Once in Sta. Barbara and you drive north thru the Santa Inez Mountains, the views are spectacular. This casino is always busy. If your lucky you will do well on the slots. In the high limit I have lost up to $3000.00 but, I have made $12,000.00. The machines do pay.
On the penny machines I have made $3500.00 or $750.00. Sometimes nothing. The cigarrett smoke does not bother me. I can tolerate it for a couple of days specially if I am winning. I did see a young girl win $15,750.00 on the penny pirate machine. I could not believe my eyes.
The buffet has gone down in quality. Maybe they have to change the chef or give him more money in order to buy better meats. Their prime rib is terrible. Their ice cream use to be made with real milk, now they add a lot of water. The willows restaurant is outstanding. Their steaks are the best and the fish is fresh and well prepared. I also love their fresh made bread. The wine selection is superb with great service. I highly recommend it.
The rooms at the hotel are nice. Once you stay at the Wynn in Las Vegas, nothing comes close to their rooms or bed. But, I am not complaining.
They have terrific entertaiment but, they do not have a theater. Its a whole bunch of chairs put together and its not worth it. Its time they built one and they will get the people in and happy.
If you have some time during the afternoon take a drive thru Solvang, they have some great places that are out in the woods and you drive thru dirt roads at the end of one of these is a fruit farm where you pick your own fruit and place the money in the basket. No one is wkg. at the cashier or at the farm. The old honor society. We had so much fun picking strawberrys. That is hard work and my heart goes out to anyone that does this for a living. They also sell "Sta. Inez Sage Blossom Honey". You will thank me for it if you find it. Its the best honey you will ever have. If you are there on a Sunday drive to Cold Spring Tavern (15 minute drive from the Casino). You will love this place, its where the old stage coach use to stop. They have a tavern with BBQ Tri Tip sandwich that are delicious. They have a guy on the harmonica and a guy with a guitar and they do entertain you. You sit on logs or wood tables that every one shares and its all outside under the Eucalytus trees. Great afternoon. What can I say I love Sta. Barbara and the Sta. Inez Valley.
I hope this helps you, good luck and I might see you there. Ciao

We didn't stay here but came for the buffet on Christmas Day. Living in N. CA and familiar with an Indian casino's buffet in our area, we figured this would be good. We know it was a holiday - Christmas - BUT .......... the parking garage was packed. We paid full price due to the 40 or so people in line to get a club card to get $5 off dinner. We were hungry and didn't want to wait. We didn't have too long a line to get in, but the buffet line is like a cafeteria line ........ meaning "no stations" just one long line which you had to get into every time you went back for more food, even if what you were going back for was halfway down the line. The food was fine, not worth the $27 per person we paid, but .............. we had enough to eat. We didn't find the people particularly friendly except the lady who was assigned to our table. We didn't think the casino was overly smoky. We didn't gamble, but returned to our hotel up the coast for a good night's rest, a little disappointed in our Christmas dinner.

We didn't actually stay at the hotel, we took a day drive from Los Angeles for the casino. The drive was OK, typical day before Thankgiving traffic. The resort had ample parking, and even though it was the day before a holiday had no problem finding blackjack tables and slots to sit at. My only gripe: no alcohol. I've never been to a dry casino before, the cocktail waitresses server coffee and soda. The machines and tables were friendly that day, and we all walked out a little ahead, All in all, just a pleasant day. Also, had a nice lunch in the cafe, and played a few more hands before making the drive back to LA. The area around the casino is quite picturesque. The surrounding towns were the location of the movie Sideways. So if part of your group is not into casinos, or you've just had enough, venture into Solvang for food, and wine tasting.

i may be a bit loyal,but then i can tell you this,chumash casino is friendly and accomadating and i rearley gamble anywhere else!!
i am a long time chumash patron,my brother and i were the first thru the new doors when they moved from the tents!!
i have spent many wonderful nights in their clean and comfortable beds and rooms.we have experianced massages(on my bucket list)we had a his and hers couples massage"outstanging"
i find the food in the buffet wonderful,the strawberry crepes with wipped cream and ice cream are to die for!!
now i can"t leave out the people who make this place work,the blackjack dealers,always friendly no matter what they may be going thru at home,its left at the door when they serve us.The beverage personal,maids and all the guards and Hosts(wes)is mine,you are all wonderful workers!!!
to all of you who come thru the chumash casino doors,you may win,you may loose,they call it gambling,but you will always have fun,if you let yourself!!!Life is short so please consider treating yourself to some time away at this wonderful place!!