At Chumash Casino you can pretend you're in Las Vegas even though you're in Santa Barbara County! When you walk in the main entrance, the neon-lit chandelier and fountain cascading below it are impressive and give you that Las Vegas rush. This sounds silly but the ride in the golf cart from your parked car to the casino is also a lot of fun. At night you feel the breeze shoot through your hair and it sets the mood for a fun night out. The gambling area at Chumash Casino isn't the greatest because smoking is allowed. The non-smokers have their own section upstairs but it's kind of dead.

For a smoke-free night out, choose a concert over gambling. Top pop, rock, country, and blues artists perform. The concert hall in Chumash Casino is a GREAT venue! There are no bad seats in the entire hall. You can see everything even from the back. Beautiful lighting and stage curtains add to the effect, and the audience is appreciative and enthusiastic. One of the memorable parts of attending a concert at Chumash Casino is the drive out there, on Highway 154. As the sun goes down over the endless golden fields dotted with solitary trees, you feel surrounded by nature. You couldn't get a prettier spot for a casino!!
Once a year, the Chumash tribe hosts a pow wow for tribes across the country. It's lovely to go to the land where it's held and take in the atmosphere (corner of Meadowvale Road and Hwy 246 in Santa Ynez, starting Oct 1, 2022). There are jewelry and pottery booths lit with lanterns under the big trees. The high hills surround you. American Indian girls in homemade hide dresses with braided hair and boys with feathers on their head chat in groups. There's a Chumash hut where kids can play and storytelling sessions take place during the day. A plank canoe called a tomol is on display. The best part is the drumming by the tribal elders that sends a powerful vibration through the ground and into your body and fills the night with excitement.
Check out Santa Ynez town and Solvang town while you're in the area!

Directions

Chumash Casino is located at 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez, CA 93460, call 1 (800) 248-6274.
From Highway 101 southbound, take Highway 154 east for 8 1/2 miles, then turn right on Highway 246 west. When you come to the Edison Street intersection, turn left on Sanja Cota Ave. This is the driveway for the casino.
Or from Highway 101 northbound, take Highway 154 west for almost 24 miles and then turn left on Highway 246 west. When you come to the Edison Street intersection, turn left on Sanja Cota Ave. This is the driveway for the casino.
Park in the parking structure and a golf cart will pick you up and take you for free to the casino.
The annual pow wow is held at the  corner of Meadowvale Road and Hwy 246 in Santa Ynez, CA.
The pow wow is held in October on a weekend. No pets are allowed and there's no alcohol.

Click on map for interactive view