Key Points:
- Premium Rooms in California’s West Tower start at $80 after fees and offer 333 SF – Larger than their base Deluxe Rooms.
- My room was impressive for Downtown Las Vegas with a new TV, enough space, and a quiet night’s sleep.
- The Cal has earned a coveted slot on my list of “go-to” hotels on/near Fremont Street.
I’m no stranger to California Las Vegas, affectionately known by most as “The Cal”.
Hours have been spent in their table games pit over the years, and I’m always down to pop in for a $5 Heineken or Modelo (offered at casino bars) when I’m in the neighborhood.
It’s the kind of resort that’s unpretentious without being a dump. The kind of place that just feels “homey”. It’s a good hang.
A personal milestone, California was the only Downtown Las Vegas hotel that I hadn’t logged a stay at. That ends now.
Room & Cost
Rooms at California start at around $65/nt after fees, and that’s for a base Deluxe Room, which is small at just 264 SF.
Premium Rooms come equipped with a more respectable 333 SF, and cost 25% more on average.
I was able to book a complimentary Premium Room, thanks to my play in the Boyd Rewards program.
Refreshingly, complimentary rooms through Boyd also cover the resort fee, so my 3-night stay was completely free.
Online check-in and room keys are available via the Boyd Rewards app, but my digital keys didn’t populate, so I was still forced to stop at the front desk to get a physical key.
A fun perk, you can choose your exact room from the hotel map when checking in via the app.
My digital key eventually showed up, but the Boyd app is certainly a bit clunky. I understand why it carries a 1.5-star rating in the Apple App Store.
Premium King Room Review
Common areas on the way up to your room often hint at what you can expect inside, and I thought The Cal made a great first impression for a budget-friendly property.
That genuinely nice vibe spilled into the room, which is nothing short of rock solid.
The carpet was plush, the furnishings were in great shape, the bed was comfortable, the A/C was rippin’, and, most importantly, the room was quiet throughout the night.
It may not be Wynn, Fontainebleau, or Crockfords, but this is quite nice for downtown Las Vegas.
People give me crap constantly for caring about TV quality in Vegas, but nothing beats drifting off to sleep to the sounds of a true crime story on in the background.
My rankings: Dateline > 20/20 > 48 Hours in that order. Keith Morrison’s silky voice is the perfect bedtime elixir.
Anyway.
The Cal didn’t offer a ton of channels, but the picture was crisp, and there was an on-screen guide.
An empty mini fridge is another appreciated amenity.
My view was terrible, but I was thrilled to see that I was low, ie: shielded from Fremont Street noise by Circa and The Cal’s other hotel tower.
The bathroom isn’t huge or fancy, but well lit and sharp. I especially appreciated the full-glass sliding door to prevent water from escaping.
The layout may resemble a motel, but the finishes were nicer.
What’s Not To Like?
When I review hotels, I aim to give you the whole story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.
My biggest gripe was the shutters, which did a miserable job of blocking out the morning sun. Even overnight, they allowed a ton of light pollution into the room through the slits.
There were also a few small cleanliness/maintainance issues that were minimally impactful, including debris on the floor, peeling gaskets in the shower, and a chipped-up bathroom door.
Resort Experience
Food & Drink
The Cal has 4 on-site restaurants: Aloha Specialties (Hawaiian), Market Street Cafe (Hawaiian), California Noodle House, and Redwood Steakhouse.
Lappert’s Ice Cream upstairs smelled amazing, next door to Ethel M Chocolates.
Despite staying for 3 nights, I didn’t dine on-site. Mostly because my dad and brother were staying over at Downtown Grand, so I ended up in that neck of the woods for most meals.
A couple of notables I enjoyed included breakfast at the D’s Bacon Nation, which is becoming a staple for me.
We just missed their $9.99 Downtown Daybreak special, which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, and toast from 7-9 am daily, so I ordered the $17.99 Double Daybreak instead, which includes 4 eggs, 4 pieces of bacon, 2 sausage links, and toast.
It was great.
For dinner, we swung into Triple George Steakhouse, where I ordered the $42 Chicken Parmesan, which is unbelievably flavorful. I’m not much of a “fine dining guy”, but this is one of my favorite meals in Vegas.
One deal I took advantage of early & often at The Cal, was $5 Heineken or Modelo bottles/16oz drafts at casino bars. The deal is also available at Boyd’s other downtown properties, Fremont and Main Street Station.
The price has increased from $3 and then $4 in recent years, but $5 is still reasonable and beats walking a few blocks to the ABC Store when it’s 110 degrees F.
The Cal is also connected to sister property, Main Street Station, via a climate-controlled walkway. Main Street Station is home to the last buffet open downtown (Check out my Garden Court Buffet review).
Nothing there will blow you away, but you won’t leave appalled either. It’s a good option for big eaters.
Main Street Station’s gaming floor is also among the prettiest in town.
The Pool
The pool is nothing special, but it exists, and it’s a well-maintained, uncrowded scene. I enjoyed my time out there.
I always have this uncontrollable urge to rip the biggest cannonball of my life when others are lounging in the pool, just to see their reaction after getting destroyed by my splash.
I’ve never done it, but my invasive thoughts will win one day.
Around the corner from the pool was a covered area with seating and a TV, which is a nice little alcove.
There wasn’t an employee checking keys or anything, so I get the impression BYOB would be acceptable. It may be against their actual policy (which I can’t find), but who’s going to stop ya?
The view was kind of cool too.
While I’d never dream of using a fitness center in Las Vegas, California’s looked nice.
The Casino
The casino was dealing $10 craps, 3:2 blackjack, and roulette during the day, but most minimums jumped to $15 at night.
It’s a good-looking, comfortable casino floor without trying too hard.
I love Circa (and that gargantuan sportsbook) as much as the next guy, but there’s something appealing about a small, intimate book too.
Boyd Rewards Loyalty Program
While I’ve thrown my share of dice at The Cal historically, I’ve shifted my volume play elsewhere. I’m nothing more than a “$20 here and $20 there” player at the Boyds nowadays.
Now, Boyd Rewards gave me a free room – For that I’m grateful – But the gaming and food & drink offers I receive from them are laughable.
I wouldn’t walk 3 blocks for $10 in free play, much less prioritize a stay/trip to chase that down.
I’ve given Derek Stevens’ Club One properties a similar amount of play over the years, and was surprised to see that I had $150 in monthly free play and a $75 monthly dining credit (which doesn’t need to be used in one shot)
If I’m looking to throw some actual money around downtown, I’m doing it at Circa, the D, or Golden Gate for that reason.
Verdict on my Premium Room at The Cal
The downtown Boyds are solid hotels, and California is no exception.
Fremont’s rooms are the nicest, but small and potentially loud AF, thanks to the property’s close proximity to the Fremont Street Experience.
Both The Cal and Main Street Station’s rooms are quietly nice, and (usually) much quieter than accommodations at Fremont. This was my room at Main Street Station.
I’m sure I’ve given, and will continue to give Boyd Rewards just enough play to continue earning complimentary room nights (even if the free play & dining credits are miniature), and I’ll use them. The rooms are above average for downtown Las Vegas, despite lacking “bells & whistles”.
The absence of resort fees on comped rooms also enhances the value proposition immensely.
My Premium Room was great. It was quiet, comfortable, had a great TV, and is on my short list of bookable hotels downtown. I can’t stand bone-rattling Fremont Street noise, nor will I tolerate a dump – The Cal exceeds expectations on both fronts.
If you’re looking for a cozy home base downtown, this could be the room for you.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.