Golden Gate Fields Racetrack

Berkeley, United States

4

Closed now

20 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-559-7300
Website:
www.goldengatefields.com
Address:
1100 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley, CA, 94710
at Harrison St
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.8 mi6th St & Cedar St
0.9 mi6th St & Virginia St
1 mi52
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Bussiness info

Bike Parking
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Berkeley) 09:09 Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Northern California’s premier horse racing facility, Golden Gate Fields has been offering exciting thoroughbred action to the Bay Area since 1941. Located right along the San Francisco Bay off of I-​80, fans are treated to some of the best sights and sounds in the world.

History

Established in 1941.

Golden Gate Fields is located along the bay in the city of Albany, California, eight miles from downtown Oakland and 11 miles from San Francisco. The track crosses the Albany/​Berkeley city line, and the stable area is located in the city limits of Berkeley.

Golden Gates Fields commenced its first meeting on Feb. 1, 1941. Due to poor track conditions caused by heavy rains, the inaugural meeting lasted only five days. America’s involvement in World War II meant racing at the track wouldn’t resume for six years, and the track became a naval amphibious landing craft base.

Golden Gate Fields reopened on Sept. 9, 1947, and since has produced many of the sports’ greatest thrills. The ’47 season was highlighted by an amazing afternoon of racing on Oct. 4 when two horses, in consecutive races, set world records. Fair Truckle sped six furlongs in 1:08 2⁄5 and Count Speed ran 1 1⁄16 miles in 1:41.

The great Bill Shoemaker, who would go on to become the world’s winningest rid

Meet the Business Owner

Golden Gate Fields G.

Business Owner

Become a fan on Facebook! www​.face​book​.com/​G​o​l​d​e​n​G​a​t​e​F​ields

Follow Golden Gate Fields on Twitter @ggfracing

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20 reviews of Golden Gate Fields Racetrack

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
Date: 12÷3÷2015 Time: 10:45 AM 53° Cloudy & rain
Despite the wet cold weather, it’s a good thing my husband and I are in the Turf Club watching the horse races with our senior citizen group from Mastick Senior Center. As the song goes, «baby, it’s cold outside» and I am glad we’re indoors enjoying the buffet and desserts. The cost was $ 70 per person.
The Turf Club was decorated quite nice during this time of the year — very festive and colorful for the holiday season.
The last time my husband and I have been to Golden Gate Fields was many years ago. We noticed the race track is no longer that cinder colored dirt. It’s a big improvement. The grounds looked well-​maintained. The view from the Turf Club was amazing.
Service by the employees was attentive, friendly and helpful. I did not get any of the roast beef from the buffet. However, what I piled on my plate was better than okay (3.5 stars). I enjoyed my mushroom soup (had two servings) and the assortment of desserts, which went pretty fast.
Ambiance: elegantly decorated and very inviting. My first time in the Turf Club and I have become spoiled. There will be no more sitting outdoors when my husband and I return for more horse racing events.
Even though I am not good at placing bets on the horse races, I still had fun at the buffet, eating to my heart’s content.
Place rating: 5
Benicia, CA
$ 1 days!!! Win win! Full stomach of hot dogs and beer… plus hanging out with the coolest people ever. Don’t really try to bid because I know I won’t win… But I enjoy watching the races and enjoying the great bay weather. Crisp and fresh.
$ 1 parking is Buchanan exit!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Good for an entertaining day… my girlfriend and I as newbies were able to have all the fun we wanted checking out the horses pre race, trips to the bar, ample seating to watch the races, placing bets and cashing in, the staff are great and helpful, others seemingly out for fun were friendly, we didn’t mix it up with the hardcore betters though… there is definitely a vibe of more serious business going on there.
The place is in great shape. Clean and well appointed. It’s nice and not in a cheezy way… it was not crowded on the day we went so no lines and hardly any waiting at the bar and concession… mite be a different story on a busy day?
In all a great time… you spend a few bucks but you can take advantage of all the accutrements like valet parking and turf club without breaking the bank!
The parking staff were on point and lightning fast so have those bills ready for tipping!
Place rating: 1
Bay Point, CA
Normally on dollars Sunday’s this place is fine. But with a quick in and out and it is Sunday. I’m being charged to cash in my ticket five feet away. Two counter old gals giving me and my six year old the worst hassle ever. Even told me to go to the atm and that’s down the hall past what I need done. I’m sitting now waiting 20 mins for security to escort me the five feet and back as if me and my son gone run and hide for a free day to watch some weak Azz simulcast races.
If I can I would give these lady’s a double negative here on Unilocal.Theirs more to all the attitude im sill receiving from across the counter with evil glares. This regular patron for more then 35 years will now find a new Sunday event for me and my family. Two fingers duces. GGF..
Place rating: 3
Lake Oswego, OR
Went on a Sunday $ 1 day. Great deal if you’re not a regular horse better. I would think that if you were really into it, you wouldn’t come out on those days though, since it brings out the «amateurs».
They have lots of automated terminals for making bets. The learning curve on them is a bit high, so take your time if it’s your first time. One note there, you can only change in min $ 5, even if you’re only betting $ 1. Don’t worry, you can get your money back, just take your cash ticket to the payout window and you can get the $ 4 back.
People serving the $ 1 beer and hotdogs were very nice. Those manning the betting services were more surely, but it was $ 1 day after all.
Lots of smoking and a bit of trash everywhere (at least in the lower level), but hey, it’s a racetrack. Might spend the $ 3 to get a seat upstairs next time. Will be back!
Place rating: 4
Hayward, CA
I had a very great experience here for «Dollar Day» everything was a buck. I thoroughly enjoyed the view The horse racing. The staff was excellent except for one rude employee. Loved the dollar hot dogs and beer. More people should come out!
Place rating: 5
Orangevale, CA
Didn’t explore the first time I went. Explored the second time and this place is three times bigger than I imagined. The entire upstairs is amazing. Very nice bar for a Horse Track. Nice options for food. Went when they had live music which they should have all the time! This is my favorite track in Nor Cal. I left with a few hundred in my pocket too!
Place rating: 1
Richmond, CA
Crowded
Chain smokers
Hour long food/​drank lines (they ran out of what i wanted the second i got up there)
Cold ass nasty nachos
Over cooked thirsty burgers
I hate this place and every1 here.
Place rating: 5
San Ramon, CA
I was pleasantly surprised with this place. I have been to many tracks back east and in the south and this one was less blue collar than what I expected. My only complaint is not enough actual tellers. Most windows are automated for use with credit card. Dollar days are awesome! !!
Place rating: 3
San Rafael, CA
I don’t have much to compare this to. I’ve never been to a horse racing track before.
The grounds were beautiful. The buffet was plentiful, and I liked that we essentially had 6 – 7 hours of potential entertainment and unlimited food to eat while enjoying it.
The service, however, was terrible. We waited more than 30 minutes for our water to arrive after having been seated, waiting, then placing our order. It seemed like there weren’t nearly enough waiters working. The long delays to get anything from our waitress made this a place I wouldn’t look forward to returning to.
This is minor, but they don’t do refills on soda and each glass is $ 3. That seems like an odd oversight. It was a Sunday. If we were outside, beers and such were $ 1 each. But, I was inside where just a class of soda from a fountain dispenser was $ 3 per glass. I don’t subtract a star for this. It’s cheap, and lame, but it isn’t terrible.
Place rating: 5
Belmont, CA
I organized a friends birthday party here and we had such a blast! It’s something we all had never done before and it was different. We were not disappointed! Would definitely do it again!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
WOW, great fun! I can’t wait to come back. I won $ 58 my first time betting, what were the odds! (1 in 6). It could have been a lucky One Time Only deal, and maybe I should never come back again or I’ll be disappointed if I don’t win again…
It’s a really pretty place, the races are so fun and quick! Definitely enjoy the view on a nice sunny day, sitting outside, drinking a beer or some food. Everyone should check it out!
Place rating: 4
Hayward, CA
Did the Kentucky Derby and a few Dollar Days here. Note, the crowd during DD’s is fine, there’s a lot of families there and kids, so it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. Dollar Days is such a tremendous promotion on so many levels: they offer shuttles so you don’t have to drive and park (you pick it up from Berkeley and they drive you over, it’s about a 10 – 15 minute drive), and then everything besides the actual betting is $ 1. Sure, the hot dogs aren’t any special, but that’s what the toppings are for! Like Jimmy Kimmel said on the great Man Show, «the dog may have cost you $ 12 bucks, but the toppings are free» (or something to that effect, RIP to that classic). The beers are tiny, but that’s why you buy two at a time. On a nice day, watching some horses running at breakneck speeds… not too bad of a Sunday.
Place rating: 5
Woodland, CA
$ 1 day sundays are the best!
$ 1 parking
$ 1 entry (kids under 17 free)
$ 1 hot dogs
$ 1 beers
Cheap fun for the whole family! Our little toddler loves the horse races.
Place rating: 4
Lodi, CA
Golden Gate Fields is a beautiful Racetrack located in Berkeley. The grounds are clean and well maintained and there is lots of fun to be had. I came here for the first time 3 years ago and I have been a regular visitor ever since. There is nothing like the excitement of the race; the anticipation, the cheering and the energy of all the other patrons, and finally the finish line! You don’t have to have a lot of money; you can make small bets or none at all. We always have a lot of fun.
I recommend coming on dollar days. You can’t beat $ 3 for entry, a soda and a hot dog! Or spending a Sunday outdoors with the family having some fun. Anyone who has never been should try it at least once.
Place rating: 4
Fremont, CA
Sunday $dollar$day!!! Gates open at noon to $ 1 parking. $ 1 gets into the races and then it’s $ 1 beers and hit dogs. They get knocked one star for serving Pepsi over Coke products. Total hipsters paradise for a warm California day out!
Place rating: 4
Fremont, CA
Went yesterday for dollar Sundays, but apparently Dollar Sundays end before 4pm so make sure to go before 4pm on Sunday! Was fun for a first time experience, got to see the horses up close before they raced. Watched a beautiful sunset of the SF Bay from the other side of the entrance to the track. All in all a great experience.
Place rating: 4
Oakland, CA
This was my first experience at a race track. I had such a great time. I decided to bet on the horse that donned my school colors: blue and gold – go Cal! Anyway, it paid off, strangely enough.
I was with a few friends who are «regulars» at this field. They showed me around, ordered me a drink and offered a «dog» but that was a bit too much. I enjoyed my drink and talked to a few people who were also in line placing their bets. I obviously did not know what I was doing because I chose based on colors… ah! But guess what???
WINNER!!!
The track area is nice and well maintained, though the bathrooms and hang out areas not so much. It was fun for an afternoon, though I am not sure I would ever become a «regular» myself.
Stephani Smiles at GGF… and at that pretty horse!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
$ 1 SUNDAYS!
Honestly, you can’t go wrong! If you’re looking for a #SUNDAYFUNDAY activity, Golden Gate Fields is a great place to go. Great for large groups, families, kids, etc.
No gimmicks, hot dogs and beers are $ 1! You pay the $ 1 admission and buy wooden $ 1 chips. Each chip is good for a drink or hot dog. In terms of sheer value, you can’t beat this. For most people, $ 10 is enough to get buzzed and enjoy a fun day out in the sun!
I suggest taking Bart since there is a free shuttle from the station to the track. If you do plan on betting, I suggest reviewing the rules on the website, especially if you have never bet on horse racing before.
Other then that, it’s a really good time here. The company you bring will ultimately make your experience, but Golden Gate Fields will provide the venue. Plenty of cheap thrills to be had here!
Place rating: 4
Campbell, CA
$ 1 beers, $ 1 hot dogs? Say no more… I’m sold!!!
My friends organized a day for us to dress up Kentucky Derby Style and come watch the horse races. I wasn’t all that keen on dressing up, but I was really excited for was the $ 1 beers and hot dogs. I was having the time of my life here! I didn’t expect people to dress up, and I really thought I was going to stick out like a sore thumb, but surprisingly a lot of ladies and gents were dressed up and they looked fabulous! Great idea for a Sunday Funday with your friends. Not to mention all the excitement from betting on horses. We didn’t really have a strategy, just the typical I bet on this horse because of his name, or I like the color.
Towards the last couple races we actually went to check out the horses before betting to make more educated bets… and it was really amazing! I love being around animals. Just watching them prance around, it’s pretty awesome. I want to go horse back riding so bad now! Ahhh! We won the last race, and it was a great way to end the day!
The race track itself doesn’t really compare to what you see on screen, but it’s definitely worth visiting, especially when there’s. $ 1 parking, admission, hot dogs, sodas, water, and BEERS!!! It was a super fun group activity, and not to mention it was a bargain for a helluva time! Can’t wait to come back for round 2! I highly suggest dressing up, dollar Sundays FTW!