Home USA West

Something for Everyone at Santa Anita Park Racetrack
Rate it! Votes (1) | Comments (0) By FabulousTravel.com Photos: Mitch Mandell Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Santa Anita, by , (1999, Carpenter Assn)	Santa Anita

ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Spending a day at the racetrack may not seem like the ideal family activity, but at Santa Anita Park, located 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles in Arcadia, there is literally something for everyone, even if they have no interest in horse racing.

Opened in 1934 and designed by Gordon Kaufmann, architect of the Hoover Dam, Santa Anita is an eclectic art deco masterpiece that blends Streamline Moderne with American Colonial, Spanish Revival and even New Orleans styles. Between the lush manicured green lawns, meticulously tended colorful gardens and historically significant architecture, all nestled against the backdrop of the San Gabriel mountains, there's hardly a more idyllic setting to spend a California afternoon.

Guests should allow plenty of time to stroll through the manicured Paddock Gardens or to take an early morning "behind-the-scenes" stable tour (weekends only). Early birds who want to watch the horses train for upcoming races can get a great view from the "Clocker's Corner" area of the park. The action here starts as early as 5 AM, but luckily breakfast is available in the trackside café.

Family Fare
The racetrack property covers 320 acres, including stable accommodations for 1,800 thoroughbreds, and features a one-mile main track, a seven-furlong turf course and a six-furlong training track. In addition to a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains, the infield offers extensive picnic facilities. Don't be afraid to bring the kids along either as the little ones will love the "Anita Chiquita" children's playground, also conveniently located in the track's infield.

Something for the History Buffs
Home of the 1984 Olympics equestrian competitions, the track has served (and continues to serve) as the site of countless prestigious races and it has been home to dozens of racing legends. In the golden age of Hollywood, regular track attendees included such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Bing Crosby. Movie buffs will also recognize Santa Anita in the classic Shirley Temple film The Legend of Seabiscuit. The track suffered a brief dark period during World War II when it became an assembly center, providing temporary housing for 20,000 Japanese Americans awaiting relocation  to internment camps.

Modern Excitement
Today, Santa Anita provides an exciting day for racing fans and tourists alike. The track sponsors countless special events during it season, including wine and beer tastings, twilight racing and other seasonal specials. A day at the races makes a unique date that doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, if you gamble conservatively (minimum win, place and show bets are only $2.00).

Santa Anita is also a fabulous place to dine. From the elegance of the clubhouse (one of the few establishments in LA that has a strict dress code, other than the Magic Castle) to the casual corned beef sandwiches served by vendors in the general admission areas, the food served at Santa Anita is excellent - across the board.

The most popular place to eat is the Front Runner Restaurant, and with good reason. Overlooking the finish line, the 300 foot long, glass enclosed facility features tiered seating with flawless track views for 525 people. If you don't feel like eating, you can watch the action while sipping a cocktail at the restaurant's 215-foot serpentine bar. Wagering windows are conveniently located nearby and wide screen TVs provide close-up coverage of the races.

When not watching the races, diners can watch their dinner being prepared. The Front Runner boasts not one, but two identical, glass-enclosed observation kitchens. The cuisine, featuring fresh ingredients so readily available in Southern California, is world class and changes daily to reflect market specials. Entrees range from gourmet fare to wood fired pizzas. Racing fans used to dining at other tracks will truly be surprised at the outstanding quality of the Santa Anita dining experience. This is a restaurant you'll want to return to again and again. The fact that it comes wrapped in such an exciting and spectacular setting is just an added bonus.

Getting There & Practicalities
For more information, visit the Santa Anita website at www.santaanita.com.

The regular season at Santa Anita begins the day after Christmas and run until late April. There is also a short season in October for the Oaktree meet.

Santa Anita Park is located in Arcadia California, a residential community 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Major freeways giving access to Santa Anita are the Foothill Freeway (I-210) on the north, San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) on the south, the San Gabriel River (I-605), Orange (75) Freeways on the east and the Pasadena (110) and Glendale (2) Freeways on the west.

FrontRunner Reservations: 626-574-1035
Club House Reservations: 626-574-1161

Directions from Area Airports

Los Angeles International Airport -- Santa Anita is 30 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport. To reach Santa Anita from LAX, take the Century Freeway (105) east to the Harbor Freeway (110). Then take the Harbor Freeway north to Orange Grove in Pasadena. Turn left on Orange Grove and take it to the I-210 Freeway east. Exit at Baldwin and turn right.

Hollywood-Burbank Airport -- Santa Anita is 21 miles from the Hollywood-Burbank Airport. To reach Santa Anita from the airport, take the Golden State Freeway (I-5) south to the 134 Freeway east. The 134 will become the I-210 Freeway east. Exit at Baldwin and turn right.

Ontario Airport -- Santa Anita is 37 miles from the Ontario Airport. To reach Santa Anita from the airport, take the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10) west to the I210 Freeway west. Exit at Baldwin. Turn right on Foothill and right again on Baldwin.

There are no comments for this item

Be the first to leave a comment

You must be a registered member to leave a comment. So why not sign up now?