It may have escaped your attention but for many people poker is a leisure activity. I dunno what you think odd about people pursuing a leisure activity on vacation? Sure I'd think it odd if someone went to Puerto Rico for a fortnight and only played poker. But for a few hours as part of a vacation you're being awfully judgemental.

Also rememeber that people like you and I are fortunate living in the Bay Area where there is lots of live poker. Many people have no legal live poker within a sensible distance of where they live.