Page 10 - August 2002 • Southern California Gaming Guide

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
by Billie Lee Bartell
Southern California is on the map for the latest evolution in California tribal gaming—the luxurious casino resort. Over 1500 luxury accommodations in Southern California await the resort gamer. This de ning moment moves
several local tribal casinos into travel destinations, attracting guests and players from near and far. Will you want to stay and play? We bet you will!
The new casino resorts have used a Vegas blueprint: glitzy casinos, excellent and varied cuisine restaurants, exciting entertainment, world-class accommodations and outstanding resort amenities. A two-night stay at these resorts will deliver a fun, unique and (if you’re lucky) possibly rewarding experience.
Here is the lowdown on Southern California’s casino resorts—the brand new, the unique, the recreational, and a “coming attraction” of a new fabulous themed casino resort.
The Biggest Native American Casino Resort West of the Mississippi
The new Pechanga Resort & Casino is the biggest tribal casino resort in the western United States (west of the Mississippi, it’s said). With its magni cent entertain- ment complex and grand casino, Pechanga is the young western cousin to the biggest tribal casino resorts in the world: Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
There is now no doubt that “If you build it, they will come,” for on opening night, it was reported that close to
40,000 people from all over the Southwest drove to southern Riverside County to have a rst look at the awesome $262 mil- lion, one million sq. ft. resort and casino.
Off I-15 in Temecula, Pechanga is a direct one-hour shot from Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and a
45-minute drive from San Diego. The Temecula area, known for its great wineries, and annual hot-air balloon festival, is home to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians’ 4500-acre reservation. In addition to the obvious draw of California casino-goers, the resort will surely attract con- ventioneers and tourists from all over the U.S.
The 14-story casino resort includes a 522-room and luxury suite hotel, a 9,500-sq.-ft. casino with 2,000 slot machines, 86 table games,
Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort in San Diego County boasts a beautiful pool and luxury accommodations.
shopping mall in the future. You can’t miss with a stay at Pechanga Resort & Casino. Look for special week- day Internet rates.
Vegas in Northern San Diego County
Bringing the glamour and radiance of a Vegas veteran, the new $125 million Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort opens on August 8th in northern San Diego County. The 180,000-sq.-ft. facility includes a 200-room luxury resort, pool and exercise facility, a 45,000 sq. ft, casino, six res- taurants, an entertainment lounge and a 10,000 sq. ft. special events center.
Nestled in picturesque Valley Center, Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort is an hour from downtown San Diego, about an hour plus from Riverside County and two hours plus from Los Angeles.
Owned by the Rincon San Luiseño Band of Mission Indians and managed by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Harrah’s San Diego (as it is called) has a head start in attracting players because of its well-known casino brand. Harrah’s is one of the biggest casino operators in the world, and a leader in customer service, with its innovative player’s club. One of the perks of playing at Harrah’s Rincon is that you will accrue points in a cumulative player’s club for all Harrah’s casinos around the country (including Harveys, Rio and Showboat). That means one card for use in all Harrahs casinos.
Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula includes an RV park, convenience store, as well as headlining entertainment, Broadway musicals, boxing and sporting events.
an 850-seat bingo center, six themed restaurants and a buffet, two bars and two lounges, a 1,200-seat state-of-the-art theater, and a 24,000-square-foot ball- room and conference center. Theater coming attractions include Broadway musicals, headlining star concerts and boxing.
The complex’s interior combines nature-inspired motifs of waterfalls and trees in its dramatic atrium. The tribe has plans for a golf course and a
Page 10 AUGUST 2002