Pechanga Resort & Casino Commemorates First Anniversary

The face of gaming in Southern California changed just one year ago when the state's largest casino property opened its doors. Since then, Pechanga Resort & Casino has not looked back. Three months after Pechanga introduced its new Vegas-style resort, AAA awarded the 14-story, nearly 1 million-square-foot property with its Four Diamond distinction. And newspaper articles have made mention of Pechanga being one of California's most popular and successful casinos.

The story of Pechanga Resort & Casino can be equated to that of the phoenix. The casino operated prosperously for nearly seven years as the Pechanga Entertainment Center, housed in flat-roofed, modular buildings. Inside, the gaming areas looked like any other casino, with rich décor, slot machines, and table games. It did not, however, offer guests amenities such as hotel rooms, a workout facility, massage therapy, fine dining restaurants, and many other services guests expect from a top-caliber resort. In early June 2002, the doors to the Pechanga Entertainment Center closed forever, giving way to the far grander property that guests now know as Pechanga Resort & Casino.

As guests walk in the front entrance, they are met by cascading waterfalls and fountains, natural stonework reminiscent of Native American architecture, and a replica of the Great Oak tree, the largest known living oak in the United States. The 75,000 square foot casino offers 2,000 slot machines and 81 table games (blackjack, pai gow, Let-It-Ride, 3-card poker, and minibaccarat).

Pechanga also boasts a newly expanded 29-table poker room that is secluded from the noise and distraction of the casino floor. The poker room offers daily hold'em and Omaha eight-or-better tournaments, and Poker Manager Tony Covington will introduce the first of the End of the Month tournaments in July. A $10,000-guaranteed hold'em tournament will be held on Thursday, July 31, and a $6,000-guaranteed Omaha eight-or-better tournament will be held on Friday, Aug. 1. "Our poker room is a one-stop shop for players," said Covington. "We offer some of the most aggressive jackpots anywhere in our Omaha, hold'em, and stud games, with players being able to win as much as $40,000 on Fridays."

In April, the property's new Bingo Pavilion was opened in a 20,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the main resort. The Pavilion seats 700 players and is the first property to utilize the most technologically advanced electronic bingo system in the country.

Back at the main building, guests have their pick of amenities. The resort offers 522 luxurious rooms and suites with views of the lush Temecula Valley or the San Jacinto mountains. An outdoor heated pool and sun deck are available, and the resort's health club offers massage and various other spa services.

Pechanga Resort & Casino is quickly becoming known in the Southern California region for its quality of restaurants. There are seven exceptional choices for guests to enjoy. A master chef oversees the three fine dining establishments – Paisano's for Italian cuisine, The Seafood Grotto, featuring an interactive sushi bar, and the Great Oak Steakhouse, winner of Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence." Pan-Asian cuisine is served in a casual setting at Blazing Noodles, the casino's buffet offers an international array of selections, and the Pechanga Café serves up hearty American favorites 24 hours a day. The Snack Bar allows casino guests to eat a "quick bite" without having to stray too far from the gaming action. Hotel guests can also take advantage of 24-hour room service.

Pechanga's 1,200-seat showroom has hosted headliners such as Julio Iglesias, The Beach Boys, Dana Carvey, Wynona, and Broadway productions of Grease, Amadeus, and more. The popular Casino Cabaret features free nightly entertainment by some of Southern California's most talented bands. Guests are invited to get up and dance, or sit back and enjoy their favorite cocktails. Guests can take the elevator to the top and experience the chic art-deco style of the Eagle's Nest Lounge. Live piano music plus beautiful views from this top-floor lounge hit the high points.

As Pechanga Resort & Casino continues to set a high standard for gaming resort properties in Southern California, it will continue to evolve. The public will want to look to Pechanga for its next changes – big and small – all intended to provide guests with value, excitement, and luxury.

Pechanga Casino & Resort is located two minutes from Interstate 15 in Temecula, California, 45 minutes from San Diego, one and a half hours from Los Angeles, one hour from Orange County, and one hour from Palm Springs. Call (877) 711-2WIN or log on to www.Pechanga.com for more information.