Where Sunshine, Sāmores and Santa-sized Fun Make the Holidays Shine
If Santa traded snow boots for sandals, weāre betting his sleigh would land somewhere between palm trees and mountain views, specifically at La Quinta Resort & Club. Every holiday season, this legendary Palm Springs hideaway transforms into a festive desert escape where twinkling palms outshine pine trees and the season sparkles under blue skies. From casitas with fireplaces to cocoa by the fire pits, every detail makes holiday travel feel timeless. Hereās why even St. Nick would hang up his coat and call La Quinta Resort his new favorite tradition during Palm Springsā holiday travel season.
Stay: Casitas & Villas That Sleigh
Forget cold rooftops! Santa deserves a courtyard suite. La Quinta Resort & Club makes it easy to stay merry and bright with Spanish-style casitas, private villas and family suites that set the tone for holiday indulgence. Many feature cozy fireplaces, festive dĆ©cor and private patios perfect for morning coffee or late-night cocoa. Groups can gather for gift exchanges in spacious living areas, while couples can savor quiet nights under starlit skies. Each space feels equal parts elegant and nostalgic, blending old Hollywood glamour with desert serenity. Heated pools and whirlpools sparkle nearby, proving thereās no such thing as too much holiday cheer, or too much sunshine.
Dine & Drink: A Holiday Feast to Remember
Santa may love milk and cookies, but even heād trade up for Morganās in the desert. Here, seasonal California cuisine is inspired by the desert, with dishes like braised short rib and ginger creamed corn. Over at Adobe Grill, the scent of fresh tortillas, shrimp enchiladas and sizzling fajitas fills the air. Itās a reminder that the desert knows how to do comfort food right. Twenty6 keeps things casual with festive brunch plates and craft cocktails that feel like holiday spirit in a glass. And if staying in is more your vibe, in-room dining makes it effortless to host your own fireside feast. Golden-hour cocktails on the resortās patios seal the deal on an evening that tastes as good as it looks.
Relax: Spa La Quinta, Where Even Elves Unwind
Santaās workshop has nothing on Spa La Quinta. This wellness retreat offers seasonal treatments infused with desert botanicals. Expect fragrant baths, warm stone massages and body wraps that smell like Christmas morning. Afterward, guests can join daily yoga sessions or guided meditations to balance the holiday hustle. Whether youāre detoxing before dinner or indulging in a couplesā ritual, the spaās serene courtyards and citrus-scented air set the stage for relaxation. Self-care becomes part of the celebration, reminding guests that joy comes wrapped in a plush robe.
Play: Sunshine, Sports & Sparkle
If Santa swapped his sleigh for a golf cart, we wouldnāt blame him. With five championship golf courses, world-class tennis and pickleball facilities and cabana-lined pools, La Quinta makes playtime look good. The resortās legendary Mountain and Dunes Courses are lush and scenic, especially in the golden afternoon light. Between rounds, guests can take a dip or explore the resortās manicured grounds decked out in festive dĆ©cor. Evenings glow with lights and live music, showing that the holidays here blend desert energy, timeless elegance and endless fun.
Celebrate: Fire Pits, Sāmores & Starlight
Thereās something irresistibly nostalgic about gathering under the desert sky with cocoa in hand and firelight dancing off palm fronds. La Quinta Resortās holiday nights are made for moments like these. Guests can toast marshmallows at the outdoor fire pits, sip cocoa under twinkling lights or settle into one of the resortās cozy courtyards for a quiet nightcap. With every flicker of flame and sparkle of string lights, the property tells its own story: one of tradition, warmth and shared joy. Forget the chimney; Santa would stay out here all night.
Family Fun: Little Moments, Big Magic
The best part of the La Quinta Resort holiday season? Itās pure fun for the whole family. Kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, warm up by the fire and roast chestnuts or watch festive films under the stars. The resortās winter-themed displays bring out everyoneās inner child, while live entertainment and seasonal photo ops make for magical memories. Parents can grab a cocktail from Twenty6 while little ones build snow-free snowmen on the lawn. Every corner hums with laughter, light and that rare sense of togetherness that defines the holidays.
One More Reason to Stay: The Magic Lasts All Season
At La Quinta Resort & Club, the holidays arenāt just a few days on the calendar; theyāre a full-season celebration. It all begins on Nov. 30 with the resortās annual holiday tree lighting, complete with complimentary hot cocoa for the crowd. Through New Yearās, the property comes alive with music, cozy dining events and family traditions that feel timeless. This yearās festivities are complete with light displays, live performances and special menus that blend classic comfort with desert flair. Whether youāre here for a weekend or the whole month, every sunrise feels like a gift and every sunset like a celebration.
So if youāre wondering where Santa would really vacation, hereās your answer. Heād be poolside, peppermint martini in hand, at La Quinta Resort & Club. And heād tell you to write your list, check in twice and experience the most magical Palm Springs holiday travel season under the sun.
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!
