Horse Races

Horse Races Overview

Going to the horse races is fun and sometimes profitable. Half the fun of the races is seeing and hearing these beautiful animals as the pass by on their way to the finish line. With an average of only 6 to 9 races and a minimum bet of only $1 to $2 dollars, it can actually make for a action-packed, inexpensive day. Many of the state's fairs also have race days, which often include Dachshund races too. Even if you're not into gambling, it can be quite an experience to just watch the horses run. But if you're looking to place a wager and want to brush up on the various types of bets that can be made, we've put together a list of bets with descriptions for you.

HORSE RACING BETS

San Francisco Horse Racing
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Golden Gate Fields are located near the intersection of Interstates 80 and 580 in Albany. Situated on the San Francisco Bay, they offer thoroughbred racing August through December.

Golden Gate Fields
1100 Eastshore Highway
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 559-7300
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Alameda County Fair at the Alameda County Fairgrounds off Highway 680 and Bernal Avenue in Pleasanton. Enjoy thoroughbred racing for two weeks every July when the Alameda County Fair is in town.

Pleasanton Fargrounds
4501 Pleasanton Avenue
Pleasanton, CA 94566
(925) 426-7600
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Sonoma County Fair at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds off Highway 12 and Hendley Street in Santa Rosa. Enjoy thoroughbred racing for two weeks late July into August when the Sonoma County Fair is in town.

Santa Rosa Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 545-4200
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Solano County Fair at the Solano County Fairgrounds off Interstate 80 across from Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo. Enjoy thoroughbred racing for one week in July when the Solano County Fair is in town.

Vallejo Fairgrounds
900 Fairgrounds Drive
Vallejo, CA 94585
(707) 551-2066
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Los Angeles Horse Racing
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Santa Anita Park is located off the 210 Freeway and Santa Anita Avenue, just east of Pasadena. Enjoy year-round racing at the home of the Breeders Cup. This was the track where Seabiscuit ran most of his winning races including his last race in 1940. Santa Anita was featured in the hit movie, Sea Bisquit.

FACT: It's a little-known fact that Santa Anita Park served as a Japanese internment camp during World War II. See our details of Manzanar for more on Japanese internment camps.

Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-7223
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Hollywood Park is located off Interstate 405 near the Century Boulevard exit. Live thoroughbred racing takes place April through July and November through December.

TIP: Use caution when visiting this part of the city. See our Crime Zone Map for more detailed information.

Hollywood Park
1050 South Prairie Avenue
Inglewood, California 90301
(310) 419-1500
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Los Alamitos is located off Interstates 605 at Katella Avenue. Live quarter horse racing takes place year-round.

Los Alamitos Race Course
4961 Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90720
(714) 995-1234
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

L.A.County Fair is located off Interstate 10 at Fairplex Drive in Pomona. They host horse racing every year during the L.A.County Fair in September.

Fairplex Park
1101 W. McKinley Avenue
Pomona, California 91768
(909) 623-3111
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

San Diego Horse Racing
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Del Mar is located off Interstate 5 at the Via de la Valle exit in Del Mar. "Where the Turf Meets the Surf". Live thoroughbred racing July through September.

TIP: Amtrak stops at Solana Beach, just a half-mile north of Del Mar Racetrack. Avoid the crowds and traffic by taking the train.

Del Mar
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 793-5533
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

North Coast Horse Racing
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Humboldt County Fair is located at the intersections of Van Ness Avenue and 5th Street in Ferndale. Live quarter horse racing every August when the Humboldt County Fair is in town.

Ferndale Race Track
1250 Fifth Street
Ferndale, CA 95536
(707) 786-9511
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Central Valley Horse Racing
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California State Fair is held at the Cal Expo complex off Interstate 80 at Exposition Boulevard. Live thoroughbred racing is held late August into September during the California State Fair.

Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-3247
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

San Joaquin County Fair is held at the Stockton Fairgrounds located between Interstate 5 and Highway 99 off E. Charter Way. Live thoroughbred racing is held in late June during the San Joaquin County Fair.

Stockton Fairgrounds
1658 S. Airport Way
Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 466-5041
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

The Big Fresno Fair is held at the Fresno Fairgrounds located between off Highway 41 at E. Ventura Avenue. Live quarter horse racing is held every October during the Big Fresno Fair.

Fresno Fairgrounds
1121 S. Chance Avenue
Fresno, CA 93702
(559) 650-3247
Map  |   Accommodations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas