The essential guide to San Diego County’s nine gambling meccas
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Barona Resort & Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside. (619) 443-2300. barona.com.
A full-scale casino resort with a hotel, championship golf course and multiple dining venues. The property is now a nonsmoking facility, with designated smoking areas. Longtime favorite restaurants include the Barona Oaks Steakhouse and Sage Cafe. Convenient options in the food court are the Barona Coffee Co. for pastries, fresh cinnamon buns, sandwiches and salads, Homemade Soup for six varieties of eat-in or takeout soup, and the Creamery, serving premium ice cream, soft serve, shakes and sundaes.
Golden Acorn Casino
1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo. (866) 794-6244. goldenacorncasino.com.
A respite for truckers and the road weary, Golden Acorn is a compact-sized casino with a Travel Center and dining venues. The casino floor features slot machines and table games, including $3 blackjack and Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em. Golden Acorn’s 24/7, 3,000-square-foot Travel Center and rest stop offers clean showers and restrooms, laundry facilities, a TV lounge, Wi-Fi and other amenities.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. (760) 751-3100. harrahssocal.com.
A full-service casino resort with a hotel, luxury pool complex, a wellness spa and multiple dining venues. Gaming options include slots and table games. The hotel offers both regular rooms and suites. Steps away is the first tribal-owned craft brewery, SR76 Beerworks. Dive features three pools, eight hot tubs, a swim-up bar, a 400-foot lazy river and 23 cabanas. The luxurious, 11,000-square-foot spa features a full-service salon and barbershop. The Topgolf Swing Suite can be rented so players can practice golf, baseball, football and more.
Jamul Casino
14145 Campo Road, Jamul. (619) 315-2250. jamulcasinosd.com.
San Diego County’s newest casino offers a poker room that features tableside dining, full bar service, weekly poker tournaments and special events. The gaming floor has slot machines, tables and seven dining venues. Dining options include Emerald, Loft 94 and Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub (featuring Mr. Padre’s memorabilia). Prime Cut, the fine-dining steakhouse, has expansive mountain views and offers a Sunday lobster brunch for $59.95.
Pala Casino Spa & Resort
11154 Highway 76, Pala. (877) 946-7252. palacasino.com.
A full-scale casino resort, Pala features a 21-and-over pool complex, called Tourmaline, that has five heated pools, waterfalls, daybeds, hot tubs, 14 luxury cabanas and fire pits. The casino floor has slot and video poker machines, table games, a designated smoking area and a new central bar, Marquise. Highlights among the 10 eateries are the Bar Meets Grill restaurant and the expanded indoor/outdoor Luis Rey’s.
Casino Pauma
777 Pauma Reservation Road, Pauma Valley. (760) 742-2177. casinopauma.com.
A 40,000-square-foot casino in the heart of Pauma Valley, gaming options include slot machines and table games. Dining choices include a cafe with an all-day menu and the 24/7 Casino Pauma Deli and Pizzeria. Drinks are served at the Triple Seven Bar as well as the Red Parrot Lounge.
Sycuan Casino Resort
5469 Casino Way, El Cajon. (619) 445-6002. sycuan.com.
Sycuan has a 12-story luxury hotel tower with 302 rooms, including 57 suites. Retreat Pool & Cabanas has an adult pool with a swim-up bar, a family pool and a lazy river. The casino floor has been expanded by 60,000 square feet. Dining options include Viewpoint Neighborhood Kitchen, Double Down Grill, House of Fortune and many others, all of which offer dine-in and to-go options. There’s also the hip Elicit Bar & Lounge and swanky Bull and Bourbon steakhouse.
Valley View Casino & Hotel
16300 Nyemii Pass Road, Valley Center. (760) 291-5500. valleyviewcasino.com.
An adults-only boutique resort with a hotel, infinity pool and several restaurants. Gaming options include slot and video poker machines, including a VIP high-limit area; table games; and a large, newly expanded separate smoke-free area. The 108-room, 12-suite nonsmoking hotel — part of a $50 million expansion and renovation project — offers “spectacular panoramic mountain views.”
Viejas Casino & Resort
5000 Willows Road, Alpine. (619) 445-5400. viejas.com.
A full-scale casino resort with two hotels — the Forbes Four Star Viejas Hotel and the luxurious, all-suites, adults-only Willows Hotel & Spa — as well as an entertainment complex and an outlet shopping center with bowling and a skating rink. The casino floor includes slot machines, table games and a bingo and slot parlor. Notable restaurants include The Grove Steakhouse and Baron Long Bar & Grill.
