I was ready for a fun getaway to relax and chill out so you can bet I was excited when I was invited to attend a private event at Pala Casino Spa & Resort located below the Palomar Mountains east of Fallbrook and twenty minutes from Temecula in northern San Diego County.
Book your stay at Pala Spa Resort, here.
It was an easy 2-hour-plus ride from Los Angeles. Driving into the Pala Indian Reservation, I couldn’t help but spot the towering Pala Casino Spa Resort a few miles ahead.
My room with a view
I checked into a Deluxe room on the top floor. This was the spectacular view I had from my window of the San Luis River Valley and the mountains.
My room was elegant, spacious, and beautifully appointed. Right away, I knew I was in for some fun.
Cocktails and pineapples
Our group gathered downstairs at the Cave Lounge shortly after we checked into our rooms for a meet and greet so we could get to know each other and network. The wait staff tempted us with irresistible appetizers stuffed into adorable baby pineapples and I couldn’t resist trying the bar’s signature spiked fruit punch.
The theme throughout the resort, while we were there, was pineapples. They were everywhere.
Casino tour and slot tournament
We were led through the Casino to pick up our Pala Privileges cards. I was excited when the cashier told me that Pala Casino has a Sixty Plus Club! We all love our “senior” discounts, right?
The 60+ Club Senior Reward Program at Pala Casino Resort invites young-at-heart seniors to enjoy dining, dancing, and drawings for cash.
Our entire group played in the slot tournament. We took turns sitting down at a panel of slot machines and it was hilarious to watch everyone frantically hitting buttons as they competed to be the winner.
Guess who won the Boobie Prize? That’s right! Me! I ended up dead last!
Wine-tasting and appetizers
All that slot action worked up an appetite so we moved on to sample appetizers and wine in the luxurious Oak Room. Pala Casino is a 4-star diamond resort experience and The Oak Room, which is an intimate dining room, is first-class. Our Sommelier, who is also a Temecula winemaker, educated us on the local wines we tasted.
Nearby Temecula is the heart of Southern California’s wine country and has produced multiple award-winning wines. Chef Yee Thomas Feng, who is also a sushi master, whetted our appetites with his fabulous culinary creations that were paired with our wine tasting.
If that wasn’t enough, we sampled more wine and appetizers in The Cave Room, an underground wine cellar and entertainment venue located next to the outdoor Starlight Theater.
Concert under the stars
To top off our evening, we attended a concert at the Starlight stage set in the courtyard of the resort. Pala Casino hosts top-name acts and UB40 was the featured group. They’re known for their 80’s Reggae hit “Red, Red, Wine.” Before they came on, we listened to the Jamaican Reggae band “Raging Fyah,” and the Reggae-inspired band “Matisyahu.”
It was a spectacular evening under the stars and the entire audience, as well as several guests watching the show from their rooms above, danced and grooved throughout the entire show. UB40 teased the audience mercilessly before they finally came back on stage to sing their biggest hit.
The Pala Casino Spa Resort experience as a whole
I’d never stayed at an “Indian” casino before and didn’t know what to expect before I arrived. I was impressed from the moment I walked through the door. The resort is environmentally conscious and has a green program in place called Planet Pala. Management is dedicated to using clean energy, eco-friendly products, and recycling, and reaches out to help the native community. The grounds and amenities of the resort were every bit as class-A as any top casino in Vegas.
What sets Pala Casino apart is that it’s located in a natural environment rather than the glitz and craziness of the Vegas Strip. You can hike the 1.5-mile Pala Nature Trail behind the spa or meditate at the Labyrinth.
The Wilderness Gardens County Preserve is just 5 miles away and has 4 miles of hiking trails. It’s also great for birdwatching. Easy side trips can include the Temecula wineries, Fallbrook, (known for its amazing avocados) nearby golf courses, Palomar Mountain State Park, and Palomar Observatory.
If you’re not into gambling, Pala Casino offers a variety of options that include shopping, multiple restaurants, a pool and cabanas, a fitness center, meeting rooms, entertainment, and its award-winning Spa. The body and facial rituals alone will keep me coming back for more.
About the owners of the resort
Pala Casino is owned by the Pala Band of Mission Indians. It is a federally recognized tribe whose reservation is located along the Palomar Mountain range approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego. The majority of the over 900 tribal members live on the 12,000-acre reservation, established for Cupeño and Luiseño Indians, who consider themselves to be one proud people – Pala.
Pala Casino Spa Resort
11154 CA-76, Pala, CA 92059 | Visit the Website
I was given a complimentary stay at Pala Casino Spa Resort in exchange for this post. However, all my opinions are my own. This post was updated on 3/2023.
Wow sounds wonderful. The food looks amazing. I really like their environmental component especially in the desert. I also am impressed with their catering to the young senior, with discounts!
Wow looks amazing. I am impressed with their environmental component their discounts for the young senior and of course the food!!
I agree. The 60-+ perks rock and the food is wonderful. I love that they are environmentally conscious.
Wow…………..this looks amazing! What a fab trip. I live so close to this resort. I am thinking that.maybe David and I need a getaway!
Sounds like a party is forming. I hope you get a chance to check out the resort.
We live close to Pala but have never been there. Might be time for a little staycation!
I hope you get a chance to, Lois. It’s a wonderful place to stay in a great location.
That does sound like a lot of fun!
It was. We had a blast.