Lucky (and Local)

From San Diego to the Central Coast, Southern California boasts dozens of casinos. Many of these are expansive casino resorts offering not just gaming, but first-class entertainment, four-star dining and spectacular spa facilities, as well. Here are a few of our favorites.

VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT
5000 Willows Road, Alpine, 91901
(800) 847-6537
www.viejas.com

Located 35 miles east of San Diego, Viejas Casino & Resort is a dream destination for slotters, shoppers, sun-worshippers and foodies alike. With thousands of slot machines, table games like pai gow and blackjack, a poker room and a new high-stakes bingo room, plus off-track betting, its casino offers myriad ways to woo lady luck. Opened in March, the immaculate 128-room Viejas Hotel includes an impressive pool area.

SAN MANUEL INDIAN BINGO & CASINO
777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland, 92346
(800) 359-2464
www.sanmanuel.com

Nearly $2 billion dollars in cash and prizes have been won since San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino opened in 1986 — so it’s little wonder the place attracts more than 2 million guests annually. In addition to Vegas-style table games and 3,000 slot machines, San Manuel offers world-class eats and entertainment. Restaurants range from upscale fare at the Pines to casual eats at the Serrano Buffet. Upcoming entertainment includes Keith Sweat (June 27) and a “King of the Cage” mixed martial arts competition (July 11). July 20 to 21 is San Manuel’s Million Dollar Bingo Weekend.

SPA RESORT CASINO
401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs, 92262
(888) 999-1995
www.sparesortcasino.com

Nestled in the center of Palm Springs, Spa Resort Casino is based around the natural springs for which the city is named. These hot mineral waters feed the resort’s various outdoor pools and feature prominently in many of its spa’s pampering treatments. Across the street from the retro-chic 228-room hotel is its 24-hour casino and an array of eateries, including the famously affordable Oasis Buffet. Guest rooms here are unusually large and Spa Resort Casino retains a boutique-y feel rare in such a well-appointed property.

PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO
45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, 92592
(877) 711-2WIN
www.pechanga.com

Featuring California’s largest casino, Pechanga adds bingo to its stellar gaming lineup with a July 4 to 7 event featuring over $155,000 in payouts and prizes. With 517 airy guest rooms and suites, the resort has earned the AAA Four Diamond rating every year since opening in 2002. In addition to fine shopping (including the likes of Bulova and DKNY) and dining (from Asian to American, Mexican to Italian), Pechanga is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding Temecula Valley.

MORONGO CASINO RESORT & SPA
49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, 92230
(888) MORONGO
www.morongocasinoresort.com

An I-10 landmark thanks to its 330-foot casino tower (the Inland Empire’s tallest building), Morongo Casino Resort & Spa has recently added the 36-hole Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon to its many attractions. Its décor might be retro hip, but Morongo’s casino boasts 2,600 state-of-the-art slots, 60 table games and a private 13-table poker room while retaining warm personal service. The sandy-beached (and heated!) Oasis Pool and lazy river offer pseudo-tropical escapism less than two hours from downtown L.A.

CHUMASH CASINO RESORT
3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez, 93460
(800) CHUMASH
www.chumashcasino.com

This handsome 190,000-square-foot complex brings 24-hour gaming, live entertainment, dining and a AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel and spa to the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. Featuring quality comfort food in the Chumash Café, all-you-can-eat indulgence at the Creekside Buffet and fine fare at the Willows restaurant and lounge, Chumash is a food-lover’s heaven. Entertainers at Chumash this summer include legendary rapper MC Hammer (June 20) and raucous rocker Ted Nugent (July 18).

HARRAH’S RINCON CASINO AND RESORT
777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center, 92082
(760) 751-3100
www.harrahsrincon.com

Harrah’s Rincon will complete the first phase of a $160 million expansion when its new pool area debuts on July 13. The expansion includes a renovated main pool, a new lazy river and what the resort claims will be SoCal’s only swim-up bar. Dive Dayclub, another new addition, kicks off with Adult Swim Saturdays, a Las Vegas-inspired 21-and-up party featuring live deejays every week through September. ’Ritas Cantina, an indoor-outdoor Mexican restaurant serving 20 different margaritas, will open simultaneously. The resort’s new 403-room hotel tower is expected to open by the middle of next year.

FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO
84-245 Indio Springs Drive, Indio, 92203
(800) 827-2946
www.fantasyspringsresort.com

Operated by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Fantasy Springs offers not only a 100,000-square-foot casino, 250 luxurious guest rooms and suites, and seven fine restaurants, but also an 18-hole Clive Clark-designed championship golf course. Upcoming entertainment at the resort’s 3,500-seat Special Events Center includes KC and the Sunshine Band with the Village People (July 6) and Diana Ross (Aug. 2).

AGUA CALIENTE CASINO RESORT SPA
32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, 92270
(888) 999-1995
www.hotwatercasino.com

Truly a desert oasis, Agua Caliente features deluxe guest rooms with sunken tubs and bathroom TVs, fully loaded cabanas around the pool and a lush “backyard” area, home to the deejay-driven Caliente Pool Party, which features waterside blackjack and beer pong every Friday night. The Show, where classic rock supergroup Bad Company performs on June 15, is the resort’s masterfully designed 2,000-capacity concert venue. Agua Caliente’s casino offers both live poker and what’s billed as “the loosest video poker in town.”

PALA CASINO SPA & RESORT
11154 California 76, Pala, 92059
(877) WIN-PALA
www.palacasino.com

Tucked into the breathtaking Palomar Mountains in northern San Diego County, Pala is notable for its accommodating staff and immaculate casino. Winner of the AAA Four Diamond award for a decade straight, this elegant property delivers round-the-clock relaxation and revelry, with over 500 guest rooms (including 82 Jacuzzi-equipped suites), 2,000 slot machines, seemingly endless game tables and an 11-table poker room.

—Paul Rogers, Brand Publishing Writer