The state offers a warm climate all year round, and high-quality equines are typically in action on the West Coast. As well as this, some of the key trials ahead of the Kentucky Derby are run at tracks in California, leading to many newcomers signing up for a horse betting sign up bonus.

With a warm climate and excellent action on-track, millions pass through the gates to watch racing in California annually. However, what are the standout horse racing venues in the state?

Fresno Racepark

One of the lesser-known international tracks in California is Fresno Racepark. This is a popular social event in the state, with live racing held throughout the year.

It is the home of harness and quarter races in the state and has a rich history, having been open to the public since the 1800s. It has taken on greater importance since the closure of Golden Gate Fields, with Fresno also hosting rodeos and motorsport events in recent years.

In addition to on-track action, it is a popular destination for sports bettors, with live streaming and gambling options available year-round. Therefore, this makes the track one of the standout options for watching the Kentucky Derby locally.

Los Alamitos Race Course

One of the most scenic locations to watch racing in California is Los Alamitos Race Course. This track is located in Cypress, and it has been open to the public since 1951. It remains one of the most popular tracks in the area and is best known for hosting some of the biggest quarter races on the calendar.

That was first evidenced in 1955, when the legendary Go Man Go attracted capacity crowds throughout the season. The biggest race on the calendar annually is the Grade One Champion of Champions. This features a line-up of winners of seven key trials during the season, and a purse of $750,000 is up for grabs.

A distance of 440 yards is over aged by the field, with 2010 champion Apollitical Jess holding the speed record. Refrigerator is the most successful horse in the history of the race, winning the event in three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994.

Del Mar

One of the two elite thoroughbred race tracks in California comes in the form of Del Mar. This track is located on the Pacific Coast line, and it has been open to the public since 1936. Del Mar has links to Hollywood, as it was constructed with the assistance of movie star Bing Crosby. The venue is a social hot spot year-round, with 300 events on the calendar. However, few events are able to attract bigger crowds than horse racing.

Racing runs between July and September, with six Grade Ones being on the annual calendar. Known as ‘Where the Turf Meets the Surf’, the track has also hosted the iconic Breeders’ Cup on four occasions. It previously held the event in 2025, as Forever Young memorably landed success in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Del Mar’s racing history dates back to the 30s, but it wasn’t until the 1946 running of the Bing Crosby Stakes that it became regarded as one of the leading tracks in the United States. Huge purses saw some of the biggest names in the sport target success at Del Mar in the 1940s and 50s, with Bill Shoemaker regularly finding himself in the Winners’ Enclosure.

Nowadays, the Pacific Classic is the standout race on the calendar. The Grade One has been staged since 1991, and it is a crucial prep ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Recent winners of the race include Flightline, Fierceness, and Accelerate.

Santa Anita

The most famous horse racing venue in California comes in the form of Santa Anita, located in Arcadia. This track hosts world-class action annually, with some of the biggest names in the sport typically sending runners there. It has also hosted major events aside from racing, as Santa Anita hosted equestrian events at the 1984 Olympics.

The track will once again have the same honor in 2028. Santa Anita was opened to the public in 1934, and it quickly became regarded as one of the outstanding tracks in North America. Some of the world’s greatest ever horses have run at the track, including Seabiscuit, who made his final star in California.

The Santa Anita Handicap is a notable race on the calendar, with the Grade One being won by stars such as Game On Dude, Tiznow, and Triple Bend. Santa Anita also hosts one of the most important Kentucky Derby prep races in the form of the Santa Anita Derby. The major prep was won by Journalism in 2025, before the Michael McCarthy-trained runner finished second at Churchill Downs.