Probably one of the best casinos in the area. I haven't been there in a while since it's a good 2 hours from me but decided to give Barona another chance. Everyone's question...The gambling?? I'm not going to complain. Slots were paying.
Tribal casino
Barona Resort & Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
Photos from the venue's Google Maps listing, credited to their contributors on Google.
- Nonsmoking casino floor
- Cheap eats at the food court
- Adults 18 and over
The short version
What visitors say about Barona Resort & Casino
Barona banned smoking inside, apart from one small area, and that is what most people talk about. The air is clean, slot attendants seem to be everywhere, and players call it the tidiest casino in San Diego County. It is 18 and over. Smokers resent having to step outside, and several people dislike the drive up the hill.
The buffet is gone, but the food court fills the gap with inexpensive pizza, tacos, Chinese food and clam chowder. Hotel rooms are dated but clean and quiet.
The players club is where tempers flare. The newer tiers hand out daily free play, yet many regulars, especially heavier players, say it is thin for what they spend. Complaints that the slots have tightened are common, and two reviewers said players who win steadily have been asked to leave.
Written from about 20 recent Google reviews, Google's most relevant and its lowest rated, read in September 2026. Places change, so take it as a guide rather than the last word.
Location
Finding Barona Resort & Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040
Google reviews
The best and the worst of what people wrote
The good reviews Google ranks highest, next to the worst ones, left exactly as they were written. 16,269 people have rated Barona Resort & Casino on Google, for an average of 4.4.
Top reviews6
My husband and I just had a 5 night stay at Barona and the visit pretty much exceeded every expectation. The hotel rooms are a bit dated but they are very clean and well maintained. The casino has just about every game you can think of. The machines are also well maintained and the surroundings are clean and…
I took my parents and tried some different food, which was tasty andd reasonably priced. I thought the ribs were slightly above average B- at best. The pork egg rolls flavorful B-. The quality of the ingredients were a B but the food
Of all the san diego casinos, barona is the CLEANEST one of them all. Smoke free, and 18+ up to play.
All the staff is generally formal with you, they're pretty generous with the food comp.
Hotels are simple, clean, comes with complimentary items at the front desk if you ask
No more buffet, makes me sad.…
We had the BEST time at Barona!
My husband and I had originally planned to stay at Sycuan for a couple of nights
This Casino is worth the drive! They have the best customer service ! Food is delicious! Bathrooms are clean, stocked, and designed beautiful,& stylish! The the drink carts are plenty and offer a the best variety of drinks! Their offers are great! Their prices are by far the best all around! I truly felt the " welcome home!" Bravo!
Critical reviews6
I’ve been a loyal patron for years, but my recent stays were disappointing. The property itself is fine and hosts are great when you’re on the floor. However, the hotel front desk experience does not match what’s advertised.
Casino was nice, service was nice, but I was expelled from the property in the middle of the night because I know how the slot machines work and “I’m too good of a player for them.” Their words not mine.They only want you to play if you lose.
The shady part of what happened to me is I did not break any of their…
Was planning on making this my new home casino after their new club rewards program until today. Recently they changed it to different levels got certain amounts of free play on a daily basis, which is awesome! I only received $10 per day,
Vegas is better. I don't understand why people say you don't need Vegas in some of these California casinos. While I do love the food court, especially the ice cream place. I really don’t like the rewards program.
I am not a big fan of playing for nothing or of little value. Compared to my local casino like sliverton…
I’ve been coming to this casino for years and usually have a great experience, which is why this visit was so disappointing. For the first time, my tacos came out cold and the wait was way longer than normal. The café took forever just to
WARNING: If you’re a high roller, avoid this casino.. Matter of fact everyone should be cautious when playing slots at this casino. The RTP is exceptionally low across the entire casino floor and since they are not required to report their RTP, assume that it's the lowest in SoCal. Other casinos have better amenities,…
Reviews and ratings belong to their authors and Google, and are not verified by us. Collected from Google Maps on September 23, 2026, so times are relative to that date.
Questions about Barona Resort & Casino
Where is Barona Resort & Casino?
At 1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd in Lakeside, about 110 miles from Downtown LA as the crow flies. It's a tribal casino, run by the tribe on its own land.
Is Barona Resort & Casino open 24 hours?
Yes, around the clock every day, going by its Google listing. Holiday hours sometimes change, so call if you're planning around a particular time.
Does Barona Resort & Casino have a hotel?
Yes, there's a hotel on the property, so you can stay the night instead of driving home late.
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Players club gifts and perks