Del Mar vs Saratoga

[Gander]

"Saratoga harness in the evening is better than going to a Padres game."

Thats very funny. Same with the ballet thing and ole' Mary Lou. Avoid this harness track like the plague, its a dump.

I live in Saratoga so I have no idea what it costs to rent a place there during track season. I'd have to imagine its very pricey. The restaurants are okay but please be advised many of them jack up their prices considerably during track season. Personally I think going to any bar and spending $5 on a beer and $7 for a watered down mixed drink is a waste of money, I dont do that on any vacation. I love this town though its much better during the off season when all the phony high rollers leave.

The racing is superb and if you know where you are going in the track it can be very comfortable, although I prefer not spending an entire day there, for me getting there around the 6th race is plenty.

Siros (bar right outside the track) is one big waste of time and money. It use to be okay about 10-12 years ago but has gone way down hill. It now costs between $6 and & $7 for a can of beer. And the crowds that follow these overhyped cover bands on the weekends there are awful. Your much better off tailgating or hitting a bar downtown.

As far as restaurants, "One Caroline" is superb and tops in my opinion. Everything there is very authentic and very hard to make at home. Prices arent cheap but not all that high scale either. If your looking for a nice steak without all the fancy touches, go to "Docs Steakhouse". Good bang for your buck. For about $25 you get yourself a pretty darn good steak with an all you can salad bar that includes delicious bread.