Horse racing may be the Sport of Kings, but during Hollywood's golden era, it was equally popular with film celebrities, and one of the ritziest tracks stars visited to watch and bet on their favorite ponies was Santa Anita.

Designed in the art deco style by architect Gordon B. Kaufman, Santa Anita opened on Christmas day, 1934 near the town of Arcadia, a few miles east of Pasadena. The oldest racetrack in southern California, Santa Anita soon became a favorite spot for Hollywood celebs like Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, and MGM mogul, Louis B. Mayer, some of whom also owned horses that ran at the track.

Although there have been movements to close Santa Anita over the years so the land could be used for other purposes, the track survives to this day. The classy grandstand and grounds are worth a visit.