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AyecarumbaThanks for this post from:
Thank you for sharing your interesting notes, Ayecarumba!
For a family of 6 in a van, we would be ok with a 2 hr drive +/- 30 min. The drive est from LA to Las Vegas is about 4 hr 15 min.
The 'family' (all adults) outing would probably feel more comfortable with less 'sketchier' neighborhoods. We would most enjoy (a) blackjack 3:2; (b) VP; (c) slots in that order.
For a family of 6 in a van, we would be ok with a 2 hr drive +/- 30 min. The drive est from LA to Las Vegas is about 4 hr 15 min.
The 'family' (all adults) outing would probably feel more comfortable with less 'sketchier' neighborhoods. We would most enjoy (a) blackjack 3:2; (b) VP; (c) slots in that order.
Heading east to Palm Springs way would probably be best. There are a number of large and small tribal joints with slots and video poker to pick from in the area, about 90 - 120 minutes away. Morongo is even located next to a large outlet shopping center.
Heading way south will get you to large tribal places, Pechanga and Pala. The best Blackjack rules may be at Barona, but it is pushing your 2 hr. drive time to get to these places. Also out that way (closer to San Diego than Los Angeles), is Valley View, which is a smaller place, but is distinguished by their All You Can Eat LOBSTER buffet. Note that these casinos subsidize bus service from various locations in L.A., including Chinatown, so you may be able to just catch a ride instead of driving.
The Wizard did a survey of Blackjack rules (now a bit dated) in Southern California. It may still be on the WoO site.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
bobbartop
Heading east to Palm Springs way would probably be best. There are a number of large and small tribal joints with slots and video poker to pick from in the area, about 90 - 120 minutes away. Morongo is even located next to a large outlet shopping center.
Heading way south will get you to large tribal places, Pechanga and Pala. The best Blackjack rules may be at Barona, but it is pushing your 2 hr. drive time to get to these places. Also out that way (closer to San Diego than Los Angeles), is Valley View, which is a smaller place, but is distinguished by their All You Can Eat LOBSTER buffet. Note that these casinos subsidize bus service from various locations in L.A., including Chinatown, so you may be able to just catch a ride instead of driving.
The Wizard did a survey of Blackjack rules (now a bit dated) in Southern California. It may still be on the WoO site.
Heading way south will get you to large tribal places, Pechanga and Pala. The best Blackjack rules may be at Barona, but it is pushing your 2 hr. drive time to get to these places. Also out that way (closer to San Diego than Los Angeles), is Valley View, which is a smaller place, but is distinguished by their All You Can Eat LOBSTER buffet. Note that these casinos subsidize bus service from various locations in L.A., including Chinatown, so you may be able to just catch a ride instead of driving.
The Wizard did a survey of Blackjack rules (now a bit dated) in Southern California. It may still be on the WoO site.
Good advice!Ayecarumba
Indian Casinos Los Angeles Area
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The gentleman who mentioned a 2-3/4 hour drive was talking about Viejas. I've been there many years ago and that is east of San Diego. In other words, that's essentially the furthest of any of the Southern Indian joints. If you can go to Viejas, you can go to any of them. Barona is highly rated. So is Pechanga.
Others have spoken about 'sketcy' neighborhoods, they're probably thinking of Hollywood Park, maybe even Gardena, which would be Normandie and Hustler. I have never thought of Gardena as sketchy. Inglewood, yes, but it never bothered me because I wasn't going too far from the track. Certainly you don't want to park the van in a neighborhood near Hollypark and think the family is going to break out the blankets and go fishing. Every single piece of real estate in that area belongs to some gang. Stay near the casinos and once you go away from Los Angeles there won't be any sketchy neighborhoods. After spending 2/3 of my life there I know a lot of good restaurants in LA. Not fancy, just good. Good and ethnic. Delicious. But you're going to gamble, not eat. How long are you going to be there? A week? Not enough time. Plan your second trip longer.
Others have spoken about 'sketcy' neighborhoods, they're probably thinking of Hollywood Park, maybe even Gardena, which would be Normandie and Hustler. I have never thought of Gardena as sketchy. Inglewood, yes, but it never bothered me because I wasn't going too far from the track. Certainly you don't want to park the van in a neighborhood near Hollypark and think the family is going to break out the blankets and go fishing. Every single piece of real estate in that area belongs to some gang. Stay near the casinos and once you go away from Los Angeles there won't be any sketchy neighborhoods. After spending 2/3 of my life there I know a lot of good restaurants in LA. Not fancy, just good. Good and ethnic. Delicious. But you're going to gamble, not eat. How long are you going to be there? A week? Not enough time. Plan your second trip longer.
The Normandie is no more. It was bought out by Hustler founder Larry Flynt, and has been recast as 'Lucky Lady'. With effectively no competition in the South Bay of Los Angeles, It is sad for players.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
bobbartop
The Normandie is no more. It was bought out by Hustler founder Larry Flynt, and has been recast as 'Lucky Lady'. With effectively no competition in the South Bay of Los Angeles, It is sad for players.
It will always be the Normandie to me. Actually, I forgot that Flynt changed the name. I have been to Hustler twice. Compared to Normandie I have put in thousands of hours over the years, even back to when they were on Western Ave. I dunno, I just don't like Larry Flynt. Saying his name makes me want to take a shower. He's a pig.Rigondeaux
Los Angeles Casino Hotel
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Just to further dampen your day, there's no more live horse racing at Hollywood Park. It opened in 1938 and just closed three years ago. So much rich history there. I practically grew up at that track. Sad.
edit: There's not even a track there now, they tore it up.
edit: There's not even a track there now, they tore it up.
Even worse. I just looked up Soul Burger, the place on prairie that had one of the 5 best burgers I've ever tasted. It's closed too. I would seriously go to HPC just to stop there. Oh well.
I agree, if you're going to make a drive, Palm Springs might be the way to go. It's a pleasant place to visit with good places to eat, if that's a factor.bobbartop
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Even worse. I just looked up Soul Burger, the place on prairie that had one of the 5 best burgers I've ever tasted. It's closed too. I would seriously go to HPC just to stop there. Oh well.
There were a couple very good Japanese curry houses in the area. One on Artesia, I think one on Sawtelle. After playing poker, I would go stuff myself with Japanese curry. And a BIG bottle of Kirin beer. I could hardly move.mamat
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Depending on where you are visiting in the Los Angeles area (and the time of day / traffic patterns), Pechanga, Morongo, San Manuel, or Chumash (Santa Ynez, near Santa Barbara) may be the closest 'big' casino. Barona is also one of the 'big 5' (25 min from downtown San Diego & beaches, but furthest from Los Angeles County).
If you sleep at Fantasy one night, the next day you can tour 12-14 of the 19 casinos, and end up at Viejas to sleep on the second night.
However, I would suggest breaking into 4 day-trips:
1) Visit Chumash driving up the California coast from Santa Monica/Mailbu. Santa Barbara is a foodie town, with my favorite quesadilla in the world (for $1.65). Chumash casino hotel is very pricey (unless you are a heavy player), so a nearby hotel on Orbitz might be good to stay overnight.
2) Visit San Manuel & the 'Palm Springs 6'. I like Agua, but it may be pricey.
3) Visit 'Pala 5'. Harrahs is very empty in December. Some days are $105 (including tax) on-line.
4) Visit 'Barona Triangle' and stay overnight at Barona ($139 weekdays, $215 weekends, including tax).
From Barona, you can spend the next day visiting Downtown San Diego, and drive up the coast, visiting 15-30 major beaches on your way back to Malibu.
Possibly a 2-3 day trip to drive the western Sierras to see Yosemite & the giant trees in Sequoia National Forest on your next visit
5) Visit 'Fresno 3'.
------
Southern California has 19 Indian casinos with slot machines & tables (not just card rooms). 9 casinos have hotels - all 4* except Fantasy & Pala (both 3*).
Travel times (with no traffic):
San Manuel --25 min--> Morongo --20 min--> Spa Resort --10 min--> Agua Caliente --15 min--> Fantasy Springs or Spotlight 29 --15 min--> Augustine
(The 'Palm Springs 6') Morongo, Agua, & Fantasy (3*) have hotels. Agua is my favorite.
Morongo --35-40 min--> Soboba --35-40 min--> Pechanga
(Soboba & Cahuilla are in between Palm Springs and the Pala area)
San Manuel --55 min--> Pechanga --12 min--> Pala --8 min--> Pauma --5 min--> Harrahs SoCal --10 min--> Valley View
Morongo --55 min--> Pechanga
Agua Caliente --1 hr 15 min--> Pechanga (via back roads, which runs you by Cahuilla)
(The 'Pala 5') All except Pauma have hotels. Harrahs has the most comfortable beds in the area (and 13-14 types of suites). Pala is a 3*.
Valley View --45 min--> Barona --25-30 min--> Viejas (or Sycuan or Jamul or Alamo) --20 min--> Acorn
Pechanga --1 hr--> Barona
(The 'Barona Triangle' ...'Barona 6' if you include the smaller casinos) Barona & Viejas have hotels. Barona is my favorite casino in this area.
These casinos are the closest to Downtown San Diego. With the exception of Acorn, they are 25-30 min away (1 hr - 1hr 15 min during rush hour). If you want to visit beaches, they are about 25-35 min away.
-------------------------
Central California area has 4 large casinos (Distances from Santa Monica, where I used to live). 3 have hotels (all 4*). Table Mountain does not.
Santa Monica --2 hr --> Chumash (Santa Barbara)
Santa Monica --3 hr --> Tachi (Lemoore) --50 min--> Table Mountain (Friant) --25 min--> Chukchansi (Coarsegold)
(Fresno area also includes three smaller casinos).
Chuckchansi has great hotel rooms, and is 30-45 min from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park (a little far away to stay when hiking Yosemite, but nice the day before or day after a visit).
If you sleep at Fantasy one night, the next day you can tour 12-14 of the 19 casinos, and end up at Viejas to sleep on the second night.
However, I would suggest breaking into 4 day-trips:
1) Visit Chumash driving up the California coast from Santa Monica/Mailbu. Santa Barbara is a foodie town, with my favorite quesadilla in the world (for $1.65). Chumash casino hotel is very pricey (unless you are a heavy player), so a nearby hotel on Orbitz might be good to stay overnight.
2) Visit San Manuel & the 'Palm Springs 6'. I like Agua, but it may be pricey.
3) Visit 'Pala 5'. Harrahs is very empty in December. Some days are $105 (including tax) on-line.
4) Visit 'Barona Triangle' and stay overnight at Barona ($139 weekdays, $215 weekends, including tax).
From Barona, you can spend the next day visiting Downtown San Diego, and drive up the coast, visiting 15-30 major beaches on your way back to Malibu.
Possibly a 2-3 day trip to drive the western Sierras to see Yosemite & the giant trees in Sequoia National Forest on your next visit
5) Visit 'Fresno 3'.
------
Southern California has 19 Indian casinos with slot machines & tables (not just card rooms). 9 casinos have hotels - all 4* except Fantasy & Pala (both 3*).
Travel times (with no traffic):
San Manuel --25 min--> Morongo --20 min--> Spa Resort --10 min--> Agua Caliente --15 min--> Fantasy Springs or Spotlight 29 --15 min--> Augustine
(The 'Palm Springs 6') Morongo, Agua, & Fantasy (3*) have hotels. Agua is my favorite.
Morongo --35-40 min--> Soboba --35-40 min--> Pechanga
(Soboba & Cahuilla are in between Palm Springs and the Pala area)
San Manuel --55 min--> Pechanga --12 min--> Pala --8 min--> Pauma --5 min--> Harrahs SoCal --10 min--> Valley View
Morongo --55 min--> Pechanga
Agua Caliente --1 hr 15 min--> Pechanga (via back roads, which runs you by Cahuilla)
(The 'Pala 5') All except Pauma have hotels. Harrahs has the most comfortable beds in the area (and 13-14 types of suites). Pala is a 3*.
Valley View --45 min--> Barona --25-30 min--> Viejas (or Sycuan or Jamul or Alamo) --20 min--> Acorn
Pechanga --1 hr--> Barona
(The 'Barona Triangle' ...'Barona 6' if you include the smaller casinos) Barona & Viejas have hotels. Barona is my favorite casino in this area.
These casinos are the closest to Downtown San Diego. With the exception of Acorn, they are 25-30 min away (1 hr - 1hr 15 min during rush hour). If you want to visit beaches, they are about 25-35 min away.
-------------------------
Central California area has 4 large casinos (Distances from Santa Monica, where I used to live). 3 have hotels (all 4*). Table Mountain does not.
Santa Monica --2 hr --> Chumash (Santa Barbara)
Santa Monica --3 hr --> Tachi (Lemoore) --50 min--> Table Mountain (Friant) --25 min--> Chukchansi (Coarsegold)
(Fresno area also includes three smaller casinos).
Chuckchansi has great hotel rooms, and is 30-45 min from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park (a little far away to stay when hiking Yosemite, but nice the day before or day after a visit).
LostWages
' . . . Southern California has 19 Indian casinos with . . . 'Mamat! Wow! I am wondering if you used to own or work a travel agency of if you've worked with companies like TripAdvisor. Here I was ready with pencil and paper to take some notes, but I'll have to print out all 2 pages of your reply!
Not complaining, closer to fainting at the depth and quality of your unexpected and well summarized recommendations and reviews.
In our family group, we are all foodies, and relish Mexican foods, especially quesadilla; we are all low rollers ($5 min bets at BJ, $0.25c (MAX BET $1.25) VP, and we enjoy luxury even if we can't always afford it. We should have no problem making selections from the collection of casinos you've described.
Not sure what else to say; we'll have to have a family council now!
Eat real food . . . and you won't need medicine (or a lot less!)
LostWages
The gentleman who mentioned a 2-3/4 hour drive was talking about Viejas. I've been there many years ago and that is east of San Diego. In other words, that's essentially the furthest of any of the Southern Indian joints. If you can go to Viejas, you can go to any of them. Barona is highly rated. So is Pechanga.
Others have spoken about 'sketcy' neighborhoods, they're probably thinking of Hollywood Park, maybe even Gardena, which would be Normandie and Hustler. I have never thought of Gardena as sketchy. Inglewood, yes, but it never bothered me because I wasn't going too far from the track. Certainly you don't want to park the van in a neighborhood near Hollypark and think the family is going to break out the blankets and go fishing. Every single piece of real estate in that area belongs to some gang. Stay near the casinos and once you go away from Los Angeles there won't be any sketchy neighborhoods. After spending 2/3 of my life there I know a lot of good restaurants in LA. Not fancy, just good. Good and ethnic. Delicious. But you're going to gamble, not eat. How long are you going to be there? A week? Not enough time. Plan your second trip longer.
Others have spoken about 'sketcy' neighborhoods, they're probably thinking of Hollywood Park, maybe even Gardena, which would be Normandie and Hustler. I have never thought of Gardena as sketchy. Inglewood, yes, but it never bothered me because I wasn't going too far from the track. Certainly you don't want to park the van in a neighborhood near Hollypark and think the family is going to break out the blankets and go fishing. Every single piece of real estate in that area belongs to some gang. Stay near the casinos and once you go away from Los Angeles there won't be any sketchy neighborhoods. After spending 2/3 of my life there I know a lot of good restaurants in LA. Not fancy, just good. Good and ethnic. Delicious. But you're going to gamble, not eat. How long are you going to be there? A week? Not enough time. Plan your second trip longer.
Bobbartop,
You are a great example of why newbie's might feel more comfortable reaching out for their questions, looking for advice, or almost anything under the sun. I still consider myself a newbie, in the 'sponge' stage (soaking up good info, filtering out that which I don't want/need). But the WoO's forum is just the perfect place to explore and question! By next year, maybe I'll have accumulated some experience I can share like you did!
We would all be hard pressed to find your down to earth descriptions anywhere else except from the voice of experience.
Yeah, we'll consider Viejas, Barona, and Pechanga for sure.
Based on our recent last trip to Los Angeles, I agree, a week is not enough time. But 4 of the 6 family members are working; only my wife & I are retired.
If you've spent 2/3 of your life in LA, then we must have missed several good eating places on our last trip. Will you would consider sharing some names of places?That would be excellent. Perhaps your interest might lead you to see what WE liked, and then offer us new places to try on our next trip? Here's my blog:
http://wizardofvegas.com/member/lostwages/blog/#post1410
Eat real food . . . and you won't need medicine (or a lot less!)
LostWages
Heading east to Palm Springs way would probably be best. There are a number of large and small tribal joints with slots and video poker to pick from in the area, about 90 - 120 minutes away. Morongo is even located next to a large outlet shopping center.
Heading way south will get you to large tribal places, Pechanga and Pala. The best Blackjack rules may be at Barona, but it is pushing your 2 hr. drive time to get to these places. Also out that way (closer to San Diego than Los Angeles), is Valley View, which is a smaller place, but is distinguished by their All You Can Eat LOBSTER buffet. Note that these casinos subsidize bus service from various locations in L.A., including Chinatown, so you may be able to just catch a ride instead of driving.
The Wizard did a survey of Blackjack rules (now a bit dated) in Southern California. It may still be on the WoO site.
Heading way south will get you to large tribal places, Pechanga and Pala. The best Blackjack rules may be at Barona, but it is pushing your 2 hr. drive time to get to these places. Also out that way (closer to San Diego than Los Angeles), is Valley View, which is a smaller place, but is distinguished by their All You Can Eat LOBSTER buffet. Note that these casinos subsidize bus service from various locations in L.A., including Chinatown, so you may be able to just catch a ride instead of driving.
The Wizard did a survey of Blackjack rules (now a bit dated) in Southern California. It may still be on the WoO site.
If all 6 family members were seated at the 'Where shall we go?' council, I'm wondering who would be drooling the most with the sound of Valley View's EAT ALL YOU CAN LOBSTER (probably me!).
The bus service subsidy is attractive. I recall getting stuck in Denver, CO for an intense 5-day training. Luckily, Blackhawk had a bus service. I went everyday after class and took the last bus home at 10:00 pm. Memories!
Eat real food . . . and you won't need medicine (or a lot less!)
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