We saw a show, got a golf lesson, stayed in penthouse suites, sunned in poolside cabanas, had muscles kneaded in an orange blossom-scented treatment room, and dined in the best restaurants on pan-seared Chilean sea bass, New York steak, and Maine lobster. Recently, my wife and I lived large at six local casinos. My assignment: A high-roller fact-finding mission. That includes casino-resorts Barona, Harrah’s, Pala, Pechanga, Sycuan, Valley View, and Viejas, and casino-only properties Golden Acorn, Jamul Casino, and Pauma. The ten area casinos use player’s club cards to track your betting habits. For Super Bowl LVI, Pechanga filled a luxury limo bus with 20 high-ranked “Jade” level players for door-to-door service to the game.
The casino also has suites at SoFi Stadium for Los Angeles Rams and Chargers games. VIPs get perks like Andrea Bocelli concert tickets (coming June 15). Pechanga’s name is on the former San Diego Sports Arena. “On-property, it’s our job is to make sure high rollers have everything they like,” she says. For the last decade, she’s been director of casino VIP marketing at Pechanga Resort Casino.
Over her 28-year career, Kara Montanarella has been a host, manager, and director in Las Vegas casinos. VIPs get perks: Free play on slot machines. At San Diego-area casinos, if your bets are big, you’ll get noticed. Image Credits Journey at Pechanga: Photo by Aidan Bradley Dive: Photo by Ron Donoho All other photography: courtesy
