Page 56 - 2019 Travel Guide to California

CASINOS
BY MATT VILLANO
Places to Play
Las Vegas isn’t the only show out West
BARONA RESORT
& CASINO
The Barona Indian Reservation in
San Diego County, founded in 1932,
is home to the Barona Resort &
Casino, above, with its world-class
Barona Creek Golf Club. The
reservation is also home to the
Barona Museum, which houses
more than 2000 artifacts in
displays of handmade pottery, reed
baskets, paintings and arrowheads
that date back thousands of years.
In the olden days—the days of Frank
Sinatra and Bugsy Siegel—U.S. gamblers
looking for a date with Lady Luck had one
option: Las Vegas. Nowadays, with changes
to gambling laws in many states, it’s a safe
bet that bettors can throw down their cash
just about anywhere. Of all the states that
now offer gambling, the best (and most
plentiful) options are in California.
The Golden State has two choices for
people looking to place bets: Native Amer-
ican casinos, and card rooms (which are
glorified bars where gambling is legal, so
long as the house doesn’t win).
The Native American outposts tend to be
farther from major cities but offer nicer
digs. They have slots. They have table
games. They even have bingo. Many of
these wagering wonderlands are “Vegas-
style” resorts, complete with luxury hotels,
top-notch restaurants and indulgent spas.
A few of the properties even have their own
golf courses.
Card rooms are smaller, quieter and, in
many cases, more geared toward locals.
Games here are far less varied—in most
cases, as the name suggests, only card
games are available. The upside? Gam-
bling action is usually loose (and that’s a
good thing).
We’ve divided California’s gambling
scene into four distinct geographical
regions. Wherever you go, bet wisely, and
remember to stay within your means.
SHERRY V SMITH/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: CHUKCHANSI; RUSLAN GUZOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
54 2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA