Santa Anita
 

Going to Los Angeles on Thursday and will be staying very near The race track. Will likely be there at least 2 weeks and maybe longer so will undoubtedly get a chance to go to the track. Have never been there. Some kind soul(s) give me some helpful info. What does it cost to park? Do they have Wi-Fi? What's the difference between general admission and clubhouse?
I am guessing that the general admission is pretty much no frills and little access to the live racing? Would appreciate answers to these questions and anything else that you think would be helpful.

Parking is free Thursday and Friday, I believe, and $10 or less other days. Infield parking may even be free all the time, haven't parked there in a while.

Yes they have WiFi. Some ADW and racing related sites will be blocked, but otherwise coverage is very good.

General Admission is 100% perfectly fine, with lots and lots of access and seating. You have the rail all the way past the finish line. The place is huge.

Clubhouse is $10 and probably worth it just to poke around the other seating areas and food options.

Thursdays and Fridays I think are free GA...

Say hello to Frank the bartender in the Clubhouse (the bar to your right as you enter from valet parking/gate) and get him to tell some old Hollywood celeb stories.

Wake up early one day (any day of the week) and watch the workouts at Clocker's Corner. You'll be in very good company.

Take the Seabiscuit Tram Tour if you have a chance.

On weekends, about an hour before post, they offer a handicappers seminar for the day's card down by the paddock. It's worth sitting in. They get good guests.

Nearby Sierra Madre has some good breakfast joints, also Colette in east Pasadena.

Our gracious host Mr Byk turned me on to the Dal Rae in semi-nearby Pico Rivera for a fantastic apres-races dinner. The Derby is pretty good too.

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it.

If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, you can play in the $40 low-roller tournaments.

http://www.santaanita.com/events/40-.../#.WRKSNIjyvD5

Sounds like an interesting idea. Considering my play in free contests, I probably wouldn't have a prayer, but since I would probably be playing some or all of the contest races anyway, I might give it a shot. Thanks for telling me about it.