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Southern California weekend Inside Pick a pony in Del Mar » Summer classics go gourmet »

Hang 10—or just watch—in Huntington Beach »

Day at the racesDel MarWhy go now: Sun, surf, and ocean breezes meet big hats, mint juleps, and fast horses on a summer day. Pick a pony: Del Mar Racetrack’s 71st season starts July 21 and ends Septem-ber 8 (admission from $6; del marscene.com or 858/755-1141). Dress code: Wear your widest-brimmed hat. And BYOB (binoc-ulars). Racing cred: Seabiscuit raced here in 1938. Theme song: Bing Crosby’s Del Mar–inspired “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” plays before the sixth post (track lingo for the scheduled race start). First post: Usually 2 p.m., but the doors open about 21/2 hours earlier. Number of races per day: 8 to 10 Ditch your wheels: Take Amtrak (amtrak.com or 808/872-7245). Free shut-tles run from the nearby Solana Beach station to the track. A whiff of the good old days: The ornate hallways are lined with vintage black-and-white photos and old-school vending machines with bags of warm nuts. For early birds: At Day -break at Del Mar (7:30–9:30; free), a former jockey gives the behind-the-scenes scoop while horses start their workouts. Stay for a buffet breakfast ($9.95) in the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant.

BY Chantal Lamers | photographs by Dave Lauridsen

Explore more on page 22 »

Racing season kicks off this month at Del Mar Racetrack, where you might catch the next Seabiscuit flying by.

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Share your weekend finds. Favorite seaside spot to spend a summer day? Email your suggestions to the weekend guide editor at wgeditor@sunset.com

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Southern California Day trip

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Getting to Del MarThe track is about 20 miles north of San Diego and 100 miles south of L.A. info delmarscene.com; parking from $8 per vehicle.

Make it a weekendAbout a mile from the track, Les Artistes Inn is a 1940s roadside motel turned whimsical Spanish-style retreat with graceful archways, flower-filled walk-ways, fireside courtyards, and colorful mosaics. Each of the 12 artist-inspired rooms is different, but we like the Rivera and the O’Keeffe. From $155; two-night weekend minimum; les artistesinn.com or 858/755-4646.

Pick a favoriteBefore the first post, check out the manicured Paddock (pictured at far left), where horses are saddled and paraded by their jockeys before each race. Want to spot a winner? Super-stitious sorts say a horse is raring to go if its ears are pinned back.

Place a betGrab a Daily Racing Form ($5) at the gate for info on the day’s races and horses (we’re partial to names like Watch Me Go Byebye and Jazz Hands). Improve your odds by nabbing an unofficial handicap form with expert picks (we got Bob’s Card outside the gate for $5). Or drop in on the “Newcomers’ Seminar” (free with admission) an hour before the first race. You have until the bugler plays “Call to the Post” to choose a winner.

Stake out a spot$6 will get you standing room, and another $8 to $15 will get you a seat. But we recommend booking a track-side table at the Stretch Run Grill (from $100 for a four-top, plus admis-sion). The food ($) is nothing to write home about, but it’s worth the all-day perch with great views. No matter where you are, you’ll see the Winners’ Circle, where the champs are lavished with garlands.

But wait—there’s moreStick around for concerts (free with admission; delmarscene.com/concert) on Fridays and some Saturdays a half-hour after the last winner is declared. Friday’s shows take place on the new Seaside Terrace stage; Saturday’s are on the infield. We’re coming back for the B52s (Aug 6).

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