The Best Hotels to Book Near Del Mar Racing, California

Staying at the Winners Circle Resort is a safe bet for anyone who wants to be close to Del Mar Racetrack. Every suite has a kitchenette for quick meals before or after the races. A dry sauna, outdoor pool, clubhouse, and tennis club will keep you busy on days that you’re not checking out the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, or SeaWorld. And it goes without saying that the five minute drive to the beach is well worth leaving the property for.

There’s a pooch program at L’Auberge Del Mar that’s too dog-gone good to pass up. This seaside retreat will spoil you and Snoop, as the dedicated concierge is happy to arrange hair cuts, baths, and nail care for the two of you (paw-dicure, anyone?). A private walking path will lead you down to the beach where you can then stroll to pooch-permitting Del Mar destinations such as Dexter’s Deli or Dirty Dog Park.

See the private Morgan Run Club as an invitation to book that long-delayed golf trip your buddies have begged for. Gather your foursome and check into a course-view room so you can scout the greens from your balcony. Twenty-seven holes of championship golf await in the morning after a few minutes warming up on the driving range. Even if you only can sink par, the bone-in Duroc pork chop, grilled flat iron steak, and pan-seared barramundi will make you feel like a winner at the Littler Lounge.

Take a break from the adrenaline of the racecourse, and restore your body at the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. If health is wealth, your stay will be rich with rejuvenation, starting with healthy coastal ranch cuisine sourced from local farms. Bliss out with a bounty of treatments in the spa and salon that’ll revitalize your mind, body, and soul. Take the refinement to a new level with yoga and pilates in the fitness center then treat yourself to a well-deserved cocktail by the pool.

A Michelin-starred restaurant, miles of hiking trails, a five-star spa, and an award-winning golf course; let it be known that the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is not cutting any corners when it comes to spoiling you. Every inch of their 4,500 square foot (420 sqm) villas – from the sunken jacuzzi tubs in the marble bathroom to the secluded sun terraces – are yours to savor in privacy. As a bonus, in-villa dining brings Amaya’s spiced fennel rigatoni or filet mignon right to your door.

Finally, a chance to prove to your spouse that all of those hours at the golf course were worth it. The Lodge at Torrey Pines overlooks the iconic links and invites you to shoot your best rounds across 36 holes. Though, you need not set foot on the greens to have a memorable stay. The luxury suites alone, with their oversized tubs, fireplace, and balconies will convince you to take advantage of the around-the-clock room service.

The beach is your playground at La Jolla Shores Hotel. Before you sprint out onto the sand, snap up your own umbrellas, chairs, and towels, courtesy of the hotel. The beachfront rooms are especially relaxing, particularly the suites with kitchenettes and private balconies from which you can watch the kids splash in the waves. Watch the surf crash from the windows of the Marine Room as you dive into a seafood platter so good that it’s been featured in the Michelin Guide.

A quiet, artistic hideaway near the beach, Les Artistes Inn is a sanctuary for creative minds. Choose a room inspired by the likes of Georgia O’Keefe or Van Gogh, and soak in the attention dedicated to every detail (such as a New Mexico-inspired colour palette in the case of the former). Will you relax in a jacuzzi bath or clawfoot tub? Gaze up at exposed wooden beams or through a skylight? Take your drawing pad or notebook and let inspiration find you down beside the fireplace in the covered courtyard.