Private race tracks in California

What to know about track clubs in California

California has two private members-only race track clubs on our list: The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, which is open and long established, and Elsinore Ring in Lake Elsinore, which has been announced but is not yet built.

The Thermal Club is the clearest example of the real-estate-led model anywhere in the country. Members typically buy a trackside villa or garage rather than pay a published initiation fee, and the widely cited figure of about $5.2 million is a reported all-in property cost, not a membership price. In exchange you get 5.1 miles of circuit across three configurable tracks and the best track-time availability of any club we rate. Elsinore Ring, in the Inland Empire southeast of Los Angeles, has been reported at around $300,000 for a founding membership on a planned 3.2-mile circuit.

Practical considerations for California: both facilities are inland desert or valley sites, which means excellent winter and spring driving and brutal summer heat — Thermal's season effectively runs October through May. Neither club is near San Francisco, so Northern California drivers still travel for members-only track access.

Common questions about California track clubs

How many private race track clubs are in California?

Two are on our list: The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, which is open, and Elsinore Ring in Lake Elsinore, which has been announced but is not yet open.

How much does The Thermal Club cost to join?

The Thermal Club does not publish a fee schedule. Membership is tied to buying a trackside villa or garage, and the often-quoted $5.2 million figure is a reported all-in property cost rather than an initiation fee. Contact the club for current terms.

Is there a private race track near Los Angeles?

Not open yet. Elsinore Ring in Lake Elsinore is the closest planned private club to Los Angeles. Today the nearest operating option is The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, roughly two hours east of LA.