The Tejon Hard Rock Casino in California, a remarkable $600 million venture by Hard Rock International in collaboration with the Tejon Indian Tribe, has officially opened its doors following an exciting Guitar Smash ceremony on Thursday.

This resort marks Kern County’s inaugural comprehensive gaming and entertainment hub, situated 80 miles north of Los Angeles. This venture stands as the largest private hospitality investment in the region, anticipated to transform the local tourism scene.

Over 1,000 permanent jobs have been created alongside more than 5,000 construction positions, with a promising positive economic impact projected throughout the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

The expansive 150,000-square-foot gaming area is home to over 2,000 slot machines, 50+ table games such as Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Baccarat, as well as VIP high-limit rooms and access to the Unity by Hard Rock global loyalty rewards program.

The culinary offerings at the resort include the renowned Hard Rock Cafe, featuring classic American cuisine and music memorabilia, alongside the Marketplace Food Hall, which has options like Constant Grind, Street Tacos, The Roost, and Brick’d Italian Kitchen.

New dining experiences available at the facility present Deep Cut Steaks | Seafood, specializing in premium steaks and fresh seafood paired with live entertainment, and YouYu, which offers modern Asian dishes influenced by Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and Vietnamese cuisine.

The grand opening festivities included Hard Rock’s iconic Guitar Smash, a tribal blessing, a color guard presentation, and an impressive $100,000 donation to charity before welcoming guests at noon.

Country music star Brett Young, known for his multi-platinum success and recent album release, 2.0, performed at the event, marking the first live performance at Hard Rock Casino Tejon. Guests also experienced the casino’s inaugural slot pull and table bet, alongside culinary previews and various opening day activities.

“This is a landmark day for the Tejon Indian Tribe and Kern County,” stated Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe. “This establishment embodies our Tribe’s vision, resilience, and enduring commitment to provide opportunities for future generations.”

The collaboration between the Tejon tribe and Hard Rock was inspired by the parent company’s ownership by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, according to Escobedo III in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Hard Rock International has been under Seminole ownership since 2007.

For the Tejon tribe, which achieved federal recognition in 2011 after a long history of bureaucratic challenges, the casino signifies a pivotal move towards “financial sovereignty,” Escobedo remarked. The tribe’s long-term aspirations include creating a residential community for its 1,523 enrolled members, something that has been elusive for over a century.

Future developments will introduce a 400-room hotel accompanied by a Hard Rock Live venue, capable of seating 2,800 patrons, catering to concerts, sports events, and major touring acts.

“Hard Rock Casino Tejon is just the beginning,” declared Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. “Phase II will realize the full Hard Rock experience, featuring a world-class hotel and live entertainment venue, positioning Kern County as a prime destination for visitors, artists, and fans from across California and beyond.”