Surf and Turf in Del Mar, California

It's that time of the year again. As we move into the middle of the hot summer months, the surf and turf is rolling again in Del Mar. Yep, the horse races have started again.

Del Mar is a beautiful little coast town located in the North County area of San Diego. It carries the profile of a large hill rolling down to the ocean. The northern section of Del Mar, however, is a valley heading inland with a waterway in which the tide goes in and out. In this area about a thousand feet from the ocean lies the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds are pretty much what they sound like. Everything from flower shows to concerts are held there throughout the year. An actual full blown fair is also held every June. It's just closed to make way for the other big event at the track. Yep, the ponies run every year from the middle of July though early August.

Given its location, it is hardly surprising that the Del Mar races are not your typical affair. While they have everything a horse racing lover could want [betting, races, betting, adult beverages], there is also a built up interior track area where people picnic and so on. In short, it is family friendly and also just a good place to hang out.

So, what about the nitty-gritty information? Well, let's start with the basics. Races start everyday at 2 in the afternoon. There are nine races and you usually get out of the track between 6 and 7. On certain Fridays, there are bands put on by a local radio station, so the races don't start till 4 p.m. Tickets to get in are $6 every day. Parking is $8, so you might want to park at the beach and walk in. The track is open every day except Tuesdays.

July through September are some of the best months to sit on the beach in San Diego. The beach haze has generally worn off, so you can pretty much sit and bake all day. Still, one can only sit on the beach for so many days without needing a break. When you hit that point, the Del Mar races are a great distraction.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals that make great custom promotional items for your business or event.