Golden Hours, Harvest Menus and Desert Thrills Create the Perfect Escape
Fall doesn’t mean slowing down; it means leveling up your getaway game. And La Quinta Resort delivers flawlessly. When the desert air turns crisp and the summer crowds roll out, this iconic property transforms into a warm, golden oasis. Think: private casitas with fireplaces, pumpkin crème cold brews in hand, fire pits glowing under the stars, spa treatments that smell like sandalwood and citrus and dinners that awaken all five senses.
While the rest of the world is pulling sweaters from storage, La Quinta is swapping them for swimsuits, floaty kaftans and golf polos. This is your season to indulge in slow mornings, pumpkin-spiced afternoons and starlit evenings with a side of mezcal. From golden-hour hikes in the Santa Rosa Mountains to margaritas on vibrant patios, the property turns autumn into a full-on mood.
“Fall is the perfect time to experience La Quinta Resort as the desert settles into its most inviting season,” says Director of Spa & Fitness Christina Cabrera. “Warm days and cool evenings set the scene for outdoor recreation, from pickleball and tennis to guided fitness classes surrounded by mountain views.”
Whether you’re craving a wellness recharge, festive fall eats or simply a break from real life, La Quinta Resort is the answer. Here’s why.
Spa Treatments That Smell Like Fall and Feel Like Heaven
La Quinta’s Autumn Awakening Spa menu might be the closest thing to bottling up the season and pouring it straight into your soul. Running through Nov. 30, this limited-time menu features five indulgent treatments crafted with fall’s most comforting scents and skin-loving ingredients.
Start with the Citrus Balsam Swedish Massage: a full-body escape infused with fir balsam, sandalwood, grapefruit and mandarin. Then there’s the Harvest Glow Facial, which includes a yam and pumpkin peel and a pumpkin latte mask that leaves your skin dewy, fresh and ready for every golden-hour selfie.
“This autumn, guests are indulging in our seasonal spa favorites designed to refresh both body and spirit,” says Cabrera. “Each treatment brings warmth, relaxation, and radiant results.”
For full-body bliss, go for Autumn’s Vibrant Glow Body Therapy. Imagine exfoliating under calming LED lights, a Vichy rain shower and a post-treatment glow that rivals the desert sunset. Even your fingers and toes get in on the action with The Great Gourd mani-pedi, featuring a pumpkin sugar scrub and a hydrating massage. And let’s not forget your post-summer strands. The “Fall in Love With Your Hair” treatment revives and shines your locks like they never even knew summer happened.
Local Insight: When you’re done, grab a plush robe and lounge by one of the resort’s 42 pools or in a private cabana.
Fall Flavors You’ll Want to Write Home (and Insta) About
This season, the resort’s dining lineup goes from five-star to five-course fiesta, and your taste buds are front row. Executive Chef Andrew Cooper says fall dining at the resort is all about seasonal creativity and comfort. “At Twenty6, guests can savor dishes like the Pacific Seabass A La Plancha or Asian Chicken Salad, perfectly finished with our signature Ube Cheesecake,” he shares.
“Over at Morgan’s in the desert, the Mission Fig Salad and Diver Scallops celebrate locally inspired fall ingredients, while Adobe Grill’s Guajillo Braised Lamb Shank and Bread Pudding are perfect for cool desert evenings.”
Adobe Grill is also honoring Día de los Muertos with a prix-fixe menu that blends heritage with haute cuisine. Dishes like Pollo en Pipián, Tamales de Ceniza and Calabaza en Tacha bring traditional flavors into a decadent modern spotlight. Pair it with a craft margarita or tableside guac for the full flavor experience.
At Twenty6, fall means big, juicy energy thanks to their monthly burger specials. October kicks off with the Smash Burger: a spicy, cheesy, jalapeño-packed bite that feels like game-day glory. As football season rolls on, the menu rotates through meaty masterpieces all the way through Super Bowl Sunday. Add in seasonal cocktails, cozy patio vibes and a lineup of crave-worthy comfort dishes, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for savoring autumn one bite (and sip) at a time.
Fall Festivities That Mix Family Fun With Picture-Perfect Moments
Let your inner child (and your actual kids) run wild this fall with seasonal activities that blend cozy fun with a hint of friendly competition. The Marketplace’s Pumpkin Carving Contest is back on Oct. 31, and it’s not just for guests; locals are invited, too. Bring your creativity, your crew and your carving A-game. Winners snag the ultimate Family Boo Basket filled with snacks, Halloween goodies and single ice cream cones for up to four.
But the fun doesn’t stop at pumpkins. The Marketplace is dishing out seasonal treats daily, so you can sip a Pumpkin Chai while browsing fall-themed gifts or lounging on the patio. Between the festive vibes and the photo ops (jack-o’-lanterns, desert blooms and golden-hour light), this corner of the resort becomes a cozy autumn daydream. Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal drink specials and surprise pop-up events, because at La Quinta, fall is just as fun as it is fabulous.
Pool-Day Weather, Tee Times and Everything In Between
Fall in the desert is chef’s kiss. You get 80-degree days, crisp mornings and breezy evenings that beg for layers of linen, not fleece. It’s prime time for outdoor everything. “The weather is beautifully mild, with warm days and cool evenings, ideal for lounging by our 42 sparkling pools, playing tennis or pickleball or exploring our lush 40-acre grounds,” says Cabrera. “Fall brings stunning desert colors and a serene ambiance, making it the perfect season for outdoor dining, spa experiences and adventures in our breathtaking surroundings.”
Golf lovers? It’s your season. With five championship courses nearby, including PGA WEST, your 7 a.m. tee time comes with dew on the grass and a sky that looks as if VSCO filtered it. Prefer your swings a little more relaxed? The tennis and pickleball courts are iconic for a reason, and fall mornings make matches feel even more energizing.
If “activity” sounds like too much work, the pool scene is still vibing strong. Grab a lounger, order a poolside drink and live your best sun-drenched, sweater-optional life. The resort’s fire pits create the perfect transition from golden rays to twinkling nightcaps.
Evenings Made for Firelight, Stars and Second Glasses
As the sun sets behind the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta Resort leans into its sultriest self. Fall nights here are a whole mood. Fire pits flicker, cocktails get cozier and the property’s palm-lined pathways glow in soft amber tones. This is when the resort becomes a quiet luxury haven. Whether you’re cuddled up in a robe after your spa treatment, sipping something warm by the fire or dining alfresco under fairy lights, the vibe is peak indulgence.
Guests looking for the quintessential desert escape should book one of the resort’s casitas or villas.
“These spaces elevate a fall stay by blending privacy, comfort and desert charm,” says Cabrera. “From private patios with mountain views to pools and hot tubs, they create the ultimate desert escape with peaceful mornings, golden sunsets and nights under the stars.”
La Quinta Resort is a state of mind. From sunrise hikes and spa days to starlit cocktails and pumpkin-fueled fun, every moment feels curated for comfort and escape. Whether you’re sneaking away for a weekend or stretching your stay into a full-blown reset, now’s the time to swap city stress for desert serenity. Fall here is golden, indulgent and just the right kind of extra. All that’s missing? You.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
