SAN DIEGO

Visiting Viejas

What do you look for when planning a vacation? Entertainment? Spa Day? Fabulous eateries? Kid free areas but also kid friendly? Well, we have the perfect spot for you! Viejas Casino & Resort offers all of these amazing features, located just thirty minutes east of San Diego in Alpine. Viejas is the ultimate adult getaway with an ideal mix of relaxation and recreation.

Viejas Casino & Resort is split into two sections, adult-only and family friendly. This concept allows for hotel-goers to choose how they want to spend their vacation. Bring the kiddos along for a stay at Viejas, or opt for 21+ fun and stay at Willows Hotel & Spa. Both sides have their own pools, fitness centers, fire pits and business centers.

Willows Hotel & Spa is San Diego’s newest adult-only hotel. One benefit of staying in Willows is that all 159 rooms are VIP suites. The amenities alone make for an incredible stay. Willows offers all the basic hotel services, while including fun features like a pillow menu and Vitamin C-infused showers. Willows also has a saltwater pool where you won’t find any kids splashing you…only rowdy adults. There are plenty of chairs to lounge on while indulging in poolside services…like massages or margaritas.

The Willows side has the wonderful Willows Spa. This upscale spa is top-of-the-line with a private saltwater pool, cabanas, hair and nail salon, a 24-hour fitness center, salt saunas and steam rooms. Spa guests are pampered throughout their visit with refreshing fruit-infused water, snacks and constant assistance from spa attendants. Spa guests are able to enjoy massages, facials, hair and nail treatments and waxing – meeting all the requirements for a relaxing day. They offer a variety of massages ranging from Hot Stone to Sport, as well as an Express Massage for those that want to get back to gaming.

On the other side of the hotel lies Viejas. Viejas is the original hotel that gave life to Viejas Casino & Resort. Viejas has 237 rooms including 34 VIP suites. This child-friendly side allows families to vacation together while still reaping all the fun adult benefits. Take the kiddos to the pool, bring a nanny and go gamble your heart out.

The casino is what separates Viejas and Willows. The Casino boasts over 2,500 slot machines, with 1,000 brand new penny slots that have gotten rave reviews. The casino is equipped with eight different table games. From Mystery Card Roulette to Craps to Blackjack, there is something for everyone. Live horse racing can be watched in the Off Track Betting Area and Viewing Lounge.

When it comes to activities for the children there are plenty of options– there is a bowling alley, an arcade and a roller rink. Viejas Rink just so happens to be Southern California’s largest outdoor roller and ice-skating rink. Impressive, right? All of this kid-friendly fun can be found at the Viejas Outlets, a short walk from the Casino.

Viejas Outlets is an outdoor shopping center that caters to every age. OshKosh B’ Gosh, Michael Kors, Vans, Nike and Daniel’s Jewelers are just some of many well-known brands Viejas Outlets has to offer. The outdoor center pays tribute to the history of the land with life-like sculptures and plaques. Viejas Bingo and Slot Parlor is also located within the Viejas Outlets and offers gamblers 100 new slot machines and a Bingo Snack Bar.

There are two different concert venues in Viejas. Concerts in the Park is the outdoor venue and Oak Ballroom Concerts is the indoor venue. Both venues host popular bands and shows.

The food at Viejas Casino & Resort is seriously impressive. There are six different spots to chow down.

For the ultimate romantic date The Grove Steakhouse is the place to be. The ambiance, incredible servers, vast wine list and food are all exquisite. Find anything from land to sea, and don’t forget dessert! Grove’s signature dish is a New York Strip and Lobster. Hungry yet?

Locale Kitchen & Lounge offers California cuisine with a menu ranging from Spicy Lamb Bolognese to Buttermilk Fried Chicken to Roasted Skuna Bay Salmon. Finish the night off with a Butterscotch Budino Parfait.

The Ginger Noodle Bar offers affordable Asian cuisine and is situated right near the casino floor, making for a great pit stop. Their signature dish is the Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs.

The Buffet at Viejas is a must-try. The difference between this buffet compared to most is their quality food and variety. The Buffet has major culinary influence from Mexico, Italy and Asia. Another benefit of the buffet is unlimited beer, wine and champagne. The final seller for this buffet is the freshly squeezed juice. Eat lasagna and drink a green juice— it’s called balance.

The Café at Viejas is open around the clock and serves up breakfast and lunch from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. The breakfast/lunch menu has everything from a Vegetarian Omelet to Chicken Fried Steak to Fish Tacos to Mongolian Beef. The dinner and late night menus boast Grilled Chicken Artichoke Flat Bread, Viejas Burger, Cobb Salad, Shrimp Scampi and many more tasty treats. The Café features a Viejas Bloody Mary, Mimosa and Sangria, along with a hefty wine and beer list.

Daily Roast Coffee House is the ideal grab-and-go spot for the busy bee. This joint offers Starbucks products, but not the full menu. They do, however, offer a variety of tasty pastries. Bon Appétit!

There are four different bars to get your sip on. The Lobby Bar, V Lounge, The Grove Bar and The Pool Bar. The V Lounge offers live music and dancing during the weekend. Mingle and wiggle with a cocktail in hand. The Pool Bar is a great outside option if you want to feel the SoCal warmth cozied up near the fire pits.

For SoCal explorers that want a family-friendly Vegas-style vacation, Viejas Casino & Resort is the place to go. Viejas offers similar aspects of Las Vegas without the hassle of promoters and “dancers.” Bring the kids and enjoy the Viejas side or cuddle up with your honey in Willows. No matter what side you choose, take advantage of the impeccable dining, fabulous shopping center, spa treatments, gaming and more at Viejas Casino & Resort.

Visiting Viejas

by: Caitlin Elizabeth Pieh

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P.O. Box 1435 | Thousand Oaks | CA | 91360

805-849-7014

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