Where to Find Casinos in the San Francisco Bay Area

Even though gambling as such is mostly illegal in California including church bingo, the San Francisco Bay Area has a number of casinos in easy reach beyond the Nevada casinos at Reno, Lake Tahoe or Las Vegas.  These casinos are either Indian owned casinos or local card rooms that exist under exceptions to the state law.

Most casinos in the Bay Area are card rooms where a series of games relating to chance can be played. These include poker and the various forms of this game including seven card stud, Texas hold 'em, Omaha stud and Pan games. Other games available include blackjack and double poker. California law limits table stakes and the number of raises during the game. Some casinos also charge a separate fee to sit in on a game. Here is a list of card rooms in the Bay Area:

Oaks Card Club

4097 San Pablo Avenue

San Pablo, CA

Palace Card Club

22821 Mission Blvd.

Hayward, CA

Lucky Buck Card Club

1620 Railroad Avenue

Livermore, CA

Kelly's Cardroom

480 O Street

Antioch, CA

Pete's 881 Club

721 Lincoln Avenue

San Rafael, CA

Lucky Chances Casino

1700 Hillside Drive

Colma, CA

Bay 101

1801 Bearing Avenue

San Jose, CA

Garden City Casino

360 South Saratoga Avenue

San Jose, CA

Of the casino's listed above, the most prominent is the Bay 101 Club which hosts several televised tournaments each year and is part of the World Wide Poker Tournament. Oaks Card Club is the oldest club in the Bay Area and features poker tournaments. Many of the other clubs are smaller, but provide challenging games for any players.

Indian casinos are also located in and close to the Bay Area. These casinos not only have card rooms, but include slot machines, craps, baccarat and other games of chance. Indian casinos look more like the casinos found in the gaming Meccas of Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Some are even full resorts, featuring hotels and other entertainment on site. The closest Indian casino is the San Pablo Lytton Casino located at 13225 San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo, CA. This is a drive up casino that has no hotel facilities, but it has a good selection of games and tables for its customers. The grounds are beautiful, and the parking lots are supervised whenever the casino is open.

Indian Casinos with hotels and local resorts near the Bay Area are listed below. These casinos are within a two hour drive of the Bay Area.

Cache Creek Casino Resort

14455 Highway 16

Brooks, CA

Colusa Indian Bingo and Casino

3770 Highway 45

Colusa, CA

Jackson Rancheria Casino

12222 Jackson Ranch Road

Jackson, CA

River Rock Casino

3250 Highway 128 East

Geyserville, CA

Running Creek Casino

Upper Lake, CA

If you plan to stay late at these casinos, it is a good idea to confirm your sleeping arrangements before you go. Most of the Indian casinos offer group rates and specials that can help make your visit very economical. Now get out there and hit the gaming tables!