The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International broke ground Wednesday on the next phase of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, a more than $725 million investment that will transform the property into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon, a full-service resort and entertainment destination in California.
The property sits on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, California, less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield. The expansion will add a hotel, spa, and convention space.
“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.”
Ceremony on tribal land
Tribal leaders gathered at the site with Hard Rock executives, elected officials, community leaders and project partners for the groundbreaking. Construction starts immediately after the ceremony, and the partners anticipate an opening in summer 2028.
The new phase follows the opening of Hard Rock Casino Tejon in November 2025. According to the parties, the property has since become a major entertainment and tourism destination for Kern County and California’s Southern San Joaquin Valley.
The development is expected to generate more than 1,500 construction jobs in the region. Once the hotel and new amenities open, the property will add 350 permanent positions, which will bring the total workforce at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon to more than 1,700 permanent positions.
Hotel at the core of the resort plan
A Hard Rock Hotel with 406 rooms, including 119 suites, will anchor the expansion. Guests will be able to book king or double-queen accommodations, and the accommodations will be 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 scope of work includes:
- 406 hotel rooms, including 119 suites
- 900 additional slot machines, for a total of 3,000 slots at the property
- Council Oak Steaks & Seafood
- Two additional dining outlets in The Marketplace
- A new Center Bar
- Multi-use convention and event space with three smaller meeting and conference rooms, pre-function space and an outdoor event lawn
- Two resort-style pools with cabanas and daybeds
- A Rock Spa with 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.”