Hard Rock Casino Tejon | Opens Dec. 2025

Groundbreaking Held Dec. 14, 2023

Nation | Tribe: Tejon Indian Tribe

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO TEJON

Mettler, Kern County, CA
(661) 834-8566 (Tribal Office)

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be a $600-million casino, hotel and entertainment complex built 15 miles south of Bakersfield near Mettler, California. Construction began Dec. 14, 2023. The Hard Rock casino will open in December 2025. The hotel and concert center will open 20 months later.

Hard Rock Tejon, which will be located near California Highway 99 and State Route 166, will include a 166,000 sq-ft casino, a 400-room hotel, Hard Rock Live concert venue, Rock Spa, and 13 restaurants and bars.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

In June 2019 the Tejon Indian Tribe signed an agreement with Hard Rock International to develop and manage a new Hard Rock hotel and casino on Tejon reservation land south of Bakersfield. Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The Tejon Indian casino project has been federally approved under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Tejon casino also has local, county, and state approvals.

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon is currently under construction on 306 acres of farmland located 15 miles south of Bakersfield near Mettler, California. The 700,000 square-foot project has tow phases of construction.

Phase 1 is underway and includes the Hard Rock casino with 2,500 slot machines and 48 table games, and 13 restaurants and bars, which include a Hard Rock Cafe and an upscale Council Oak Steaks and Seafood restaurant. The first phase will be completed in late 2025.

Phase 2 will start shortly after phase 1 and will include construction of a 400-room hotel with a pool and spa, additional fine dining, a cigar lounge, and a Hard Rock Live concert theater with 2,800-seats. The second phase will be completed in 20 months (late 2027).

News

Hard Rock Tejon's Impact on Mountain Communities October 14, 2024 - Construction of the Hard Rock Casino Tejon is expected to be completed late next year. When the Tejon casino opens, what will be its impact on the mountain ... Read more Hard Rock Tejon | Topping-Off Event Update October 6, 2024 - The final steel beam for the structural framework of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon was hoisted into position Monday during a topping-off ceremony held at the Mettler construction site ... Read more Hard Rock Tejon | Topping-Off Event October 2, 2024 - The official "topping off" event of the Hard Rock Casino Tejon was celebrated Monday in Mettler, CA, as construction crews hoisted the final steel beam atop the framework for the 150,000 sq-ft casino ... Read more Tejon Hard Rock Casino Progress | August 2024 Update August 21, 2024 - As construction continues on the Tejon Indian Tribe's new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Mettler, local media visited the site and met with Bakersfield Chief Economic ... Read more Tejon Hard Rock celebrates groundbreaking December 15, 2023 - A new era began yesterday for the Tejon Indians when the Tribe, in partnership with Hard Rock International, broke ground on a $600 million casino, hotel and entertainment destination ... Read more Headlines continued...

Building site for Hard Rock Casino Tejon

The project site is bordered by Wild Flower Street, South Sabodan Street, Valpredo Avenue and an unamed westside road.

Artist rendering of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

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Description of Hard Rock Casino Tejon

SUMMARY: Key features in the plan for a tribal casino in Kern County

• $600 million construction project

• Project Site is 306 acres near Mettler, CA

• Casino will have 147,000-166,000 square feet

• Hotel will have 300-400 rooms with 177,500-226,000 square feet

• Rock Spa^® and fitness facility at the hotel

• 13 restaurants and bars will be constructed in 56,700-73,300 square feet of space

• Hard Rock Live^® will be a concert venue

• Entertainment and Retail Space will be 33,000-38,000 square feet

• Conference and Meeting Rooms will be 32,000-53,000 square feet, the largest available in Kern County

• Parking will have 3,600-4,500 spaces

• RV Parking will be up to 22 acres

• Open space will be used for organic farming, tribal headquarters, a community park and housing for tribal members.

Project Status of Hard Rock Casino Tejon

The Tejon Indian Tribe become a federally-recognized tribe in January 2012.

2015
On August 3, 2015 the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued a Notice of Intent that it was processing an application from the Tejon Indian Tribe to transfer Tejon Indian land into federal trust for a proposed casino project. [Source: Federal Register]

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was initiated by the BIA in August 2015 that required a Scoping Report followed by a Draft EIS and a Final EIS. [Source: EIS]

2019
The Scoping Report was completed February 22, 2019. The Draft EIS is scheduled for completion in late 2019 and will be open for public comments.

On June 4, 2019 the Tejon Indian Tribe announced it has partnered with Hard Rock International for help developing and managing the project. For further information, see our news article below.

2020
After a five-year process, the final draft of an environmental impact statement was completed in October 2020.

2021
Federal approval for the casino project was granted on Jan. 8, 2021.

2022
Final approval was granted by the state on June 13, 2022 when Gov. Newsom signed a state-tribe gaming compact with the Tejon Indian Tribe authorizing up to 3,000 slot machines.

In Nov. 2022 the U.S. Department of Interior granted final approval for the land and also approved the California gaming compact.

2023
The groundbreaking to begin construction was held Dec. 14, 2023. This followed the federal transfer of the 320-acres casino site into trust for the Tejon Indian Tribe.

Dec. 14, 2023 - Groundbreaking ceremony for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

2024
Construction began in February 2024 when the first earthmoving equipment appeared at the site. After the site preparation is completed in June, the framing will begin to be visiable from the highway.

2025
The projected grand opening for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon iwill be in two phases. The casino is expected to open in December 2025 and the hotel will open 20 months later.

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Features of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

Gaming

Restaurants

Entertainment

Rock Shop

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Hard Rock Hotel

RV Park

News Articles

Hard Rock Tejon's Impact on Mountain Communities

October 14, 2024

Construction of the Hard Rock Casino Tejon is expected to be completed late next year. When the Tejon casino opens, what will be its impact on the mountain communities in and around the Grapevine area? Bakersfield's 23 ABC News sent a reporter to find the answers.

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How will the opening of Hard Rock Tejon could impact the mountain communities - Courtesy of 23 ABC News | KERO, Oct 8, 2024. Available from YouTube

Avery Elowitt, a Lebec neighborhood reporter, interviewed BJ Saidi, President of Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce, and DC Williams, a California Highway Patrol Officer at Fort Tejon, to learn more about the Tejon casino's impact.

Hard Rock Casino Tejon will have a major economic effect on the area with the creation of 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. The public concerns will be increased traffic and potential for crime.

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Hard Rock Tejon | Topping-Off Event Update

October 6, 2024

The final steel beam for the structural framework of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon was hoisted into position Monday during a topping-off ceremony held at the Mettler construction site. Bakersfield's 23 ABC News has provided this video update of the event:

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"Topping off" the Tejon Hard Rock Casino - Courtesy of 23 ABC News | KERO, Sep 30, 2024. Available from YouTube

A press release from Hard Rock International on Tuesday provides project details, features, and timeline for construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon.

PRESS RELEASE
PR Newswire

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Stages Topping Off Ceremony

News provided by
Hard Rock International
Oct 01, 2024, 11:06 ET

New casino, hotel and entertainment complex set to open in late 2025

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO TEJON, KERN COUNTY, Calif., Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A "Topping Off" ceremony was held yesterday at the site of the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, which is scheduled to open in late 2025.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be more than 700,000 square feet of which 150,000 square feet will be gaming space, featuring 3,000 of the most popular slots, 48 table games, and video poker and will be the second closest class III casino to Los Angeles, which is less than an hour away.

CONTINUED at PR Newswire

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Hard Rock Tejon | Topping-Off Event

October 2, 2024

The official "topping off" event of the Hard Rock Casino Tejon was celebrated Monday in Mettler, CA, as construction crews hoisted the final steel beam atop the framework for the 150,000-square-foot casino. When the hotel and Hard Rock Live concert are completed in a later phase, Hard Rock Casino Tejon will total 700,000-square-feet.

The celebration began with short speeches by tribal and casino officials. These were followed by a signing ceremony, in which the final beam was signed by members of the construction crew, casino and local officials, and tribal leaders and members. The beam was adorned by flags and a palm tree as it was hoisted and anchored into place to complete the framework phase of construction.

Final steel beam was sign by construction crew, casino officials, local officials, and Tejon tribal members.

Final beam was joisted up carrying flags and a non-traditional pine tree.

Final beam takes final placement.

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Tejon Hard Rock will celebrate construction milestone

September 26, 2024

The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International will celebrate a major milestone next week in the construction of the $600-million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon near Bakersfield, California. The event is called "topping off" and refers to moment the construction crew places the final beam atop the project's steel framework.

Construction of Hard Rock Casino Tejon began on Dec. 14, 2023. The casino will be completed for a grand opening in December 2025. A later phase of construction will build a 400-room hotel and Hard Rock Live concert venue. Both will open in mid-to-late 2027.

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Tejon's Hard Rock Casino | New Construction Photos

September 22, 2024

If you are traveling south on Highway 99 from Bakersfield, you will see the construction site of the $1 billion Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon on the westside of the highway about a half mile past the Mettler exit.

The following photographs were taken during an onsite media visit held earlier this month:

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

Hard Rock Casino Tejon Construction Site

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Tejon Hard Rock Casino Progress | August 2024 Update

August 21, 2024

As construction continues on the Tejon Indian Tribe's new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Mettler, local media visited the site and met with Bakersfield Chief Economic Development Officer Jim Damian for an update on the project.

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Tejon Indian Tribe progresses on Kern County's first resort hotel and casino - Courtesy of KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News - BakersfieldNow, Aug 20, 2024. Available from YouTube

The Tejon Hard Rock's construction site is located a half mile south off the Mettler Exit 166 on Highway 99. Highway travelers can see the construction activity as heavy equipment moves around the site and the first steel framework has been erected into in place.

Bakersfield's chief economic development Officer Jim Damian told BakersfieldNow that many job opportunities will come to area residents when Hard Rock opens. It is estimated the casino's $1 billion investment will generate about 5,000 new jobs in the region.

When the casino resort opens in late 2025, Hard Rock Tejon will be the first resort hotel and casino in Kern County.

Also, the two-year anniversary of the Tribal-State Gaming Compact signed August 17-18, 2022 by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe, was celebrated this week. The agreement authorizes the casino to operate Class III gaming with up to 3,000 slot machines and 48 table games. The official gaming compact can be read here.

Tribal representatives were not available at the construction site during the media visit.

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Tejon Hard Rock Construction | March 2024 Update

March 1, 2024

Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Kern County, California is now officially underway following a ceremonial groundbreaking held last December. Earthmoving equipment can be seen preparing the construction site, which is located at Highway 99 and State Route 166. Construction is scheduled for completion in Fall 2025.

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Hard Rock Casino quietly undertakes its 'real' groundbreaking in tiny Mettler - Courtesy of KGET News, Feb 27, 2024. Available from YouTube

By June some initial building materials will arrive for the steel framing. Soon afterwards the construction project will start to become visible from Highway 99.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon is a partnership between Hard Rock International and the Tejon Indian Tribe. Hard Rock is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and will develop the project and manage the operation. The Tejon Indian Tribe, which owns the land, will own the Hard Rock Casino Tejon.

Hard Rock Tejon will be located in the small town of Mettler, which has a population of 90. The town is located off Highway 99 about 15 miles south of Bakersfield and 80 miles north of Los Angeles. Hard Rock is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and an additional 5,000 full and part-time jobs to operate and service the Tejon casino and hotel.

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Tejon Hard Rock celebrates groundbreaking

December 15, 2023

A new era began yesterday for the Tejon Indians when the Tribe, in partnership with Hard Rock International, broke ground on a $600 million casino, hotel and entertainment destination south of Bakersfield, CA.

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Groundbreaking for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Mettler marks new beginning for Tejon tribe - Courtesy of KGET News, Dec 14 2023. Available from YouTube

The grand opening of the casino is expected by December 2025. The Hard Rock hotel will follow with a later opening date.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be the first resort hotel and casino in Kern County. The location is 15 miles south of Bakersfield along Highway 99 near the 166 Mettler exit.

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Tejon Hard Rock to break ground on new $600M casino complex

December 10, 2023

Construction of the $600-million Tejon Hard Rock casino complex will begin this week following a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday Dec. 14. The ceremony will be attended by officials and dignitaries of the Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International.

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Tejon Indian Tribe to break ground on Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Dec. 14 - Courtesy of KGET News, Dec 7, 2023. Available from YouTube

Hard Rock Tejon will be the first casino and hotel in Kern County. The building site is not far from the base of the Grapevine on Highway 99 near the 166 Mettler exit.

Construction of the Tejon Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will proceed in two phases. Phase one will build a 150,000 square-foot casino that will open by December 2025. The second phase will follow later with a 400-room hotel, a 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live event center.

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Hard Rock Casino Tejon will break ground by end of 2023

November 9, 2023

Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will begin before the end of the year. The announcement was made by the casino on social media.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon project to break ground by end of 2023 - Courtesy of KGET News, Nov 6, 2023. Available from YouTube

In a Facebook Posting Monday, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon referenced the end-of-year groundbreaking for the first time in an Instagram promotion:

To all our Facebook followers,

With groundbreaking approaching at the end of the year, we are excited to announce that a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon Instagram account has been launched.

- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon has previously announced the grand opening will be in 2025. The construction site will be 15 miles south of Bakersfield near Mettler, California and state highways 99 and 66.

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Hard Rock Tejon Construction Update - Oct. 2023

October 8, 2023

Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tejon, California, was expected to start this year. So far, nothing has happened, and there has been no updates from Hard Rock officials, the Tejon Indian Tribe, owner of the property, or the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owner of Hard Rock brand.

After the Tejon casino project received federal approval last November, a Seminole spokesman said construction would start in the spring or summer of 2023 and take 18-to-24 months to complete. No updates to this timeline has been announced since then.

If construction of the Hard Rock Tejon starts in the next 3 months, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon could open in mid-to-late 2025.

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Tejon Indians Win Final Approval for Hard Rock Casino!

November 23, 2022

There is tremendously great news for the Tejon Indian Tribe! The federal government has granted final approval for the Tejon Tribe to proceed with building the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon.

The U.S. Department of the Interior agreed this week to transfer 320 acres of land near highways 99 and 166 into federal trust for the tribe. The federal trust grants tribal sovereignty over the land and allows for casino gaming and construction of new housing for tribal members.

A press release from the tribe said:

"The Tejon Tribe now has a homeland where its citizens can work and live together and collectively ensure a safe and economic environment for all."

- Octavio Escobedo III, Tejon Chairman

The U.S. Department of the Interior also announced approval of the state-tribe gaming compact signed by Gov. Newsom and ratified by the Assembly last August. The compact authorizes Class III gaming, which includes Vegas-style slot machines and table games.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon project has previously been approved by state, county and local governments.

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Hard Rock Tejon Awaits Final Approval

Sptember 30, 2022

The final approval to build the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kern County will come from the U.S. Department of Interior. The Tejon Indian Tribe is now waiting for that decision. Local, county and state governments have all reviewed the project and granted approvals.

The Interior Department is currently reviewing a tribal gaming compact signed by Gov. Newsom and ratified by the state legislature. The department has 45 days to complete the review and determine if the compact complies with the Indian Gaming Regulation Act. The department will approve or reject the compact, or it will let the 45-day deadline pass without comment, which is effectively an approval.

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Tejon casino's gaming compact ratified by California legislature

September 5, 2022

The California legislature has ratified a gaming compact between the state and the Tejon Indian Tribe. The tribe has partnered with Hard Rock Casinos to build a $600 million casino and hotel south of Bakersfield. The compact authorizes Vegas-style slot machines and table games.

The Assembly voted in favor on Aug. 30 and the Senate follow with a unanimous vote on Aug. 31. The gaming compact is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature. After signing, the U.S. Department of Interior will have 45 days to review the agreement and grant final approval.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will be located off Interstate 5 at Highway 166 and feature a casino with 3,000 slot machines, an 11-story hotel with 400 rooms and a Rock Spa, 13 restaurants and bars, Hard Rock Live concert venue, and a conference center.

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Hard Rock Casino near Bakersfield gets final approval

June 19, 2022

The Tejon Indian Tribe has received final approval from Gov. Newsom to build a $600 million Hard Rock casino resort near Bakersfield in Kern County. The Governor signed a state-tribe gaming compact on Monday authorizing up to 3,000 slot machines and Vegas-style table games.

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Tejon tribe gets green light on casino resort project - Courtesy of KGET News, Jun 14, 2022. Available from YouTube

All regulatory federal, state, and county approvals have now been granted to the Tejon Indian Tribe for building the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon. An announcement about the construction schedule is expected soon. Construction is expected to take 18-24 months to complete.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon moves forward

July 21, 2021

The Tejon Indian Tribe has announced the companies that will design and build the new Hard Rock Casino Tejon south of Bakersfield.

• PENTA Building Group is the general contractor.

• Klai Juba Wald is the architect of record for building permits.

• Friedmutter Group Architecture & Interior Design Studios is the design architect and interior designer.

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Tejon tribe selects contractors for upcoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project - Courtesy of KGET News, Jul 19, 2021. Available from YouTube

Tejon Chairman Escobedo said in a statement Monday: "The architectural and design team has designed some of the most beautiful and iconic projects in the hospitality industry and we look forward to working with them to fulfill our Tribe's vision of a complete entertainment facility."

Construction of the Hard Rock Casino is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs. When finished, the Hard Rock Tejon is expected to employ 2,000 workers.

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Hard Rock Casino Tejon receives Federal approval

January 24, 2021

The Tejon Indian Tribe received federal approval on Jan. 8 to build a Hard Rock Casino 15 miles south of Bakersfield, CA. The plan includes a 166,500-square foot gaming floor, a 400-room hotel, event center, restaurants and an RV park.

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US Dept. of Interior approves construction for proposed Hard Rock Casino - Courtesy of KGET News, Jan 21, 2021. Available from YouTube

The casino will be a partnership between the Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Approval for the casino was issued in a letter from Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney dated January 8, 2021.

Gov. Gavin Newsom must now agree with the plan. If he does, the U.S. Department of Interior will take the tribe's 166 acres of land into federal trust allowing the casino to go forward.

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Proposed Hard Rock Casino near Bakersfield awaits federal decision

October 28, 2020

After a five-year review the U.S. Department of Interior will soon decide whether to approve a casino application from the Tejon Indian Tribe to build a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino south of Bakersfield, California. The decision is expected within 3-4 weeks.

The Tejon Tribe is proposing a $600 million casino with a 400-room hotel, Rock Spa and fitness center, 13 restaurants, a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, convention space, retail space and an RV park.

If the application is approved, the federal government will transfer the casino land into federal trust for the tribe. This removes the land from state regulations and places it under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulation.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has 30 days to decide whether the casino may proceed.

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Proposed Hard Rock Casino Tejon moves forward

July 13, 2020

Tejon Indian Tribe has reached a major milestone in its efforts to build a $600 million Indian gaming casino and hotel south of Bakersfield, California.

Last Wednesday the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public hearing to discuss a recently drafted Enviromental Impact Study on the 306-acre site for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon project. The environmental study began in 2015 and a draft report was completed last month. That report found little environmental impact will be created by construction of the project.

During the meeting the BIA sought public comments on the draft report. Many Kern County government officials and business leaders addressed the meeting and voiced their strong support for the casino. Their comments will be important and considered in final environmental impact statement.

"Today is important because it is a step toward reestablishing a tribal homeland for the Tejon Indian Tribe," said Tejon Tribe Chairman Octavio Escobedo.

Kern Economic Development Corp. President and CEO. Richard Chapman, made this comment:

"This is really a game changer. We've all heard about the $600 million impact of the project, but that does not count the future, new money coming into our economy. This is going to create much needed economic parity."

The tribe is seeking federal approval of the project to operate the casino under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. If the final environmental impact statement is approved, the Bureau of Indian Affairs will prepare to transfer the 306-acre site into federal trust for the Tejon Indian Tribe. The land-to-trust transfer grants sovereignty to the tribe and allows casino gaming under the regulation of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

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Tejon's Hard Rock Casino proposal wins Kern County support

July 24, 2019

In a 4-0 vote the Kern County Board of Supervisors approved a $218 million deal yesterday with the Tejon Indian Tribe to provide public safety services a proposed casino south of Bakersfield. The tribe would pay the county $218 million over 20 years for law enforcement, fire protection and other safety services .

The board's approval is an important milestone for the Tejon Indian Tribe in its progress towards winning federal approval to construct a casino on its reservation.

Tejon Tribe Chairman Octavio Escobedo was pleased with the 4-0 vote and said, "This is a truly historic day for the Tejon people. Everyone shares a vision of homeownership. This is our vision for a homeland."

The Tejon casino will be branded and managed by Hard Rock International. It will be a 165,500-square-foot casino with a 400-room hotel and include 13 restaurants and a concert venue.

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs is currently drafting an environment impact study. It will be presented to the U.S. Interior Department next year for a decision on whether or not the Hard Rock Tejon project should proceed.

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Tejon Indians and Kern County Seek Casino Agreement

July 19, 2019

The Tejon Indians have been negotiating an agreement with Kern County Administrative Office for compensating the county for police and fire services needed at the proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino south of Bakerfield.

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Kern County to propose $220 million agreement with Tejon Indian Tribe for hotel, casino - Courtesy of 23 ABC News | KERO-TV, . Available from YouTube

The Kern County Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposal during their July 23 session.

The plan includes a new sheriff and fire substation near the casino site, 13 new sheriff employees, 9 new fire employees and a gambling treatment program.

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Hard Rock Tejon Casino Project near Bakersfield

June 4, 2019

In a press release today the Tejon Indian Tribe announced their signing with Hard Rock International to develop and manage their casino project south of Bakersfield. Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The newly branded project is now the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon.

The plans call for $600 million to construct a Native American casino and hotel on a 306-acre parcel of farmland on the north side of Highway 166 between I-5 and Highway 99.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will include 13 restaurants and bars, a concert venue named Hard Rock Live, a Rock Spa and fitness center, the largest conference center in Kern County.

The timetable to the opening date is unknown. The next step toward federal approval will be completion of an environmental impact study later this year followed by a period for public review and comments. The results of that will determine if the Bureau of Indian Affairs gives a green light to proceed with the project.

Additional information about the partnership with Hard Rock International is available here in the Press Release issued by the Tejon Indian Tribe, June 4, 2019.

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Tejon Indian Tribe Announces Plans to Build Casino

June 2, 2015

Courtesy of KBAK-TV Bakersfield

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News Headlines Continued

2024

Tejon's Hard Rock Casino | New Construction Photos September 22, 2024 - If you are traveling south on Highway 99 from Bakersfield, you will see the construction site of the $1B Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon on the westside of the highway ... Read more Tejon Hard Rock will celebrate construction milestone September 26, 2024 - The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International will celebrate a major milestone next week in the construction of the $600-million Hard Rock Casino Tejon ... Read more Tejon Hard Rock Construction | March 2024 Update March 1, 2024 - Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Kern County, California is now officially underway following a ceremonial groundbreaking held last December. Earthmoving equip ... Read more

2023

Hard Rock Tejon Construction Update - Oct. 2023 October 8, 2023 - Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tejon, California, was expected to start this year. So far, nothing has happened, and there has been no updates from either Hard Rock officials or ... Read more Tejon Hard Rock to break ground on new $600M casino complex December 10, 2023 - Construction of the $600-million Tejon Hard Rock casino complex will begin this week following a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday Dec 14 ... Read more Hard Rock Casino Tejon will break ground by end of 2023 November 9, 2023 - Construction of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will begin before the end of the year. The announcement was made by the casino on social media. ... Read more

2022

Tejon Indians Win Final Approval for Hard Rock Casino! November 23, 2022 - There is tremendously great news for the Tejon Indian Tribe! The federal government has granted final approval for the Tejon Tribe to proceed with building the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon. ... Read more Hard Rock Tejon Awaits Final Approval September 30, 2022 - The final approval to build the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kern County will come from the U.S. Department of Interior. The Tejon Indian Tribe is now waiting for that decision. Local, county and state govern ... Read more Tejon casino's gaming compact ratified by California legislature September 5, 2022 - The California legislature has ratified a gaming compact between the state and the Tejon Indian Tribe. The tribe has partnered with Hard Rock Casinos to build a $600 million casino and hotel ... Read more Hard Rock Casino near Bakersfield gets final approval June 19, 2022 - The Tejon Indian Tribe has received final approval from Gov. Newsom to build a $600 million Hard Rock casino resort near Bakersfield in ... Read more

2021

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon moves forward July 21, 2021 - The Tejon Indian Tribe has announced the companies that will design and build the new Hard Rock Casino Tejon south of Bakersfield. CThe Tejon project will create more than 1,000 construction jobs ... Read more Hard Rock Casino Tejon receives Federal approval January 24, 2021 - The Tejon Indian Tribe received federal approval on Jan. 8 to build a Hard Rock Casino located 15 miles south of Bakersfield, CA. The plan includes a casino, hotel, event center, restaurants, RV park ... Read more

2020

Proposed Hard Rock Casino near Bakersfield awaits federal decision October 28, 2020 - After a five-year review the U.S. Dept. of Interior will soon decide whether to approve a casino application from the Tejon Indian Tribe to build a Hard Rock Casino south of Bakersfield ... Read more Proposed Hard Rock Casino Tejon moves forward July 13, 2020 - Tejon Indian Tribe has reached a major milestone in its efforts to build a $600 million Indian gaming casino and hotel south of Bakersfield, California. Last Wednesday the BIA held a public hearing on a drafted ... Read more

2019

Tejon's Hard Rock Casino proposal wins Kern County support July 24, 2019 - The Kern County Board of Supervisors has approved a $218 million agreement to provide public safety services to the Hard Rock Casino proposed ... Read more Tejon Indians and Kern County Seek Casino Agreement July 19, 2019 - Kern County and the Tejon Indians have been negotiating a 20-year services agreement for the proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Bakersfield. It includes police, fire, ... Read more Hard Rock Tejon Casino Project near Bakersfield June 4, 2019 - The Tejon Indian Tribe announced today it is partnering with Hard Rock International to develop and manage its casino hotel project south of Bakersfield. ... Read more

2015

Tejon Indian Tribe Announces Plans to Build Casino June 2, 2015 - The Tejon Tribe announced plans to build a casino near Mettler, CA about 25 miles south of Bakersfield. The location is 306 acres of farmland between Interstate 5 and Highway 99. ... Read more