The Yosemite region soft launched it’s newest property this summer, and in anticipation of it’s official grand opening, I checked in to experience it myself. If you’re planning a trip and have been asking yourself where to stay in Yosemite, this is it. Named Chicken Ranch Casino Resort after the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, this property stands out and lives up to its name.
The resort features a beige, brown, red and gold color scheme and offers design elements suggested by tribal council members involved in the building process. These include geometric patterns in the rugs on the marble flooring; wood accents and panneling; chevron patterns in the high ceilings; and a main window with gold chevron patterns looking out over the resort entry drive. It’s a welcome departure from the gaudy glitz and glam of other casino resorts, offering upscale vibes that mesh with the natural beauty that surround the property.
When pondering the question of where to stay in Yosemite, rest assured this upscale resort combines the thrill of a top-tier casino with the amenities, dining and comforts of a high-end retreat. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast eager to explore the park or someone looking to unwind in style, Chicken Ranch Casino Resort provides the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and entertainment.
You can’t miss Chicken Ranch Casino Resort — this massive nine-story resort spans 100,000 square feet. Once inside, you’ll quickly find the eclectic chicken-centric artwork that decorates the property very on brand. It has an estimated 1000 slot machines and over a dozen table games, in addition to 175 luxe guest rooms and 22 suites, several excellent restaurants, a beautiful pool and set of hot tubs, and even 12,000-square-foot conference and event center.
Right off Highway 49 in Jamestown, the property offers sprawling views of the surrounding foothills of Tuolumne County from most of the guest rooms. But perhaps the best part? How close it is to one of the country’s most epic national parks.
Wondering where to stay in Yosemite? Read on to find out why the brand new Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is your answer!
How To Get There
Planning a getaway to Yosemite means finding the perfect place to stay is essential for an unforgettable experience. When asking where to stay in Yosemite, you want to consider key things like food and fun that’s outside the park. With Yosemite’s vast and scenic—but often remote—landscape, having a resort as your base can make unwinding after a day of adventure all the more rewarding. The newly opened Chicken Ranch Resort Casino isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a destination in itself, offering excellent dining options and excitement right in the heart of the Yosemite region.
It’s about 128 miles from San Francisco and will take you two and a half to three hours to get to the property. The drive is straightforward and much less harrowing than your typical windy, mountainous drive to Lake Tahoe — another favorite California destination of mine.
Reaching Chicken Ranch Casino Resort from San Francisco is a scenic and straightforward drive, making it an ideal escape from the city. The 128 mile drive is much less harrowing than your typical windy, mountainous drive to Lake Tahoe — another favorite California destination of mine. In just about two and a half hours, you’ll transition from the urban energy of San Francisco to the serene landscapes of the Sierra foothills.
The drive takes you through rolling hills, vineyards, farm land and picturesque valleys. With clear signage and well-maintained roads, this route is convenient for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers. Located just off Highway 120, Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is perfectly positioned as a gateway to Yosemite.
Rooms & Amenities
When asking myself where to stay in Yosemite, I wanted to make sure the accommodations were roomy and comfortable for both my dad and I. My suite at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort was modern and chic and offered an amazing view of the valley from the balcony — my favorite part of the room. With Aztec printed rugs, modern mirrors, and eclectic artwork in their overall room design, the room felt very contemporary and homey.
It was spacious — particularly the bathroom with the double sinks — and offered amenities like the Nespresso machine, complimentary slippers and robes and a 65-inch Smart TV. And each day our bathroom was restocked with luxury bathroom soap amenities which was such a nice touch!
Chicken Ranch Casino Resort offers a huge pool and two hot tubs overlooking the valley, in addition to a state-of-the-art workout room.
Gaming and Entertainment
The gaming experience at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is nothing short of exhilarating, offering something for every kind of player. Just ask my dad who literally won over $500 on one of their slot machines! With a wide array of slot machines, table games, and exciting new options, this casino delivers endless entertainment in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. The dealers are super nice, the machines are brand new and shiny and one of the major draws? The casino is smoking free which is such a bonus for people who hate smoke like us.
Right in the middle of it all is Quill Bar — a show stopping cocktail bar with craft libations like the Rooster with whiskey, coffee liqueur and a flamed orange peel and the Bird of Paradise with pear brandy, berry syrup, orange liqueur and butterfly pea flower. We loved taking a break from the gaming to enjoy a few fancy cocktails in the middle of the floor. Guests who get hungry can also easily grab a juicy burger from Wahlburgers, which is right in the mix of the casino too.
Whether you’re trying your luck at blackjack, spinning the slots, or enjoying the thrill of poker, the energy on the gaming floor is contagious, creating an electric vibe that resonates throughout the property. Beyond just gaming, Chicken Ranch Casino Resort hosts regular promotions, tournaments, bingo and themed events, giving visitors even more chances to win big and have a great time. When it comes to where to stay in Yosemite, this is one place you won’t be bored at after sundown.
Unmatched Proximity to Yosemite National Park
The biggest perk of making Chicken Ranch Casino Resort your home base for your Yosemite getaway is the fact that it’s only an hour from the park. Good to know? If you don’t feel like making the drive yourself, the property can set you up with a guide and tour. During our stay, we got picked up at the hotel at 7am by Echo Adventure Cooperative. This is a worker-owned company that offers super fun, educational tours and guided adventures of Yosemite. They offer tons of activities from fly fishing and snowshoeing to rafting and hiking.
Choosing both where to stay in Yosemite, and more over the right time for a getaway can be tricky, but being there during one of the most beautiful seasons in the park — fall — was unbeatable. The vibrant colors in the park were outstanding. Yellows, oranges and reds shined throughout the alpine green of the park. Plus, it’s not cold enough to have to bundle up or have snow tires. Win win.
Our fantastic guide, Bryant, has been guiding visitors through the Yosemite wilderness since 2011. In addition to showing us an incredible day of views and vantage points, he was a wealth of knowledge and really curated our tour to what we wanted to see. Our favorite stops included Tunnel View, Valley View, El Capitan and, of course, Half Dome.
Restaurants, Cocktail Bars & Rooftop Dining
As a journalist who covers food, and as someone who believes that a great vacation should come with great food, the dining at a property I visit is important. It’s definitely something I heavily considered when contemplating where to stay in Yosemite. I can safely say we were pleasantly surprised at how delicious the cuisine at Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is. The property offers several signature restaurants and bars, ranging from a fast casual to an elevated, fine dining concept.
Breakfast & Lunch
For a quick breakfast or bite to eat, we enjoyed Trailblazer Coffee Co. which looks like an actual wagon, offering a variety of coffee drinks, teas, pastries and sandwiches. Come the afternoon, enjoy happy hour from 2pm-6pm, where they serve spiked beverages like the espresso old fashioned and avalanche with Bailey’s.
On the second floor, TWLV offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting with undeniably delicious dishes. From classics like the hand-rolled cheesy buttermilk biscuits and house made gravy and fried chicken with a Belgian waffle to sweets like the apple pie French toast and a variety of scrambles and omelettes, its a great spot to start the day.
For lunch and dinner, the menu offers everything from huge, chopped-to-order salads and handhelds like the surprisingly tasty Vietnamese sausage bahn mi and chicken Philly to hearty entrees that include pastas, a meatloaf with Italian sausage and blackened salmon. There’s something for everyone. But the fried chicken in particular was killer, don’t miss out.
Fine Dining
When it comes to fine dining, we thoroughly enjoyed Perch, the property’s rooftop restaurant and bar. This area lacks in the fine dining department, so when considering where to stay in Yosemite, this is a perfect choice for people with good taste. Perch offers panoramic views of the foothills from within the restaurant and is absolutely gorgeous at sunset. Adjacent to the dining space is an expansive deck with fire pits, lounge chairs and mood setting tea lights — a perfect place to kick off dinner with wine or cocktails.
The menu is a global American fusion, with a variety of starters ranging from iberico ham and a Mediterranean-inspired braised octopus to fresh seafood and raw bar items and an impressive buttermilk soaked bone marrow. The menu features signature dishes that include a Tuscan shrimp pasta and wagyu beef burger, as well as impressive cuts of meat ranging from a 14 oz ribeye to a Kobe A5 steak. I ordered the Porterhouse pork chop which blew me away, while my dad raved about the grilled rack of lamb.
From seafood dishes like a San Francisco-style cioppino loaded with seafood to seared scallops with a vanilla bean beurre blanc, come hungry. They even have a section for a la carte starches like the to-die-for sweet potato crumble and the truffle mashed potatoes.
On the beverage side of things, Perch has an extensive cocktail list with classics, libations with a twist and fancy house offerings like the Business as Yuzu-al with Japanese whiskey, yuzu, ginger and citrus bitters; a nice list of wines and beers; and even mocktails.
Where to Drink
On property is also (209) Sports Bar + Kitchen. It offers “souper bowls” like their Best Darn Bison Chili and fun “pre-game” bites like their Nacho Average Ahi Poke and Taco Bout Korean Short Ribs. Also on the menu are hand tossed brick oven pizzas and full entrees like the Pork Yeah Porchetta Pasta and the MVP ribeye with crispy brussels sprouts. From signature drinks and classic cocktails, to beers, wines and mocktails, you won’t be thirsty.
Lastly, we loved the vibes at Proper & Plume Cocktail Lounge — the property’s very Instagrammable hotspot. I was obsessed with the flamingos and rich, playful color scheme! Their cocktails were so tasty and — obviously — pretty. From the Purple Colada with ube and coconut to Spa Day Spritz with St. Germain and cucumber & mint vodka, these fun cocktails hit the spot. The lounge itself is also comfortable and chic — it’s a great spot for pre-dinner cocktails and photo.
Why Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is Your Perfect Yosemite Escape
All in all, we loved our stay at this property and recommend it for couples, groups of people and even colleagues (there’s plenty of meeting space). In a region as iconic as Yosemite, finding the right place to stay can transform your trip—and Chicken Ranch Casino Resort does just that. With its modern, thoughtfully designed rooms, exciting gaming options, luxury amenities, and easy access to Yosemite National Park, this resort offers the ideal mix of entertainment, comfort and relaxation. Whether you’re here for the thrill of the casino, the comfort of a stylish suite, or simply a serene escape in the foothills, Chicken Ranch has something for everyone.
Ready to elevate your Yosemite experience? Rooms start at $140/ a night — you can book your stay here and discover why Chicken Ranch Casino Resort is the perfect getaway in the heart of California’s Yosemite region.
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Chelsea is a San Francisco-based journalist whose passion revolves around exploring the world, immersing herself in foreign cultures, and of course, eating and drinking everything delicious.
Her work can be found in TravelPulse, Forbes, INSIDER, SF Gate and more. She covers all things food, drink and travel and is always up for an adventure, whether that means an adrenaline-pumping excursion or trying a new cuisine.
