A $600 million resort-scale casino rivaling Las Vegas giants is set to open in Central California on November 13. Hard Rock International, in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, will officially launch Hard Rock Casino Tejon, marking a major milestone for the region’s gaming and tourism industry.
Located about 15 miles south of Bakersfield in the Mettler area of Kern County, the new casino is the region’s first full-scale casino resort. Built on tribal-owned land near Interstate 5 at the entrance to the Grapevine Mountains, the site connects both Southern and Central California, positioning it as a key entertainment hub.
The casino spans 150,000 square feet of gaming space—comparable to MGM Grand, Bellagio, Aria, and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
It includes 2,000 slot machines, more than 50 table games such as blackjack, Texas Hold’em, and baccarat, along with exclusive VIP gaming rooms.
Dining and nightlife options feature the world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe, Deep Cut Steaks | Seafood, and the Asian restaurant YOUYU. A diverse Marketplace Food Hall will offer artisanal coffee and pastries, street tacos, Southern comfort dishes, and wood-fired Italian classics. The property will also include a Rock Shop selling exclusive Hard Rock merchandise. Members of the Unity by Hard Rock program can earn and redeem points, enjoying VIP benefits across Hard Rock locations worldwide.
Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International, said, “The combination of Hard Rock’s global brand and the Tejon Tribe’s vision will elevate the region’s entertainment experience to a new level.”
The Hard Rock Casino Tejon project has already generated thousands of construction jobs and will employ about 1,000 permanent workers after opening. The developers have also financed road and infrastructure improvements without burdening local taxpayers. Future investments will support education, social welfare, and regional economic development.
Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Tribe, stated, “This opening celebrates our heritage and resilience while marking the beginning of prosperity for future generations. It will boost the local economy through thousands of construction and permanent jobs.”
More than a gaming facility, Hard Rock Casino Tejon forms part of a larger mixed-use development that includes a tribal government center, medical facilities, and residential housing. The complex aims to establish a new cultural and tourism destination that blends music, community, and economic opportunity in Central California.
BY Eunyoung Lee [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
