Cities nearby Pasadena:      South Pasadena          Monrovia          Montrose         Arcadia         San Marino         Sierra Madre

Santa Anita Park was built in 1934 by the Los Angeles Turf Club, but the horse races were, in fact, started in 1904 at an adjacent track built by Lucky Baldwin.  Baldwin began his working life in his teens as a horse trader, then later struck it rich at the Comstock Mines in Nevada.   With that wealth he moved to Southern California and purchased the land where the Los Angeles Arboretum and the city of Arcadia now stand.

Santa Anita Park has been scrupulously maintained in the art deco style and colors originally designed by architect Gordon Kaufman. The grounds and gardens are beautiful, as are the thoroughbred horses.

Early morning trainers take race horses out on the Santa Anita track.	Heading back to the stables after the morning workout.

A trainer gets into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day at Santa Anita.	Behind the scenes are stables and living quarters for over 600 people.

John Deere tractors prepare the track for the day's races.	Topiary at Clockers Corner where early visitors can watch horses train.

Lucky Baldwin's home and coach house are still standing in the Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, just across the street from Santa Anita Park. To take an online preview tour on this website of the Arboretum and Baldwin's home, click here.