The California Hotel & Casino

Worst experience ever. We left with bed bug bites, and received nothing more than a, sorry about your bad luck. When we returned home we visited a doctor who confirmed. YOU HAVE BED BUG BITES!!! Beware

Excellent service, nice rooms, and a laid back atmosphere that I really appreciated. I was able to get a couple of rooms here at a great price, and was not charged a resort fee. The location is close to the Fremont experience, but far enough away to avoid the noise. My only complaint was that the pool and other areas of the casino were under construction.

This hotel is just OK… I wish they would update their rooms it’s a bit runned down the toilet doesn’t look as good as the lobby ones… Idk if it’s just me but the towels stink… I didn’t even want that towel on me but I had no choice. Good thing when you head to the room it isn’t smoky as downstairs. Also just wished that they would turnover the room earlier just thought it was strange that they were turnovering the rooms right between me but not us… But you do get what you pay for.

Came here for the ox tail soup. Twas good. The Philippine breakfast tocino was the bomb!

It’s all about the café and their oxtail soup. It has a wonderful taste… not as wonderful as it used to be when they had peanuts that were cooked until they were soft in the broth. Ginger, and cilantro on the side, along with heaping amount of oxtail leaves most everyone satisfied in the belly and pocketbook as the price is $ 9.99 after 11pm. The caveat is that it is only served from 11pm-​9am.
Parking is hit and miss because it is a small garage. It pays to just tip the valet and let him park it as most of the parking in the first few floors are reserved for valet… even if they are mostly empty. I spent 15 min circling the Main Street Station parking lot and couldn’t find a space on a Saturday night. Should’ve brought some clothes to clean, I felt like a spin cycle after a couple loops left and then a couple loops right, only to end up where I started at the entrance… as I gave up and drove to the valet instead.
But the soup was worth it. I used to bring a container and order two… one for lunch the next day. It’s that good (the lady in front of me could not help exorting the deliciousness of it to her newbie friends and how her lips were already salivating… then again, it’s good but I don’t think it’s that good to be salivating… except when they had the peanuts maybe :) [Asian style when it comes to slow cooking things like goose, duck, or braising meat, they like to use peanuts.]
The service is quick and everyone is just laid back, from the servers to the clientele. Probably because most of them are from Hawaii on vacation. Suits me fine as I don’t need to worry about dressing up or combing my hair, etc, sandals and tank top and you are good to go. You come. You order. You eat.

The water coming from the showers and sink smells like chlorine and made me extremely itchy. Everything seems old and dirty. There’s not really anything to do at the hotel. Not enough slot machines, only old boring ones. And if it gets windy good luck trying to sleep! The hotel is built poorly so when it gets windy it sounds like someone is trying to break down the windows! Loudest/​most horrifying sound I’ve ever heard in my life! It scared the crap out of my family and we couldn’t sleep because of it. The ONLY positive is that this hotel is relatively cheap. That’s it.

I stay at The California every year for March Madness opening weekend. It is my preferred hotel in Downtown Las Vegas. Being a fan of Hawaiian food, I really like that they cater to a Hawaiian customer base. There’s nothing like leaving a blackjack table at midnight to enjoy a comped bowl of Oxtail Soup. The prices are reasonable, the food options are solid, and the atmosphere is comfortable.
On a negative note, I am sad to see their old motif torn down in favor of your standard casino architecture. Part of the charm of the California was it’s weird fusion kitsch. On one hand, you had a wood paneled, pirate ship theme. On the other, you had the employees’ Hawaiian shirts and some flowered designs. All of this was over layered by 80’s style large cursive neon signs identifying the restaurants and other amenities. The whole thing was a mess. I don’t blame Boyd for upgrading, but now the casino has very little unique character.
On my last visit, my crew poured out a little liquor for our old homie, The Pasta Pirate. We’ll certainly be back again and again, but it won’t be the same.

They have newly renovated the lobby. They’re still working on the rest of the hotel. At lease it does feel to clustered and smokey.

California is currently under construction. Fortunately the restaurant was still open. Hopefully, they renovate the restaurant soon as it definitely needs a little tlc. We come to California hotel for multiple reasons… Oxtail soup, all you can eat breakfast buffet (hawaiian style), some table games, and more oxtail soup!
Oxtail soup is only served from 11pm, yes 1 hour before midnight! Best place if you’ve had too much to drink. I’ve seen many of my friends pass out while waiting for their order of oxtail soup and always feeling better after eating. I can’t say enough good things about the soup! It comes with rice, cilantro and minced garlic on the side. The meat just falls off the bones. Delicious!
The ayce breakfast buffet is cheap and they serve traditional bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes but they also serve rice and spam! If you want cheap, hearty food, California Hotel is the place to be!

Oct. 2015:
Usually stay here when in Vegas, but I have never been more disappointed with our accommodations, even though they granted my request @ booking.
First, the mat in the tub is peeling back and it is horribly pilau under there. (Good thing mom brought shower slippers)
Next, the sink water was all backed up. Upon inspection of the inside of the drain, using my phone’s flashlight, the drain was almost completely blocked with black guk and hair. So gross. I took a pic of what I fished out using a chopstick! (I don’t know if it would be a good idea to post it. Use your imaginations.) I think the shower drain is just as bad.
Casino: section & exit to Main Street closed due to renovations.
Lappert’s Ice Cream is the place to go for A.M. Coffee. (Large coffee and donut = $ 3)
March 2016:
The valet office and front desk/​lobby have been remodeled. Really nice! It’s much brighter and more inviting. Quarter Wheel of Fortune slots no longer near elevator. Located to area opposite the cashier. Card tables moved to crap table area. The place that used to house the card tables is now under construction. The snack bar is GONE! Redeem vouchers for snacks in Lappert’s on the mezzanine. (So bummed because the french fries there were great)
New machines outside Market Street Café include Christmas Story, Buffalo, Big Bang Theory. (I did well on these at 2:30am on Tuesday)
Yahtzee, Godfather, Fishing, Wizard of Oz, gone from mezzanine. Replaced with Flinstones, Gremlins, Monopoly, Iron Man, Ghostbusters.
Gremlins is so funny!
Our room was the same, with the exception of the beds. New, and at least 8″ taller. I had to climb up like a 5 year old. Comfy, but high. Pillows are also new and quite firm.
Construction dust combined with low humidity and cigarette smoke, did a number on my respiratory system, and membranes. I got a bloody nose!

This review is solely for the casino.
Parking structure is small, but the two times that I went the ticket machine was broken and it said to stop at the booth but the booth was closed so that meant FREE parking. Otherwise, park in the lot across from California hotel. I think its $ 5 on Friday and Saturday, $ 3 Sunday– Thursday. If you eat, gamble or are a card holder then you can get your parking money back (with the parking receipt) from the cashier.
I’d say there were a good amount of slots and tables. It has a Craps area. Bf lost a lot of money there on craps but won a bunch on slots. Bf told me that California hotel had good Hawaiian food but sadly it closed at 10 PM.

I’ve never stayed here. I’ve never eaten here.
But I do like the casino. It has become one of my favorite places in town to play blackjack. Table game staff has a wonderful attitude. Dealers actually have personalities. $ 5 double deck pitch. And I always have a good time playing here.

Old school hotel!
Parking is $ 5 before validation. Need to spend $ 5 at a restaurant to get money back.
Known for the Market Street Café and oxtail soup!
California Club
— Spam Musubi — $ 2.29 — Huge! Rice was a little different but good late night munchie.
— White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie — $ 1.79 — Tasted like store bought cookies but satisfying.

I parked here at the California Hotel & Casino on Saturday 11−28−15 so that I could go and eat at the Market Street Café which is inside this casino. I do not gamble at all, I only go to Casinos to eat or go shopping.
The parking attendant explained that parking is $ 5 on Saturdays but if you take your parking receipt and a gaming receipt or restaurant receipt to the cash cage they will refund you the $ 5. Sounds easy, right?
So I went to eat with my toddler and on the way back to the parking garage I stopped at the cash cage to get my five bucks. The first employee, a surly black lady snarled at me «I can’t help you while that baby is there.» So I walked to the next employee, an older white lady. She politely tells me that there are no children allowed in the gaming area and she cannot help me while my child is present. WHAT THE HECK should I do? Take him over in the corner and leave him there so I can get my five frickin’ dollars? Maybe ask one of the 200 Filipino ladies to hold him for a minute? I was beside myself. I realize that nobody under 21 is allowed to gamble but all I want is to get my parking validated and go.
So…let me get this straight. Children are allowed in the restaurant but not in the gaming area. How am I supposed to transport my child to the restaurant without going through the gaming area? Do you have a teleportation device? Perhaps you have a zipline that I can connect my toddler to that will take him directly from the front door to the restaurant without stopping.
So…just for your information… you can get your parking validated unless you have a child with you. Then you can go eff yourself. Thanks, California Hotel & Casino, for making me feel like a jerk for going to eat there. I’ll never be back.

Came for the Oxtail soup. It’s good, no doubt about that. Could have been hot instead of just lukewarm but when we asked if they could make it hotter for us they very kindly complied. The meat was fatty but in a good way and it’s still juicy and delicious. The broth was nice and rich. Service isn’t that great and as mentioned before Oxtail Soup could have been served hot but it still makes me happier knowing this exists in the world.

Not the fanciest of hotels, but the California Hotel is a local favorite for us kamaaina’s!
Service is always excellent, and they sure know how to extend the ALOHA spirit to the 9^th island!
Some of the good things about this hotel is —
1. Quiet — Since this hotel is away from the Fremont Light Show Experience, you don’t have to deal with the hourly light show & noise.
2. Clean — The California Hotel does a great job of keeping the room sparkling clean! Looks like they also have up-​kept the hotel by replacing the carpet & wall paper in the hallway, as well as in the rooms.
3. The room is pretty spacious, unlike the Fremont Hotel.
4. They have a few useful amenities like a small fridge, flat screen t.v., hair dryer, iron & ironing board, & a little safe so you can keep your loot inside, so you don’t have to carry so much money on you.
5. Free self parking, but they also valet if you choose to use it.
6. There are also 3 main restaurants in the Hotel/​Casino area — The Redwood Bar & Grill, Market Street Café, & a new restaurant which recently opened called «California Noodle House».
I had a very relaxing, & nice stay here. No wonder the locals keep coming back here. Aloha is truly spoken here!

I am posting an update again. Must be boring to you Unilocalers. I also noticed that the last update I posted was in 2013 NASCAR. I attended this event with my son, but I did not mention the loss of my wife. I don’t know why I did not mention this — I lost my wife in Aug 2012 after a long struggle with cancer. In previous posts about the Cal, I did mention that she was a struggling cancer patient.
Well, anyway, I still go to the Cal a lot, but now mainly by myself. But this past weekend, I went again to the Cal with some friends and family to celebrate multiple August birthdays of family members, and to commemorate the passing of my late wife. Again the Cal graciously accommodated us and comped our rooms and meals. They even arranged for a big family dinner in the Redwood Bar and Grill Steakhouse. We all had a good time and enjoyed ourselves.
I am, as are the other members of my family, big fans of the Cal — the casino with the best customer service, best customer security, and the best rewards for its players!

This review is strictly for the café.
My family and I have been coming here for years to eat the oxtails soup. Before it used to be $ 4.99 back in the day. I think now its $ 11.99 and its still worth every penny. They only sell this from 11pm-​9am. The line can get pretty long but its worth the wait. We always have to stop here every trip we make to vegas.

Review for the diner inside the lobby of the hotel:
Totally the «Hawai hangout» casino and hotel, I sought refuge here to indulge in some «home away from home» local grindz. We drove here from the strip to eat at 3am after a wedding of a friend. I was happy to see Oxtail soup, Zippy’s Chili, Hamburger Steak, and won ton min on the menu. Definitely indulged and left happy. Good to know this is here for the next time I am in town!
For all those not familiar with Hawaii or have never been, this is a great place to try «local» eats while on your vacation. It’s very similar to a lot of diners and coffee houses we have back home in Honolulu.

On the bus to the hotel– I was wearing only a UHM t-​shirt. Others on the bus asked if I was a football player on vacation… NO no– made me laugh. It was a chilly night maybe 40 * out or so and I was way under dressed for the cold.
Boy was I happy to get to my room.
All of the staff that I met was more than used to visitors from HI. Friendly — and showed great customer service with our term– ‘aloha’ better than some people dealing with tourists in hotels in HI.
The room was normal IMHO. All I wanted was a clean bed and clean shower. Nothing very fancy but all I wanted or needed was there.
I’m not a gambler — so I’ll leave that reviewing to others. I was there to see my parents and they liked it too that we were out of the strip and in a more quieter area of Vegas.
Still– I would happily go back there– I had no problems and almost everyone was friendly– everyone was more than polite.