California Grand Casino: A Rich and Colorful History

From gold fever, gunfights, and cattle drives to card playing and bordellos, California's rich history and America's Western heritage can be found at the California Grand Casino in Pacheco, California (next to Concord).

It all started back in 1854 when the Woodford Hotel and Saloon opened its doors and offered alcohol, women, and gambling. The games have been going on ever since – giving the California Grand Casino the right to brag about owning the longest continuous poker action in history – 149 years and counting!

The town of Pacheco was typical of the Old West. It was a rowdy stopover for shippers and businessmen, cowboys and sailors, farmers and gentlemen. The hotel was a stop for the Wells Fargo Pony Express and a welcome haven for anyone who needed a drink, desired the company of a beautiful woman, or wanted to play cards. More than one rancher won, lost, or, yes, even bought the farm at the tables of the Woodford.

In its heyday, Pacheco boasted a restaurant, post office, boarding houses, and a racetrack. As one old-timer recalled, "There were so many horses and carriages on Main Street, there were traffic jams."

Perfectly located between Sacramento and San Francisco, Pacheco was situated on Pacheco Creek, which served as a major shipping and receiving dock between the Diablo Valley and San Francisco Bay (which came right to the edge of town). Ranchers, farmers, and miners brought their goods and products to Pacheco to be shipped. The town drew weary travelers from all directions. Many arrived by horse-drawn wagons seeking a hot meal, warm bed, and a little friendly poker "action" at the Woodford Hotel. The April 28, 1880, issue of the Contra Costa Gazette advertised "room and board … $5 per week."

In 1863, while the town still was experiencing a boom, the Woodford was sold. Under the new ownership, a livery stable was added and the name was eventually changed to the Eagle Hotel. With the addition of the stable, the hotel became a stagecoach stop, drawing even more people to the action.

As the call of the Gold Rush Days began to fade, the hotel was sold for a second time and renamed the Pacheco Inn. Then, in 1979, Wil Wilkinson purchased the property, began improving the structure, changed the name to the California Grand Casino … and the games of chance continued.

Today, farms are not won or lost. The games are dealt by friendly, well-trained personnel who are surrounded by bits and pieces of the Old West.

"History is what distinguishes the California Grand Casino," says owner Wil Wilkinson. "When I took over the place, it still had bullet holes in the walls and ceiling from its wild and woolly days. When we remodeled, we found bills of lading and newspapers from the 1860s that were used to paper the wall boards."

Wilkinson tries to keep that history alive with various memorabilia from the past. The traffic and people have changed, but folks still have a reason to stop at the California Grand Casino. In addition to the games, Wilkinson offers free breakfast or lunch for players, a players menu from 2:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day, tournaments, buffets, barbecues, and various promotional events to entertain and educate patrons.

Although the California Grand Casino is a landmark of America's West, it doesn't mean that the cardroom is caught in the past. The casino features some of the hottest tournament action anywhere. Plus, history is still being made with Hot Action Blackjack® – a game invented by Wil Wilkinson. Due to its widespread popularity, this licensed game has become a real draw in California cardrooms and casinos. Played with multiple decks and jokers, it is similar to 21 except that players don't bust. And each player gets to be the player/dealer. Like the busy hold'em games that go on 24 hours a day at the California Grand Casino, Hot Action Blackjack draws a large crowd of regulars who enjoy traditional card games.

Since Hot Action Blackjack was Wilkinson's invention, it was only fitting that it was first played at the California Grand Casino, giving the cardroom another piece of history to add to its name. Now, the California Grand Casino prides itself on hosting the longest continuous poker action in the world as well as the longest continuous Hot Action Blackjack game.

The California Grand Casino will celebrate its 24th anniversary on Sept. 6 with a free barbecue from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; a penny-pitching contest with cash prizes of $250 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 each for third, fourth, and fifth place; and a $10,000 poker tournament at 2 p.m. that will feature a $110 buy-in (includes a $10 registration fee) and $100 rebuys. All buys stop when the prize money reaches $10,000. The tournament will pay prize money as follows: first place – 40 percent, second – 20 percent, third – 10 percent, fourth – 6 percent, fifth – 4 percent, sixth to 10th – 2 percent, and 14th to 20th – 1 percent.

Drop in anytime. The action is hot – 24 hours a day!