Are you ready for summer fun in San Diego? The season is packed with a non-stop supply of activities and attractions to bring you back to San Diego again and again. From the thrill of Del Mar racing to the splash of a new ride at SeaWorld-- from the proud streets of Hillcrest to the musical streets of the Gaslamp, San Diego welcomes you to a summer you'll never forget- all going on under the sun and stars in America's Finest City! In addition, we have hotel deals to fit any budget along with shopping savings, dining deals and major attraction discounts that are sure to make this a sunny summer to remember. Here's just a taste of what happening:
Great Getaways: Summer Vacation Specials,
San Diego LGBT Pride Celebration, Street Scene
 
Date: 7/21-9/8/04
All bets are on that you'll enjoy more than 43 days of live Thoroughbred racing at the Fairgrounds in Del Mar. With the Opening Day Hats Contest, Family Fun Day with SpongeBob SquarePants™ (7/26), the Chili Cooking & Salsa Contest and Reggae Festival (8/14), 4 O'Clock Fridays featuring free concerts after the races and fun-filled Family Weekends every Saturday and Sunday, there's truly something for everyone!
The Facts
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Hours: Gates open noon weekdays; 11:30am weekends, opening & closing day (some exceptions). Post times 2pm; 4pm Fridays (some exceptions) Closed Tuesdays.
Admission: $5-$8; $3 seniors; active duty military free & children 17 yrs. and under when accompanied by adult
Parking $5 general; $20 valet.
Information: 858-793-5533 or www.delmarracing.com Tickets: 858-792-4242
Hotel Offerings Near the Del Mar Races
Courtyard by Marriott Solana Beach - Rates starting from $89.00
Del Mar Motel on the Beach - Rates starting from $89.00
Doubletree Del Mar - Rates starting from $114.00
Morgan Run Resort & Club - Rates starting from $114.00
Upcoming Events
| July 21 | Opening Day Hats Contest
Take part in this colorful Opening Day tradition and you may win the Grand Prize of a trip for two to the 2005 Kentucky Derby. Contest categories include Best Racing Theme, Funniest/Most Outrageous, Most Glamorous, and Best Fresh Flowers. Sign up between 11:30am & 3pm at in the Plaza de Mexico.
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| July 26 | Family Fun Day featuring SpongeBob SquarePants
Don't miss a special appearance from this popular cartoon character (2:30-5pm). Enjoy free attractions including interactive art stations from the Children's Museum of San Diego, inflatable games and rides, carnival games and a chance to meet a real racehorse! Free admission for children; adults $5. 1-6pm in the Infield.
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| August 7 | Microbrew Festival & Infield Concert
Try some of the finest microbrews from more than 20 breweries starting at noon in the Infield Pacific Pavillion. A free concert featuring Cake will be held in the Infield after the races.
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| August 14 | Western Regional Chili Cookoff & Salsa Contest
Stop by the Infield and spice up your day with a free Chili sample, select your favorite cook and take a shot on the mechanical bull.
Reggae Festival
Jimmy Cliff will perform after the races (approximately 6:30pm) on the Infield stage.
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| Every Friday | 4 O'Clock Fridays
After the races, catch some of the best concerts in town. The entertainment line-up includes Jet (7/23), Switchfoot (7/30), Pete Yorn (8/13), Super Diamond (8/27), and the Violent Femmes (9/3). The first four Fridays, concerts begin at
approximately 7:30pm; the last four Fridays, concerts begin at approximately 7pm. Concerts are held in the Plaza de Mexico and are free with paid racetrack admission.
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Every
Sat & Sun | Family Weekends
These fun-filled weekends (including Labor Day) will appeal to the whole family will feature a petting zoo, GameZone, rock climbing walls, bungee trampoline, pony rides, face painters, stilt walkers, magicians, jugglers and more!. Free admission for children; adults $5. 1-6pm in the Infield. |
Hot Tip
After watching the ponies run, take a walk on the wild side at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. Park at Dark offers new exotic performances, animal encounters, robotic dinosaurs and a chance to take a sunset railway tour of the Park. African dancers will entertain several times a night in the Heart of Africa, a steel drum band will liven up Nairobi Village and Urban Safari will help visitors search for mysterious stilt animals that lurk in the night.
Special Wild Animal Park hours: June 19 through September 6, 9am-8pm (grounds close at 10pm). Order discount tickets to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park.
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