For Nature Lovers and Desert Roadtrippers This Palm Springs Town Has it All
La Quinta is a nature lover’s oasis with thirty-two square miles of golden dunes framed by picturesque mountains. The growing city is famed as the quintessential Palm Springs escape with local boutiques, luxury resorts and an abundance of outdoor excursions. La Quinta’s rich history is steeped in Native American culture, which remains alive and thriving in this idyllic desert town. Its proximity to iconic destinations such as Joshua Tree and Palm Springs makes it a tourist hotspot for roadtrippers or those seeking an authentic desert-living experience. From fine dining in the heart of the Santa Rosa Mountains to outdoor wellness studios, La Quinta is full of hidden gems that embrace its native small-town charm. Here’s how to spend an idyllic day of shopping, dining and exploring in La Quinta.
DO
Tee Off at SilverRock Resort
Nestled amidst the sun-swept landscapes of La Quinta, SilverRock Resort is an emblem of refined desert luxury. SilverRock Resort’s Arnold Palmer Classic Course is the ultimate destination for desert dwellers seeking world-class golf facilities and natural serenity. The 7,200-acre course is situated on 200 manicured acres and framed by a backdrop of whispering palms and white dunes. Renowned as a world-class golf retreat, it’s no surprise SilverRock hosted the PGA American Express Golf Tournament for three consecutive years.
After a morning on the green, take a break at the resort’s on-site restaurant, SilverRock Grill, which serves up both breakfast and lunch. Snack on classic American bites like the country fried steak and eggs, tuna melt or cobb salad. After a successful overseed, SilverRock Resort is now open for the season and looks amazing—aka, it’s time to start planning your trip!
Local Insight: As a pet-friendly facility, feel free to bring your furry companion along with you.
Get Crafty at Art Major Studio
Located on Highway 111, Art Major Studio is a passion project brought to life by owner and founder Allie Baker. The vibrant studio encourages individuals to tap into their creativity through painting, sculpting and designing. Visitors will find shelves brimming with an assemblage of beads, paintbrushes and glitter. As a mother and creative herself, Baker believes art is a fundamental aspect of children’s routines—one that fuels valuable life skills. Art Major supports this philosophy by hosting craft camps, art classes and birthday parties centered around creative projects. The studio also hosts special events, such as culinary crafting and vision board parties, that get the creative juices flowing.
Sound Bath Sundays at GATHER Yoga and Wellness
After stocking up on fresh produce at the farmers market, head over to GATHER Yoga and Wellness for a Sunday sound bath class. These meditative classes emphasize the mind-body connection and invite you to let the healing nature of sound soothe your soul. Sound baths are traditionally known to relieve stress and anxiety while restoring immunity and removing toxins. The team at GATHER not only specializes in yoga classes but fosters an inclusive community where individuals can gather in a safe and welcoming space. The studio capitalizes on La Quinta’s picturesque mountain backdrop with outdoor classes that embrace the desert’s natural beauty.
STAY
La Quinta Resort and Club
Nestled among the Santa Rosa mountains, La Quinta Resort and Club is a luxury retreat known for its world-class golf courses and meticulously manicured grounds. Situated on 45 acres of serene desert landscape, the resort’s Pueblo Revival architecture is modeled after La Quinta’s native ancestry, tracing back to the Desert Cahuilla Indians. With 41 perfectly chilled pools, five on-site dining venues and a gorgeous spa sanctuary, it’s the perfect place to take refuge after a day exploring La Quinta. Stay in one of their cozy, adobe-style casitas featuring private patios and pools. The resort is also a short drive from popular attractions, including the upscale El Paseo shopping district and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
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DINE
Lavender Bistro
Lavender Bistro is a favored gem among La Quinta locals. The elegant restaurant holds a magical ambiance—imagine a cheerful garden patio with palm trees twinkling with lights. This casa-turned-bistro once belonged to local residents but now operates as an upscale eatery. While the fresh dishes beckon food connoisseurs from around the globe, Lavender Bistro remains committed to its founding principle of community. The menu is a fusion of fresh, organic ingredients locally sourced from the desert’s bountiful harvest. Specializing in modern California fare, menu items range from butternut squash ravioli and flat iron steak to dijon and walnut-crusted sea bass.
RD RNNR
Named after one of the most prevalent critters in the Southwest desert, RD RNNR is a farm-to-table establishment in Old Town La Quinta. The restaurant is a coming together of cuisines that delivers a dining experience as unique as the dishes themselves. Guests have the option to customize their french fries with toppings such as bacon, fried egg and blistered jalapeño. Looking for a lighter option? Their Bites and Pecks make excellent appetizers or smaller meals. Or forage for fresh greens with The Cheesy Date, a salad made with Coachella dates and burrata cheese, and be sure to sample their fun beverage menu full of cocktails and slushies—perfect for those hot desert nights.
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Cali Rosana Tea Room
Tea lovers, look no further than Cali Rosana Tea Room. This idyllic tea and chocolate shop is undoubtedly one of La Quinta’s best-kept secrets. You’ll find endless options of fresh loose-leaf tea and delectable bites such as everybody’s favorite—avocado toast. Their exotic chocolates are sourced from around the globe and complement the extensive tea selection. Say goodbye to basic herbal tea with signature hot and iced concoctions that draw from the land’s natural flavors. Ingredients such as agave, honeybush and hibiscus blend together to create beverages perfect for a morning or midday pick-me-up. The shop also operates as a marketplace where guests can peruse the store’s assortment of confections, raw honey and tea.
La Quinta Cliffhouse
La Quinta Cliffhouse is the epitome of a fine dining experience that’s elegant without being pretentious. The layout of the restaurant embraces the natural topography of the desert landscape: cascading waterfalls and an open-air patio built into the side of a cliff. Views of the picturesque mountainous terrain are visible from every angle of the restaurant. Stop by for Tasting Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. to enjoy complimentary tastings straight from the bar. Specializing in traditional American fare, guests can enjoy unique dishes such as the Cactus Chicken Pasta and Sugar Spiced Salmon Salad. Pair any entree with one of their craft spritzes that feature notes of passionfruit, hibiscus and limoncello.
SHOP
Roam.e. Boutique
What began as a mobile retail shop that made its way around local farmer’s markets is now a beloved brick-and-mortar store in La Quinta. This bohemian-style boutique embraces both fashion and functionality. More than just a clothing store, Roam.e. Boutique’s selection of styles and home goods is an eminent reflection of the La Quinta community. Placing an emphasis on service, the owners support local artisans by featuring their craftsmanship in-house. Wellness products, handmade jewelry and clothes for the little ones create a medley of unique household items and stylish pieces.
Elizabeth & Prince
Inspired by the namesake New York City shopping district, Elizabeth & Prince is a lifestyle boutique designed for those with a wanderlust spirit and a jet-set lifestyle. Inspired by New York’s trendy fashion districts, the shop’s pieces have been curated for California living. The midcentury modern architecture and sophisticated styles offer desert travelers a taste of city life in the heart of Coachella Valley. While the shop carries a variety of designer brands, including Rag and Bone and Equipment, don’t let the labels fool you. The friendly boutique owners radiate the small-town hospitality of La Quinta’s desert town. From playful summer maxi dresses to business casual suits, their pieces are adapted to suit diverse fashion preferences.
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La Quinta’s Certified Farmers Market
No visit to La Quinta is complete without a trip to the local farmers market! The La Quinta’s Certified Farmers Market carries farm-fresh produce harvested within 100 miles of the Coachella Valley. From October to May, Old Town comes to life with a vibrant display of local vendors and artisans selling everything from raw honey and fresh-cut flowers to brightly colored fruits and veggies. Stop by from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday to celebrate the market’s diverse selection of goods. Empanadas, fresh pasta and homemade guac and salsa are just a few items visitors will find when visiting this open-air marketplace.
