Harrah’s Resort SoCal is as Serious About Sustainability as it is About Fun

Seriously Sustainable

 “One of the pillars of our identity is sustainability and environmental responsibility,” says John Houchin, who oversees the CodeGreen Initiatives at the property. “We were the first Caesars Entertainment property to adopt biodigester technology. Basically, all food waste is put into a machine where microbes eat up to 100 pounds of waste per hour, about 1200 pounds per day. The end product is water, which goes into a sewer that runs to our own waste water treatment plant. The microbes help breakdown the waste water, which is then recycled for irrigation and cooling.”

Look at any aspect of the operation, and you’ll find green innovations.

A one-megawatt solar plant takes care of a portion of their power needs, and they are currently working towards 90-99% percent efficiency. There are plans to integrate tesla power storage to store energy during off-peak time, and they continue to increase their solar abilities. They already have a very efficient heating and cooling system that harvests rejected heat from the airconditioning units and uses it to heat hot water.

But they continue to look for new ways to become even greener. One study they are currently exploring is the possibility of using geothermal energy to cool.

Chef Israel Ortiz oversees the nine on-site restaurants and bars.

“We only purchase seafood that is on the sustainability list, we buy responsibly sourced meat, and we are committed to sourcing as locally as we can,” he says. “We have found it challenging to find an area farm that can keep up with our demand for produce, but I’m excited about an exclusive sourcing deal that’s in the works right now with a farm in Escondido.”

Onsite they grow their own herbs, tomatoes, chilies, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant, squash, and hatch green chilies grown from seeds Ortiz brought with him from New Mexico. “Last year we produced over 1200 pounds of tomatoes. The soil on property is really good, and we continue to try growing more and more,” he says.

The craft cocktails at Spiked are make using local fruit and house-grown herbs, plus their own honey, harvested by the resident beekeeper.

Seriously Fun

Let’s talk about the pools for a minute. Enter the palm-lined oasis of the pool complex and you’ll be met with a large bar curtained by delicate mister spray. The small adjacent pool has submerged sun beds and a swim up bar. It is surrounded by Jacuzzis, one of which has its own waterfall. It is awesome.

Beyond the bar you’ll find a fire pit lounge, beer pong tables, corn hole boards, and an elevated stage where a DJ spins over the main pool. Plush lounges and umbrellas abound, day beds beckon, and cabanas stand like exclusive Bedouin tents around the perimeter. Tucked between groves of palms, there are, of course, more hot tubs.

Fountains bubble like lava around the stage. A volleyball net is hung over the water. Waitresses ferry impressive looking cocktails and platters of casual bites to tanning guests and those floating on innertubes in the pool. There are miniature floaties for the beverages as well, and they bob gently in their own little inflatable donuts like buoys.

The chill, pulsing sounds of house music emanate from the stage. Later in the evening, the DJ will be replaced by a live band. Interspersed with the music are sounds of laughter and the occasional delighted scream, followed by a splash.

There are no children here. Only happy groups of adults frolicking with childlike glee.

Inspired by the free-spirted vibe, and heavily spirited drinks, adult guests can be seen grabbing a floatation device heading over to brave the lazy river in the family friendly zone.

There cabanas are teaming with children and parents and a lazy river that rivals those found at water parks is an Amazonian adventure. Hop on your innertube and float under waterfalls, through a steam curtain, and under sprinklers that ensure everyone gets soaked. Kids will scream joyfully as they race past you. Families will form tube caravans and blockades.

Everyone who enters the river does so with a sense of humor. Most adults make it a single lap, before retreating back to their private poolside oasis.

The cabanas and daybeds can be reserved ahead of time for an additional fee that includes perks like a few beverages and snacks. The inclusive loungers are first come first serve, but you’ll want to get there early to enjoy the widest range of options in terms of location and shade.

That brings me to the ultimate question: To day pass or to overnight?

Only an hour from San Diego, a day pass excursion to Harrah’s is a beautiful thing. Soak up the sun, listen to chill jams, and enjoy a cocktail or two and some poolside lunch before making the easy drive home.

But, if you choose to stay the night, you can really let loose.

Drive up on a Friday evening after work and marvel at the gorgeous, mountainous landscape of Escondido. I seem to have a kind of chronic amnesia when it comes to the natural beauty of this inland area, and it takes my breath away every time.

You’ll find the suites to be large and comfortable. I stayed in the La Jolla and was thrilled to find that in addition to a generous-sized bedroom, soaking tub and massive walk in shower, it had a second bathroom just off the massive living and dining rooms. Bring your crew. There’s plenty of space.

But you aren’t here to stay in your room.

Head downstairs to the Spiked, a speak-easy style bar just off the casino floor. The bartenders are FANTASTIC, and so are the drinks. They offer a seasonal “secret menu” that takes full advantage of local ingredients. I tried the Full Montey, a tipple of amaro Montenegro, curacao, lemon juice, and their on-site harvested honey, garnished with a lemon wheel studded with cloves. It is a flavorful knockout.

Finish your tipple and head out to the pool to enjoy the live band. The music styles varies depending on the night, but it doesn’t really matter. The fun is in swaying next to a pool reflecting the moonlight with a drink in your hand. Don’t stay up too late, you want to get down to the pool bright and early to claim your perfect spot for the day.