Valley Center, Pauma, Pala and Palomar
Mountain are in the middle of what might almost be called “The
New Gold Rush,” of casinos, that is.
This area has more Indian casinos than any other community in the country.
Each has its own cachet and charm, and each has its fans. Each is set
amidst vistas of unique natural and agricultural beauty.
Valley View Casino, overlooking the fierce natural beauty of Hellhole
Canyon, and visible from much of the eastern part of Valley Center,
is undergoing a dramatic renovation where it will greatly increase the
size of its gaming floor, and introduce several new restaurants.
Its already very popular for the Market Buffet, which is overseen by
award-winning Chef Josef Pilz, but it will soon expand the offerings
to include a new steakhouse and lounge and special events center, all
scheduled to open in the spring of 2007.
It recently opened its new parking garage, which was the first milestone
of Valley View Casino’s $114 million expansion project which includes
adding over 60,000 square feet of increased gaming and dining space,
along with five new restaurants, three new bars, a special events center
and increased slots and table games.
The first phase of the casino’s expansion, including a new steakhouse
and lounge and special events center is scheduled for a grand opening
in the spring of 2007.
About four miles away is Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort, which
includes a 21-story hotel, a top-notch buffet, several restaurants such
as Fiore steakhouse, a Chinese noodle eatery and an all-night cafe.
There’s also a world-class spa.
The 55,000 sq. ft. devoted to gaming includes 1,600 state-of-the-art
slots, 51 gaming tables and eight poker room tables. Games offered include
Rincon Craps, and Volcanic Bingo Roulette, Pai Gow, Blackjack, Baccarat
and Three Card Poker.
In the summer Harrah’s hosts a popular series of concerts that
last year included musical legends Tony Bennett and B.B. King.
The casino is also one of the host casinos along the way of the World
Series of Poker during February.
Further down the road is Casino Pauma, which is well-known for its low
cost breakfasts and two dollar Blackjack games.
“The Player’s Oasis,” although a bit smaller than
some of the other area gaming palaces (35,000 sq. ft), has over 1,000
slot machines and 20 table games that offer Blackjack, Poker and Pai-Gow
Poker. It is located on the Pauma Indian Reservation, just off Hwy 76.
It will soon become known for a whole lot more. It recently partnered
with Mashantucket Pequots, a Connecticut tribe that owns Foxwoods, the
largest casino in the world, to build a signature casino and resort
at the current Casino Pauma site.
In July of 2006 the tribes announced that they will build a $300 million
casino resort that will have at least 2,000 slot machines. This will
replace the existing casino on Pauma Reservation. It is planned to open
in the spring of 2009.
Pala Casino is also one of the largest and most successful casinos in
the region. Perched as it is near the intersecting of Hwy 76 and Interstate
15, the casino and hotel have no trouble attracting visitors.
The casino is known both for the high quality of its restaurants (The
Oak Room, Pala Café, The Terrace Buffet, Noodles, The Deli, Coffee
n' More, Mama's Cucina Italiana and the Poolside Café & Bar),
but also for the high quality of its Las Vegas quality entertainment,
which has included such names as George Carlin, Harvey Korman and Tim
Conway, Willie Nelson, Huey Lewis and the News.
Pala has 2,250 state-of-the-art slot machines, 85 table games, eight
restaurants, two lounges with live entertainment daily, and a 2,000
seat Pala Events Center. Its four-diamond hotel has 507 deluxe rooms
and suites complete with mini-bars, 27" and 36" TVs high speed
internet access and luxury bathrooms.
You can get a massage, shop, get in shape at the gym, and if you are
in the mood, set out to explore area golf courses and wineries.
The La Jolla Indian Reservation is also planning a 35,000 sq. ft. casino,
with 500 slot machines and a 5,000 square-foot restaurant, and
150-room hotel.
No matter which gaming palaces you decide to spend your time at, it’s
really no gamble, you’re sure to have a good time.
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