California was home to 58 Indian casinos with more than a dozen being planned or under construction in January 2010. Tribal casinos, like the state's 90 licensed card-room casinos, offer poker and banked card games such as blackjack and pai gow. But Native Americans have exclusive rights to offer slot machines—nearly 64,000 of them in early 2010.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians operates the largest casino in the state. The 188,000-square-foot gaming floor at Pechanga Resort & Casino contains more than 3,000 slot machines, 130 tables of banked games and a 54-table poker room. The property, about 60 miles northeast of San Diego, includes a 517-room luxury hotel, eight restaurants, a fast-food court, four entertainment venues and several gift shops. A 2008 property expansion added the 7,219-yard Journey at Pechanga championship golf course and the rebuilt Spa Pechanga.
Pechanga Resort & Casino
45000 Pechanga Parkway
Temecula, CA 92592
(909) 693-1819
pechanga.com
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians opened a bingo hall in 1986 on its reservation about six miles north of San Bernardino International Airport. The facility has grown into the third-largest Native American casino in the state with 3,000 slot machines, 130 gaming tables and a 2,000-seat bingo parlor. The Pines Steakhouse and Lounge, Serrano Buffet and SportsWatch Grill offer sitdown dining. Guests can also grab fast food at Tutu's Food Court or a quick snack at one of the two Snack Shack locations.
San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino
5797 N. Victoria Ave.
Highland, CA 92346-1763
(800) 359-2464
sanmanuel.com
Thunder Valley Casino features 2,400 slot machines and 98 gaming tables on the United Auburn Indian Community reservation about 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. The tribe planned to open a 15-story resort hotel and additional gaming space in summer 2010. The casino includes the fine-dining Austins Steakhouse and casual eateries Feast Buffet and Koi Palace. Thunder Valley offers free bus service to and from two Sacramento locations throughout the day.
Thunder Valley Casino
1200 Athens Ave.
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 408-7777
thundervalleyresort.com
