History of The Racetrack & Fairgrounds

The Racetrack and Fairgrounds

In the early 1930s, as the San Diego Fair sought a permanent location, Colonel Ed Fletcher of the South Coast Land Company proposed an 184-acre site in the picturesque San Dieguito Valley just north of Del Mar Village. With initial funding from the Works Progress Administration, the Del Mar Fair opened in 1936, marking the beginning of an annual tradition that continues today.

The following year, in 1937, completing a mile-long oval thoroughbred racetrack on the same grounds added another layer of excitement to Del Mar. Notably, crooner Bing Crosby, one of the prominent founders of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, assumed the role of President of the Turf Club. His close friend, the renowned movie star Pat O'Brien, served as Vice President. The opening day of the racetrack, on July 3, 1937, marked a new era for Del Mar and earned the track the affectionate nicknames "Bing's Baby" and "Movieland's Own Track." Crosby penned the memorable lyrics that endure today: "Where the surf meets the turf, down in old Del Mar...".

Over the decades, the Del Mar summer racing season has continued to draw crowds, including numerous Hollywood celebrities. The likes of Pat O'Brien, Jimmy and Marge Durante, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, Burt Bacharach, and Angie Dickinson all considered Del Mar their second home. Today, it remains a beloved destination for racing enthusiasts and stars alike.

During World War II, racing at Del Mar temporarily ceased, as the facilities were repurposed as a bomber tail assembly plant. However, with Japan's surrender in August 1945, racing swiftly returned to Del Mar, resuming its place as a cherished institution in the community.