I worked at the Cal for almost 20 years. I started at the Market Street Cafe as a bus boy, now I'm a part-time dealer and floor supervisor at the Cal / Fremont! Nice to see you and Mr. Ruby doing downtown properties too!
Most of these downtown hotels seem so much nicer than they were just 5-7 years ago... It's like they all updated/refreshed their properties at the same time... Time for another Vegas visit!
Great video Ruby. Confession time. Went to LV for the first time in the 70's. Gambled at the California Hotel with my Mom and brother. I was only 16. The casino would play an 1800's gold rush song at the top of the hour. It was 3 minutes long. If you won a jackpot during that time they would double it. That's how I won $600 and bought my first car. I have no idea why I wasn't thrown out. 😁
My mom is 93 years old and this spring break she wants to go 1 more time, possibly the last time, and she is really lucky person( good karma ) if you see a small Japanese lady rolling the dice and making everyone shout out and yelling, she's on a HOT streak! All men and 1 old lady going OFF! Imagine that! Aloha from westside Oahu!
The reason is Boyd Gaming gives special discounts on rooms, meals, drinks, casino rewards to Hawaii residents that no other travelers get. Boyd spends millions each year on marketing the Cal Hotel Casino to Hawaii, well known in the tourism biz for over 25 years.
Ruby, you do an excellent job of reviewing restaurants, and hotel stays....personally, i think you do a much better job doing this than so called "EXPERT" travel channels do....much appreciated, and thank you for doing this....
So I used to work in hotels and usually while renovating/cleaning they go room to room to save money…. Also sometimes a dept manager can slip and start depending on customers to tell them when things are dirty 😩 so when staying at older properties, always go to the room before settling in and check it out. If there are any issues, like a dirty floor, you can ask to be moved to another room and they’ll clean that carpet. I don’t do dirty carpet, my slippers cants get dirty. 😅 Btw I always love your fits!
Awesome video Ruby! The Cal is one of my favorite casinos to visit everytime I come to Vegas. Market Street Cafe is known for their oxtail soup at night, you should see the lines for it :) One of the nice things I like about Boyd is they're pretty generous with comp nights, and their comp room offers don't have resort fees, so truly comped!
Thank you Ruby, haven't been to the California since the 1990s, my late with stayed there on our honeymoon. 💕. You guys are so sweet for bringing back my memories. Much love to you ❤❤❤❤
Noooooo. Don't tell everyone about the Cal. I love it. Everyone just assumes that all the hotels downtown are dumps. This is always the first hotel I check when coming to Vegas. Great for video poker players, as are most Boyd properties.
Thanks for another informative review! That property has been there for several decades, I'm glad that they're staying on top of it.I don't think I've ever seen an empty pool like you had there. The food looked delicious! Thanks again Ruby!
Back in the 90s and 00s, the Redwood Grill had an off-menu Porterhouse steak special that could not be beat. It was $18 the last time I had it, included a salad, side, and cherries jubalee for dessert.
For anybody who has never been. Go out of your way for Aloha specialties. Very casual great food. Going to vegas next month and always make it to the california
Good to know! It could be an option if we decide to try Fremont area for a stay! I truly appreciate quality sleep, and it seems rare to find in downtown. Thanks, very good work as always, Ruby! and Mr. Ruby!
Ruby, that is a great review of the California casino hotel. I liked the info about the second floor where shops are located as well as the full description of your premium room. 👍
Ruby have you ever considered a short hair style? When you were at the pool on the chair speaking, your hair was up and that length, from the front, looked perfect! Loved it! Thanks for the great videos!
Thanks for the review Ruby. The California is my main hotel casino in Vegas although I haven't been back to Vegas for a while and I wanted to see the changes before my next trip in November. Thank you for trying out Redwood. I was wondering about it. Looks good. Unfortunately during the time we're going they will be closed on weekdays. You should have gotten a scoop at Lappert's. It is the BEST ice cream! Macadamia nut is awesome! Thanks again. BTW: I was waiting for the shot of you rubbing the Buddha statue.
Hey Ruby ! So when I was on Freemont in May I meant to check out the California as it’s one of the few places I haven’t been to . Unfortunately after several cocktails at the mob museum speakeasy and Whiskey 🥃 Licker Up I was a tad too tipsy to make it in there lol . Cool review as always . Hope you and Mr Ruby are liking your first summer as Vegas residents 😎😎😎
new subscriber here. also, i'm from hawaii. it's pretty neat to see the california hotel being reviewed. i never thought it would be. lol. that's the place to be if you want to be in vegas but still see all the hawaii people...haha
Thanks for this video. This looks like a solid property to stay in for a night or two. Boyd casinos have excellent V-P options. Excellent location; steps from Circa, and the walkway to Main Street Station is a definite plus.
I love this vlog, always professionally done. You are bringing customers to Boyd gaming and it would be nice if they comped all of your expenses. Always a "must see" if a Vegas trip is forthcoming. The photographer "Mr. Ruby" does such a great job!
Boyd Gaming is mega stingy with their employees pay & benefits and customer loyalty program- B Connected Card, it got worse during the COVID 19 crisis. Their slots are notorious for being too tight even downtown.
I stayed in the same style room as you guys in the West Tower. Love the huge TV . The Market Street Cafe has a great nightly prime rib dinner special which even comes with Cherries Jubilee for desert .
Ruby, you’re killing me with the food. I’m in Florida and most high end restaurants, if they even have escargot, they don’t serve any dipping bread with it. I’d go just for that, until I saw the desert. Awesome Review thanks so much!
I'm beyond pale, and love the shaded pool. Always love your content and style... Edit: One of my old bosses dealt Craps for Harrah's Tahoe. He said a shooter started his pass as my boss took the stick. My boss cycled through the stick, both dealer spots, and break (all 20 minutes each), and when he got back from break, the guy was still on the dice, sevening out about 10 minutes later.
The ice cream shop on the second floor is the best. But I didn't see the friendliest face in Vegas when I was there this week. I hope Nikki is doing good
Great! I’ve been waiting for someone to do a review on this property. Very little footage or reviews of the California! Thanks for doing this, super helpful!
The California Hotel & Casino is the main place where most Hawaii people stay when visiting Las Vegas(then Main Street Hotel , then Fremont Hotel). Did you notice how many people were wearing slippahs(flip-flops) & had dark tans?. I would guess that at least 75% of the hotel has Hawaii people staying in it at any given time, this is why you have Hawaii Style food on the menu & a Hawaii plate lunch place upstairs(Aloha Specialties). Most Hawaii people know about the pool upstairs, but won't use it because why go to a pool when you have some of the best beaches in the world back home?. Also, Hawaii people mostly tend to not be loud party animals & try to respect everyone's peace & quiet when in the rooms(the only downside to the rooms, depends on what side of the tower you're on=sometimes the train can get loud). The "chill vibe" you got is how you would feel if you went to Hawaii........Aloha Ruby!
Great review of the Cal Ruby! Our ‘home-away-from-home’ in Vegas is Main St Station, but we have stayed at the Cal several times when we couldn’t get rooms at MSS. The Premium rooms at the Cal are definitely the way to go…the deluxe rooms in the other tower are nice but very small compared to the Premium. The Redwood has been one of our go to restaurants, really delicious food and great atmosphere and good prices, and their sides are very reasonably priced and totally shareable for at least 2 or 3 people. Can’t go wrong with a meal there! We are from Hawaii, so the ‘Aloha Vibe’ is what we prefer for sure. We NEVER stay on the strip, and never play there either - too expensive, too many people, too crazy! We much prefer the mellowness of downtown (although Fremont Street has definitely gotten crazier!). We just stayed a night at Main St Station in one of their newly remodeled rooms - a wonderful, much needed facelift there! They will be completely done with the remodeling in November I believe so you’ll have to another review there soon. Keep up the great work Ruby and Mr. Ruby! Aloha!! 👍🌴🤙
Us Hawai'i folx all love the California Hotel to eat or gamble.... even if we aren't staying in their hotel rooms, it's still the comfortable and familiar vibe that we like when visit from Hawai'i 🌺
My wife and I have stayed at the CAL on numerous occasions. I assume that parking is still free. I would always get the reuben sandwich at the Market Street Cafe with cheesecake for dessert. I also enjoyed a couple of 20 oz craft brews and chicken wings at the Brew House in the Main Street Casino which is connected to the CAL. No need for a designated driver. Finally, I would play craps and double deck blackjack at the CAL and my wife enjoyed the old school slots. Take care.
I love the California Hotel & Casino. We usually stay at that property because it is off the Freemont Street but close enough where you can enjoy the activities of Freemont. You mentioned California had the only buffet downtown. Golden Nugget has a wonderful buffet upstairs also. They also have the shark tank pool; however, it does close down during the winter months.
thank for showing downtown properties I think they are seriously underrated if not often over looked. Still trying to talk my wife into staying downtown when we visit
On the craps Wall of Fame lots of folks from Hawaii rolling monster rolls!!! Rooms look great! Love the Cal! Um, that meal looked better then Oscars and all that for $180!!!!! OMG
Great Review! Thanks for being detailed about everything. I enjoy the glitz, glitter, and fast pace of Vegas but when I'm ready to call it a night I enjoy peace and quiet. I'm so glad you told us the room was comfortable and quiet. I'll definitely consider the California my next Vegas Trip.
I have so much fun downtown, walking and listening to live music...the laid back atmosphere is great. The mega resorts are great too but feels like non stop walking. The noise can be tough so this is a good option, thx.
I stayed at the Cal once. A long time ago. I don't recall the room so I'm pretty sure it was 'just a room', unremarkable, but I do remember we got off the elevator and the hallway to our last down the hallway room reminded me of "The Shining". Very loooonnnnngggg hallway.
I loved staying at The Cal! It was also nice that if I wanted to take the former SDX bus from the strip to downtown, they had a bus stop at the casino.
First to comment Old Downtown is one of my favorite gambling stops, Ruby. I love the reviews you do for the Vegas casinos (and your gambling on your slots channel) 🤗 2:56-4:13 love your swimsuit, Ruby 🤩 Pink definitely suits you 🩷
No coffee maker? The Hotel California has some good eateries. The best buffett downtown is at Main Street Station. I like Boyd Properties. That was one good roll that guy had. $10 craps table, go play. That is rare. If you take the bus on Main Street to North Las Vegas Blvd. you can get to Jerry's Nugget. The Redwood Grille is good. My wife and I liked to eat at William B's at the Stardust Hotel. Another Boyd Group Hotel. It got torn down some decades ago. Market Street Cafe is nice. I like to eat there. California Hotel or Main Street Station are good.
I go to Redwood every time I go to Vegas. One of my favorite places to eat, worth leaving the strip for! That Apple dumpling dessert is amazing, always get one, always. That thing still haunts me!
Yes at the California a few times between 2005 and 2010 and loved it. There was a giant Buddha in the lobby and we'd rub his belly for luck. That steak house was smaller and closed eventually for renovations. We had amazing service there and the food was great. I live here now and I'm going to have to check it out again. We stopped staying there because of the kinda scary people outside on the street. I'm glad they cleaned that up. I usually only love you and Mr gambling but this one was really nice. Great job❤️
Never realized part of Boyd. The food looked real good with good size portion. Appeared everyone having fun, pool looked weak but by yourself was good.
Dinner was $180 and prices are reasonable...excuse me! Go to the Fremont for $8.95 Prime Rib between 4:30-6:30...It's delicious. Later in the evening you can get steak and lobster for $9.99. Four Queens...no resort fee but it can be a little noisy until 1 AM.
We spent an afternoon/evening between the Station and California last year ... Really enjoyed a lunch at the Marketplace ( nice folks working there ) . Thanks for keeping us Canucks current💖
Good review! I like the Cal too because it has a lot of Hawaiian clients and that makes the Cal one of the friendliest casino hotels in downtown and in Las Vegas. The customers and staff are laid back Hawaiian style which makes it a fun place to stay and play. 👍
That fried SPAM looked good. Slice it up fry it with some garlic powder, pepper, accent but NO SALT! Eat with some rice and fried egg on top with a drop of soy sauce. So delicious!! Was born in Hawaii, our family has picky eaters but everyone of us love spam & rice! Great review! Loved you having pool to yourself! Looked very relaxing the whole video.
OK, I joined your channel. I like your reviews, no fluff but midwest polite. You sold me on the California as I like to stay one night downtown for the silliness. Please don't change or sell out. Staying honest keeps you sleeping well at night.
Well done! I've enjoyed playing at the California but hadn't thought about staying there -- or its steakhouse -- until now! One thing: the place has an interesting history re. its Hawaiian staff and customers; you might include some info on that should you revisit the place.
Being from Hawaii, prior to Covid; I would stay at the Cal at least three times a year via "Vacations Hawaii". Went to Vegas the other year once they opened up after the depths of Covid and found it not the same. I was sad. Of course there were many 'health' restrictions in place at that time. I'll be staying at "The Cal" in several weeks' time. I'm hoping the old-time vibes will be back.
