Viejas Casino & Resort sits at the Willows Road exit off I-8 in Alpine, about 36 miles east of downtown San Diego. With over 27,100 monthly Google searches, it''s one of the most-searched destinations in the county. And unlike a lot of casinos, Viejas is a genuine all-day destination with enough to do that you don''t have to gamble at all if you don''t want to.
The Casino and Hotels
The gaming floor covers 133,000 square feet with over 2,500 slot machines, 50-plus table games, and a poker room. It''s owned and operated by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who''ve invested heavily in the property over a 30-year renovation cycle. The most recent major expansion wrapped in 2018.
There are two hotel options. The main Viejas Hotel has 203 luxury rooms and 34 VIP suites with a pool and lounge area. The Willows Hotel & Spa is the adults-only tower (21+) with 159 VIP suites, saltwater pools, a full spa, and its own expanded gaming area. It draws 480 monthly searches on its own, and the reviews are consistently strong at 4.7 stars and 409 ratings.
Dining
Grove Steakhouse is a AAA Four Diamond restaurant with 280 reviews and the kind of menu that justifies a special trip. Prime steaks, a deep wine list, and polished service. Baron Long Bar & Grill is the more casual option with 278 reviews, craft cocktails, and a 24-hour sports bar vibe. Ginger Noodle Bar handles Asian cuisine. The Cafe does all-day dining. And the food options at Viejas Outlet Center across the street add more variety.
Shopping at Viejas Outlet Center
The Viejas Outlet Center on Willows Road draws 5,400 monthly Google searches and over 3,100 reviews. Nike Clearance Store is the anchor tenant, with 1,045 reviews and some of the best Nike deals in the county. Coach Outlet has 194 reviews. Gathered: A Native Made Marketplace is a standout, selling Native-crafted goods and art with a genuine cultural connection to the Kumeyaay heritage of the property.
Entertainment and Recreation
Viejas Bowl is a full-service bowling alley at the outlet center with 451 reviews and 1,900 monthly searches. It''s a popular family destination and a decent date-night option. Viejas also runs a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink that draws 1,600 monthly searches during winter months, making it one of the few places in San Diego where you can ice skate outdoors.
The concert venue hosts national touring acts throughout the year. And Native Dreams Day Spa at the outlet center offers massages, facials, and salon services for visitors who''d rather skip the casino floor entirely.
The Green Energy Story
Here''s something most people don''t know: Viejas is building one of the largest EV charging stations in the country. The project includes 410 charging stalls powered by 15 megawatts of on-site solar panels and 70 megawatt-hours of battery storage. It''s partly funded by a $72.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy and $43.3 million from the California Energy Commission. When it''s fully operational, the Viejas microgrid will be one of the most advanced clean energy installations at any casino property in the nation.
Viejas is 36 miles east of downtown San Diego via I-8. Take the Willows Road exit and you''re there. Browse the full Alpine entertainment directory for more to do in the area, or check out the dining options on Alpine Boulevard if you want to eat off the casino property.
