Hard Rock Casino Tejon Rocks Kern County
Hard Rock Casino Tejon in Mettler, CA, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, officially opened its doors on Nov. 13 with a celebratory Guitar Smash ceremony, marking the first full-scale gaming and entertainment destination in Kern County. The $600 million project, located 80 miles north of Los Angeles, represents the largest private hospitality investment in the region and has already created over 1,000 permanent jobs and more than 5,000 construction roles. The opening celebration included a tribal blessing, color guard presentation and a $100,000 charitable donation, underscoring the tribe’s commitment to community and future generations.
Guests were treated to live entertainment from multi-platinum country artist Brett Young, along with first access to gaming, culinary experiences and photo opportunities with the first slot pulls and table bets. The 150,000-square-foot casino offers over 2,000 state-of-the-art slot machines, more than 50 table games including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker and baccarat, plus VIP high-limit rooms and access to Hard Rock’s global loyalty program—Unity.
Dining at Hard Rock Casino Tejon blends brand staples with new culinary concepts. The legendary Hard Rock Cafe anchors the property with classic American fare and music memorabilia, while the Marketplace Food Hall features fast-casual favorites like Constant Grind, Street Tacos, The Roost and Brick’d Italian Kitchen. Debuting at Tejon, Deep Cut Steaks | Seafood delivers an elevated steak and seafood experience. YouYu brings contemporary Asian cuisine inspired by Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechwan and Vietnamese traditions.
Looking ahead, Phase II will bring a 400-room hotel and a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live venue for concerts, performances and sporting events, completing the full Hard Rock experience. “This is only the beginning,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “Hard Rock Casino Tejon will make Kern County a premier destination for travelers, artists, and fans alike.”
