Expansion adds 406-room hotel, 900 new slots, dining, spa and resort amenities to Kern County
The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International has celebrated the groundbreaking of the next major phase of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, a more than $725m investment that will transform the property into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, a full-service resort and entertainment destination.
Tribal leaders, Hard Rock executives, elected officials, community leaders and project partners gathered at the property today to commemorate the start of construction on the expansion, which will add a 406-room hotel, expanded gaming, new dining and entertainment offerings, convention and meeting space, resort-style pools and a full-service Rock Spa with an anticipated opening of Summer 2028.
The project is expected to create more than 1,500 construction jobs during development, representing another significant investment in jobs, tourism and economic activity in Kern County and the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
“Today marks another historic milestone for the Tejon Indian Tribe and the vision we have worked generations to achieve,” said Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe. “Hard Rock Casino Tejon has already created jobs, opportunity and economic benefits for our Tribe and the surrounding community. This next investment builds upon that success and brings us closer to our long-term vision of creating a world-class resort destination that will serve our guests, strengthen our regional economy and create opportunities for generations to come.”
The centerpiece of the expansion will be a Hard Rock Hotel, offering a range of king and double-queen accommodations including 119 suites complemented by resort style pools and a Rock Spa®. The hotel will complement an expanded collection of resort, dining, gaming, meeting and entertainment amenities.
The expansion will include 406 hotel rooms, including 119 suites, 900 additional slot machines, bringing the property to 3,000 slots, multi-use convention and event space, including three smaller meeting and conference rooms, pre-function space and an outdoor event lawn, two resort-style pools featuring cabanas and daybeds and Rock Spa, featuring 13 treatment rooms.
“This groundbreaking represents an exciting next chapter for Hard Rock Casino Tejon,” said Mike Bean, Property President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon. “In less than a year, this property has established itself as a premier gaming and entertainment destination in California. The addition of the hotel and these exceptional resort amenities will allow us to elevate the guest experience even further, attract visitors from across California and beyond, and create a true destination resort that reflects the energy, hospitality and entertainment Hard Rock is known for around the world.”
The addition of the hotel and amenities will create 1,500 construction jobs, as well as an additional 350 permanent positions, bringing Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon to more than 1,700 permanent positions.
The expansion follows the successful opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon in November 2025. Located on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield, the property has quickly become a major entertainment and tourism destination for Kern County and California’s Southern San Joaquin Valley.
Construction on the expansion begins immediately following today’s groundbreaking ceremony.