Opening Day, Del Mar Racing

San Diego kicks off the Fourth of July with a gigantic display of fire works on the bay. Many come from all around and cluster by the Harbor or on the Broadway pier to see this gala event. But July hold other events you might also consider. 
  The Del Mar racing season is kicked off on the 17th as is Comic-com. Comic-book heroes come alive at the Convention Center. Of course the Green Line Trolley drops you off. Tickets are sold out every year but San Diego becomes a mecca for your favorite screen or comic book hero. It is a place to just hang out and relive you childhood. 
   So a word for the wise. Never drive into San Diego in July. It rains people and besides, gas prices ar on the rise.   Never-ever drive to San Diego -- it is not worth it! Instead take a bus, train, bike or link up with Peter Pan to get to the great race track. Last year's experience can be found in my July 31st blog in 2013. 
   But the good news is Amtrak is pitch hitting for the Coaster with two trains out of the Santa Fe Station. Two Amtrak trains leave the station at 8:24, and 10:42 in the morning. Your coaster ticket is good all season except - yes except the first week of the meet. However Coaster trains leave at 6:28, 7:46, 9:48 and 12:38.
   My July 31st blog in 1013 describes the fun and frolic you can share where the sea meets the sod at beautiful Del Mar. Come early and you can tan-up at the famous beaches across the street but first you must walk deep stairs or elevator it to the top where a bridge can take you to a waiting bus.
   To save money, I buy a long sub-sand across the street and fill up my water thermos before going on the bus. If you are lucky, a smiling Hawaiian strums a Uke to the tune of When the surf meets the turf at Old Del Mar...The smell of booze, joints, and perfume make it a ride to remember. A word of caution. Drink inside the train or the police will ticket you for having an open bottle. Te ride on the double-decker British bus is worth the price of admission.

  Oh? You are coming from Los Angeles. No problem. Try to get on the early Metro-link commuter trains. They leave early in the morning and make the usual stops at Orange, Santa Ana and the rest. It is ten dollars one way and they deposit you in Oceanside. You can take the #101 bus or a Coaster train to the track. I enjoy the bus ride since I can look out at the lovely Carlsbad beaches before arriving in Solana Beach.
  Those who must can get lucky and find a place at Solana Beach commuter lot. If full, their are many residential spots on a hill. If I am in Encinitas, I go early and usually find a spot. No longer do I go opening day. All the gals snow off their Easter hats and it is like a herd trying to get to the only water bucket. 
  Got to go now. I am eating lunch at the Lit'l Oak Cafe at the Encinitas Senior Center. A farmer has just brought in several hundred homeless oranges. They have blotches or are not round but like the Good Book says, you can't judge one from the outside. These fruits are worth the lunch.