoking cigars. I couldn’t imagine why any child would want to be there or why their parents would want to expose them to such a miserable place. But Mike insisted and I skeptically went along, towing 5-year-old Christopher and 18-month-old Alison in a stroller, feeling slightly conspicuous in our brightly colored summer outfits, carrying a picnic basket and looking like we were off to the Atlanta Steeplechase in the rural, rolling hills of Kingston Downs. The Del Mar Racetrack in northern San Diego County, however, was quite unlike anything I expected. It was a beautiful setting with ocean views and coastal cliffs. The crisp air and freshly raked track encircling an emerald green infield inspired a feeling of anticipation of the races to come. A different clientele filled the stands here. Along with moneyed gamblers and gray-haired patrons there were a great deal of young couples, and yes, children. Not everyone was clutching tickets with their head buried in the racing program. Some people seemed to be there with friends or family simply to have good time on a gorgeous summer weekend. Where the kids meet the turf Later I discovered, with a little research, that Del Mar is more popular than you would imagine for families. Last year, track officials recorded a total of 56,766 children ages 17 and under at the races over 43 days for an average of 1,320 per day. There are several reasons that the Del Mar Racetrack has a special appeal for families. First of all, the racing season is short, just over six weeks, from July 19 to Sept. 6 (Dark Tuesdays – no racing). It is more like a special event than year-round gambling activity and runs smack in the middle of summer vacation time. Many of the seasonal workers are local residents of North San Diego County – schoolteachers in particular, track officials say, looking for summer jobs – so the atmosphere is family friendly. And not only are kids allowed, anyone under 17 gets in free. In recent years, the Del Mar Racetrack has been actively targeting the family market by providing entertainment, special events and even a day camp. Every weekend, the infield is like a miniature carnival with inflatables, rides, games and the racetrack’s mascot, Pony Boy. Even the ride on a tram under the racetrack to reach the infield is an adventure for young kids. “Special” special days The racetrack also sponsors special events that cater to kids, such as Family Fun Day, Jockey Photo Day, Action Sports Day and Donut Days. But we tend to avoid those crunch times (officials expected 4,000 children on July 23 for Family Fun Day), because the real reason we go is to see the horses run, not to stand in line for an inflatable slide and eat over-priced Dippin’ Dots. If your children are ages 5-12, they also can attend Camp Del Mar, which includes a lunch, a T-shirt and supervised activities for only $23 a day. We like to experience the racetrack together as a family, and found there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied if you don’t mind moving around. Even young children can understand the concept of a horse race. Be sure to take them down to the finish line and watch their eyes as tons of thoroughbred flesh pounds past, shaking the ground below your feet. Another fun way to pass the time between races is to visit the paddock where the horses are assembled, saddled and paraded past the crowd in an outdoor ring before each race. These traditions – unlike mascots and family fun days - are as old as racing itself. The Del Mar Racetrack opened in 1937 and racetrack founder Bing Crosby was there to greet the first fan through the gate (he sang a song with the lyrics, “where the surf meets the turf”). This is also the racetrack where the famous Seabiscuit defeated Ligaroti by a nose in 1938 before a national radio audience. Once Christopher was older, he got curious about the race itself, the odds on the board, the racing programs and, yes, the gambling aspect of Del Mar. We’re always straight about it and don’t try to hide our meager $2 bets from him. Anyway, kids seem more interested in picking a winning horse than the fact that some people bet money on them. Sometimes they choose a funny name, a favorite color, a lucky number or the horse with the longest tail. And, not surprisingly, our kids get it right more often than we do. Betting is always a gamble; going to Del Mar is not. Genevieve Anton is an Orange County-based contributor. IF YOU GO: Phone: 858.755-1141. Information line: 858.793.5533 Location: In the city of Del Mar, 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, 100 miles south of Los Angeles on I-5 Races: First post daily at 2 p.m. (with exceptions). Racing season is July 19 to Sept. 6 (Dark Tuesdays – no racing) Open: Noon weekdays, 11:30 a.m. weekends (with exceptions) Website at dmtc.com |
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