Hard Rock Tejon Breaks Ground on $725M Hotel Expansion as Resort Vision Moves Forward
METTLER, Calif. - The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International officially broke ground Wednesday on a more than $725 million expansion of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, launching construction of a 406-room hotel and a broad collection of new resort amenities that will transform the property into a full-scale destination resort.
[ No Ads ]Hard Rock Casino Tejon breaks ground on 15-story hotel ahead of 1-year anniversary - Courtesy of KBAK - KBFX, Oct 22, 2026. Available from YouTube
#1 ALL-IN-ONE Casino Favorite!The project represents the second major phase of development for the Kern County gaming property and is expected to culminate with the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in summer 2028.
Tribal leaders, Hard Rock executives, elected officials, community leaders and project partners gathered at the property for the ceremonial groundbreaking, marking another milestone less than a year after the casino debuted in November 2025.
"Today marks another historic milestone for the Tejon Indian Tribe and the vision we have worked generations to achieve," Tejon Indian Tribe Chairman Octavio Escobedo III said in announcing the project. Tribal officials said the expansion builds upon the economic impact already generated by the casino while advancing a long-term vision of creating a major resort destination in California's Southern San Joaquin Valley.
406-Room Hotel Will Anchor Expansion
The centerpiece of the development is a new Hard Rock Hotel featuring 406 guest rooms, including 119 suites. The hotel will convert the existing casino property into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon and provide the resort's first on-site lodging component.
Beyond the hotel, the expansion will include:
- 900 additional slot machines, bringing the property's total to 3,000.
- Council Oak Steaks & Seafood.
- Two additional dining outlets within The Marketplace.
- A new Center Bar.
- Two resort-style pools featuring cabanas and daybeds.
- A Rock Spa with 13 treatment rooms.
- Convention and event facilities, including meeting rooms, pre-function space and an outdoor event lawn.
The additions are designed to expand the property's appeal beyond gaming and position Hard Rock Tejon as a regional destination for leisure travelers, conferences and entertainment events.
Construction Expected to Create Jobs
According to project officials, the expansion is expected to generate more than 1,500 construction jobs during development and create approximately 350 additional permanent positions once the hotel and associated facilities open.
When complete, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon is expected to employ more than 1,700 permanent team members.
Property President Mike Bean said the project reflects the rapid success of the casino during its first year of operations and represents the next chapter in the property's evolution.
"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," Bean said.
Next Phase Begins Less Than One Year After Opening
Hard Rock Casino Tejon opened in November 2025 on Tejon Indian Tribe land near Interstate 5 in Mettler, about 15 miles south of Bakersfield. The property currently features approximately 150,000 square feet of gaming space, 2,100 slot machines, more than 60 table games and multiple dining venues.
With construction now underway, tribal and company officials expect the expansion project to significantly increase tourism, employment and economic activity throughout Kern County while establishing Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon as one of California's newest integrated resort destinations.
Sources: Hard Rock International announcement, Tejon Indian Tribe, KGET Bakersfield, Hotel News Resource, InterGame.
