Hailing from New Orleans, Lisa Spencer brings together math expertise and gambling know-how as Betting.us' editor. With a Master's degree in Applied Mathematics, she excels in game theory. Using statistical models and game theory, she develops and publishes betting strategies for Betting.us. Outside work, Lisa surfs the web for betting insights and does sports.
Alameda County Fair Sportsbook Review
By Lisa Spencer
Senior Editor
Updated: October 24, 2024
With one of the oldest racetracks in the US, the Alameda County Fair provides a unique experience for horse racing fans. Our experts checked the track, including its off-track betting options and schedule.
Alameda County Fair
| Official Name | Alameda County Fair |
|---|---|
| Type | Racetrack |
| Full address | 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA |
| Rating: |
Alameda County Fair Sportsbook
Visitors to the fairground can place bets at the Pleasanton OTB office, which is one of the best sports betting facilities in California. Located on the fairgrounds, just north of the entrance, it features a comfortable lounge with multiple TVs to watch your favorite events. You can bet on and watch events such as harness races in Saratoga or international thoroughbred ones at Woodbine.
Aside from betting on events at other racetracks and fairgrounds, you can also wager on races at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack. While the schedule varies, races are typically held during fall, with some of the most popular ones being Everett Nevin Alameda County Overnight Stakes and California Wine Stakes.
Popular Sports to Bet at Alameda County Fair
| Horse Racing | Everett Nevin Stakes, She’s a Tiger Stakes, Oak Tree Sprint |
|---|---|
| Triple Crown | Kentucky Derby, Belmond Stakes, Preakness Stakes |
| Breeders’ Cup | Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf, Turf Spring |
| Pegasus World Cup Championship | Gulfstream Park Races |
| ...and many more | |
What Types of Bets Can I Make at Alameda County Fair?
The Pleasanton OTB has many familiar betting options. Beginners can try the place and show bets, where you win if the horse places anywhere in the top 3. Meanwhile, more experienced players can try the daily double, where they guess the winner of two consecutive races. You can use betting terminals or talk to the clerks, who can also provide additional information on betting types.
Alameda County Fair Sportsbook Details
The Alameda County Fair racebook is usually open from Wednesday to Sunday, starting from 9:45 AM. However, it can also be open on Mondays if it's a holiday. Work hours end at different times depending on the day, but typically the facility is open until 10:30 PM. Note that you need to pay a $5 admission fee when entering unless you have a CHRB license.
| Open Hours | Wednesday: 9:45 AM – 4:45 PM Thursday: 9:45 AM - 4:30 PM Friday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Betting Operator | Alameda County Fair |
| Live Betting | Available |
| Mobile Betting App | Not Available |
| Simulcast/Off-Track Betting Offered | Available |
| Betting Limits | $2 – Undefined |
| Gambling Legal Age | 18+ |
| Seating Places | 6,608 |
| Entrance Fee | General Admission - $5, CHRB Licensee - Free |
| Number of Screens/Info Tables | 150+ |
Explore Alameda County Fair
The Alameda County Fairgrounds is an event space that spans over 260 acres in Pleasanton, California. Aside from having a superior race book, it has amenities such as an RV park and many event buildings. There's also a private lounge with a view of the track.
If you want to take a break from watching horse races, you can visit the equestrian center, which hosts other horse competitions and animal exhibitions. There's even space for outdoor marketplaces and food stalls if you want to eat.
Alameda County Fair Racetrack
The Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack is suitable for thoroughbred, quarter and arabian horse racing. Established in 1858, it is one of the oldest racetracks in the state, spanning one mile, with a homestretch of 1,085 feet a 60 foot width. Compared to more modern tracks, it's made of sand and soil, which means the track isn't affected too much by the weather and leads to faster races.
| Length of The Track | 1 Mile Oval Track |
|---|---|
| Types of Races | Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse |
| Types of Bets | Straight and Exotic Bets |
| Capacity/Seating Places | 6,608 |
| Race Schedule | www.calfairs.com |
| Entries and Results | www.equibase.com |
| Entrance Fee | General Admissions - $5 |
Casino at Alameda County Fair
While there are no casino games, the Pleasanton OTB has a few other gambling options, rivaling many of the San Francisco sportsbooks. Every Tuesday and Saturday, you can participate in bingo games, with the admission package giving you two packs of 10 strip games. These games include Double Action, Bingo Shark Must Go Jackpots, and American Heroes. Note that games are sometimes held on Thursdays with Triple Action instead of Double Action.
If you prefer something different, you can also buy lottery tickets. These are available daily when the OTB is open, and you can keep track of your results in real-time. Aside from multijurisdictional games like Mega Millions and Powerball, you can try the Daily Derby or Hot Spot.
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0 Slots
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0 Table Games
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0 Poker Tables
How to Get to the Alameda County Fair?
The Alameda Country Fair is located in Pleasanton, CA, some 20 miles east of San Francisco. From the city, take I80 and then jump on I580 southbound to Pleasanton. Exit 45 onto Hopyard Road, which will take you to the venue. From San Jose, drive on Hw 680 north and exit onto Bernal Ave in Pleasanton.
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City Bus Lines
If you are in Pleasanton, Bus Routes 53 and 8 make stops near the establishment. From Livermore, take Bus Route 10R. From San Ramon, take Bus Route 97X and then 54 to get there. Altamont Corridor Express provides a direct route from Fremont.
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Airport Shuttle
The nearest airport is Pleasanton Municipal Airport, but it only serves charter flights. For commercial flights, you will have to fly to Oakland Airport. Although Alameda County provides shuttle services to bus and train stations, they don’t have one to-and-from the airport.
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Parking
You can use several parking lots throughout the facility. The one closest to the track is Parking Lot Q. You can access it via Gate 12 from Valley Avenue. Remember to check ticket prices for entering the fairgrounds.
About Alameda County Fair Hotel
The Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack is one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the US, built by the Bernal family in 1858, and is considered the birthplace of horse racing in California. The other two tracks are Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, built in the 1830s, and the Fair Grounds Race Course, built in 1837. The Pleasanton track changed owners many times until it was sold to Alameda County in 1940.
The Alameda County Fair itself only started in 1912, with pari-mutuel betting being legalized in California in 1933. Currently, the track also doubles as a golf course, and will host the Golden State Racing events in October 2024 after the closure of Golden Gate Fields.
Alameda County Fair Amenities
Aside from the OTB, the fairgrounds have many other amenities, even when there is no fair. For example, there's a driving range, a 9-hole golf course, and an equestrian center for animal exhibitions. You can find other events throughout the year, including outdoor car exhibitions and drive-in concerts.
When it comes to dining, you can also find a few great restaurants like the Turf Club Café or the Starting Gate Grill. They serve burgers, salads, soups, and even daily specials. You can visit the Sky Lounge if you want to watch the races as you eat. If you're visiting with an RV, you can camp on the fairgrounds, which also have shower and laundry facilities.
| Accommodation | N/A Hotel Rooms |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Turf Club Cafe, Farmhouse, Sky Lounge, Starting Gate Grill, |
| Bars | Farmhouse, Sky Lounge, |
| Address | 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA |
|---|---|
| larry@calfairs.net | |
| Phone | 925-426-7600 |
| Website | alamedacountyfair.com |
| Social Networks | Facebook, Twitter Instagram YouTube |
Our Opinion About Alameda County Fair
In our opinion, the Pleasanton OTB at the Alameda County Fairgrounds provides a great experience for fans of horse racing. You can catch many popular events across the US and bet on live races at the Pleasanton racetrack. There are even bingo nights, and you can buy lottery tickets. Aside from that, there are plenty of other amenities and events throughout the year, so if you want more specific information, feel free to send us a message via our contact page.
FAQ
Before concluding our review of the Alameda County Fairgrounds OTB, we will answer all your pressing questions. You can learn a few more details about the establishment, such as its size, as well as what other gambling options are available. We will also provide information on the legal gambling age.
How big is Alameda County Fairgrounds?
While browsing through the Alameda County Fairgrounds details, we were impressed with the size of the event space. There are over 260 acres, with various event buildings and parking lots, so you can find many different events. The off-track betting facility is spacious, with a lounge and two restaurants.
How many slot machines are there at Alameda County Fairgrounds?
While the Alameda County Fairgrounds OTB does not have any casino games, it does have a few other gambling games. Every night on Tuesday and Saturday, you can participate in bingo games. These include jackpot games, and there are sometimes events on Thursdays. Additionally, you can buy lottery tickets for Mega Millions and Power Ball.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Alameda County Fairgrounds?
To place bets at the Pleasanton OTB, you need to be at least 18 years old according to California gambling laws. Bingo and lottery games are also available to 18-year-olds, so you have decent options. Note that to enter the OTB, you must pay a $5 admission fee unless you own a CHRB license.
Disclaimer: In regards to any changes related to the information of sportsbooks, we won't be held responsible if such differences occur. We advise our readers to double-check the official site of the betting location for most accurate information.