This is how I see it - we all go to the the Del Mar racetrack for the day, and then come back to San Diego after to eat at the Vine here in OB. This would be Saturday. Friday, if some people can make it, I can make a casual dinner at my house.
I am hoping Marcia and David can come and they will be in Italy in July, so the days that would work would be August 4 or August 12. (Date changed to Aug. 25)
Does this sound interesting to anyone? Del Mar is an awesome outing; it's a world class track!
[edited by Chris to change date]
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris,
Hey, a GTG i can get too, sounds like fun, i will be there, no baseball on the 12th. But even the 4th would be good. I would give up baseball for a GTG. SKmom
Marcia and David are so there! Love the idea "Pinot and Ponies". Pick one of those dates and I will put it in ink on the calendar. We will try for Friday night too.
I live over in R.B. so let me know what i can do for you!! I marked my calendar too, looking forward to meeting all of you. SKmom---you will know who i am, the lolady with white hair!
So many fun things to do and too little time! We hope to make Del Mar but won't know till a few balls in the air come down. I'll watch the website for the date you'all decide on.
Shannon, that is funny. Can I use that phrase other places in OB or is strictly for the motel?
Hopefully, we can join in since we are getting back on July 29 but..........there will be at least a million things we need to take care of then. What about not going to the track but joining in for dinner at the Vine?
I'm starting a new job for Oceanside Unified School District on August 20, so hopefully I should be settled into a new home in the area by GTG time. I can't think of a better introduction to the horseraces than with this group, so count me in. I'm moving several cases of Central Coast Pinots with me, and am anxious to share!
Posts: 113 | Location: San Diego area | Registered: 16 March 2006
Are we doing this on August 4 or August 11? I guess we could just decide on the 4th unless the majority here prefers the 11th.
We also need to figure out how glamorous to be. Our options:
What I normally do: pay my $3 (with Triple A, it is $6 without) and bring my own chair, then I sit on the asphalt right in front of the final stretch. The good thing about this is that we don't have to commit to any certain number of tickets, so whoever shows up shows up. Also we can spread out and move around, and bring a picnic. The bad things: can get very hot there on the asphalt, and you cannot see the whole track (though it is fun to see the horses go right by in the final stretch.)
There is a section of the asphalt that is closer to the building that has more shade. So that is an option if we go the cheaper route.
Our other option is to reserve seats in the grandstand or the clubhouse. Clubhouse seats are $20 (you have to pay $10 for the Clubhouse ticket and another $10 for your seat) or $16 (General admission $6 plus $10 for the seat.) Good thing about this is you are not in the sun, and you can see the whole track. Bad things - we will all have to commit and pay in advance, we may not end up all sitting together, and it will not be as free and mobile.
Ack! I just realized August 4 is Brian from the Vine's birthday party day. He may want to be around when we go to the Vine. So I am officially making the GTG date August 11.
Shannon - my husband will actually be at DelMar at the end of July - he absolutely loves the ponies, and can attest to how nice that track is. Sounds like you'll have a great GTG!
August 11 works for us! It would be fun to all be together, and the sun is no problem for us in a couple of beach chairs with a picnic! On the other hand, the Clubhouse seats may be more comfy if we're there for a long time. We will go with the flow. Shannon, what is YOUR preference? (She who organizes the GTG gets to make the "rules". )
I think that August 11 will also work for us. I actually think it's a better date for us, gives us some breathing and unpacking room from out Italy trip.
Palma's right - you get to choose what we do at the track - anything you plan will be fine.
David and I made a trip to Phillipe's on Saturday - told him you would be horrified if he ordered the carafe so we each had a very nice glass of pinot .
I called Del Mar about getting some box seats in the Stretch Run. They do have some left for that date but they are way down at the end. We could get a couple of boxes that seat 6 people each right next to each other. BUT I have to have a commitment because I will have to buy the tickets now.
Check out this seating map. If we were on the asphalt we would be in front of the Stretch Run grill. If we get the box seats they will be on the second level all the way to the right. Box seats are $20 opposed to $6.
I know you guys want me to decide but I want everyone to be comfortable. The box seats may be the way to go. Let me know what you think.
We'll make a commitment for the box seats. We might as well be comfy and in the shade. It is a day's entertainment for 20 bucks. And we'll be betting too, right? What time do the festivities begin? (If the general consensus is $6 asphalt, we're ok with that too.)
We could also make that committment for comfort and some shade.
More concerned with finding a place to stay in or near OB. One of the places mentioned above is booked, the B&B wants 3 nights and it is summer season. If we look outside OB, is there a suggestion for close - Mission Bay?
Well, after obsessing a bit on this for the past few days, I think the best thing to do is just go for the GA asphalt. We don't know, in the end, how many will come or not; there may be late comers and what have you. So let's just keep it simple.
Marcia, I called the Inn at Sunset Cliffs today. They have three rooms left for that weekend but they are a bit pricey (for me, anyway.) With the Obecian discount they have a one bedroom King suite for $215. Palma, where are you and Brad staying? Mission Bay, Mission Valley, and Old Town are all pretty close.
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