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 Since we’re not big gamblers, my husband and I haven’t visited Pechanga Resort and Casino much even though it’s only a 75-minute drive from our house. A few years ago, we took his mom to a concert by a Rat Pack nostalgia group for what was a memorable blast from her past. But that had been the extent of our relationship with the casino-hotel that is owned an operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. Our interest was newly piqued when Journey at Pechanga opened in late 2008 and began receiving local acclaim. Steve Forrest and Arthur Hills designed a 7,219-yard course on the side of a mountain on environmentally and culturally significant Pechanga homelands. The buzz has been good, and we wanted to see for ourselves. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture throughout the resort translates into creature comforts in the rooms. Natural materials abound, from the granite counters and floors, wood furnishings, natural-wood ceiling and flagstone entryway to the Tiffany and Mission-style ceiling and table lamps. Sun streamed into our nicely sized one-bedroom suite that had the feel of a home away from home. The living area included a sofa, desk, TVs, dining table, wet bar and refrigerator. A separate bedroom offered an oversized queen bed, armchair and ottoman. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked south to the clubhouse and the first hole of Journey at Pechanga. The view to the left took in the third-floor sundeck, pool and spa complex (pictured below), with numerous tent cabanas and lounge chairs adding to the appeal. We visited the spa for a couples massage. Twin tables were set up in the candlelit room that included a spa tub with side-by-side seating for two, as well as a glass-enclosed shower that seemed roomy enough to hold a small party. We listened to Native American flute music while the stress knots were worked out of our bodies. After 50 minutes of bliss, we visited the steam rooms and showers in the men’s and women’s locker rooms to top off a relaxing time. For dinner, we selected The Seafood Grotto and were pleased with our selections, which included oysters Rockefeller, crab cakes, king crab legs and stuffed sea bass. We teed off early the next morning and discovered that Journey at Pechanga isn’t a cruise-control resort course. There are many holes that require strategy off the tee, with numerous approach shots also requiring careful thought. It’s no wonder that the Pechanga Band hired 15-time PGA Tour winner Corey Pavin to serve as Journey’s official touring professional. Players will need to draw on some of Pavin’s bulldog tenacity on some holes. The care that went into preserving the environment, protecting the ecosystem and honoring the cultural history of the land is evident, with lakes, streams, wetlands and scrub crossing fairways and bordering the course. Artifacts of tribal life, such as willow-reed kiicha huts, mortars in ancient rock and cedar bark houses, are scattered throughout the layout, and the sighting of egrets, hawks, seabirds and quail added to the experience.  Lunch after the round at Journey’s End inside the 62,000-square-foot clubhouse was the perfect balm for our bruised golf egos. The clubhouse, which opened in November 2008, has floor-to-ceiling windows with earthy wood and stone decor and glass doors etched with a Japanese floral motif. It was designed with gathering as a key function, as seen in the indoor circular gas fire pit filled with glass rocks and surrounded by armchairs. The lounge features a long bar, plenty of intimate seating and flat-screen TVs for sports viewing. After a quick nap in our room, we played the slots in the casino (pictured right) and came up winners. (Well, we won back what we lost the night before and came out 10 bucks ahead. Like I said, we’re not big gamblers.) But we really hit the jackpot at The Great Oak Steakhouse. Upon entering, we were transported into an elegant retreat with a stone fireplace at the center of the room and a wall of Arts and Crafts stained glass that shielded diners from the action and bright lights of the casino. Our waiter informed us that the beef comes from a herd of cattle that the Pechanga Band owns in Iowa. Our petite filet and New York strip came with red wine and butter sauces, but the toppings proved frivolous to the savory beef. The Caesar salad was prepared tableside with fresh ingredients, and we indulged sides of garlic fries, creamed spinach and sautéed mushrooms. Wine aficionados can depend on an exhaustive wine menu of 900 selections from which to identify a favorite or unexpected vintage. In addition to an 188,000-square-foot casino floor with 130 table games and 3,400 slot machines, the resort has numerous entertainment options. With 1,200 seats, the Showroom Theater promises an intimate experience for audience members to see headliners and take in touring productions of Broadway hits. A 270-seat Comedy Club has become a regular stop on the circuit for jokemeisters such as Craig Shoemaker, and in keeping with its name, the Cabaret Lounge features live music and karaoke on Mondays and Tuesdays. There’s also a sports bar called Kelsey’s with microbrews on tap, and the Eagle’s Nest is a rooftop nightclub option with salsa dancing on Sundays. Pechanga Resort advertises itself as a place to “break away,” and the marketing strategy is spot on. The atmosphere is sophisticated and relaxing, and the top-notch dining and golf enhances the appeal. And it’s all just a short drive from home. For more information: Pechanga Resort Casino 45000 Pechanga Parkway Temecula (off I-15) (951) 693-1819 (877) 711-2946 pechanga.com Journey at Pechanga Golf Course (951) 770-4653 (866) 991-7277 journeyatpechanga.com |
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