11 Best Things to Do in La Quinta, California

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Old Town La Quinta is an upscale outdoor shopping center in La Quinta, California, designed in 1997 in the California Renaissance style. Its quaint Main Street is lined in elegant whitewashed buildings with red tiled roofs reminiscent of the hundreds-year-old missions and historic homes of Carmel or Santa Barbara. The buildings house elegant boutiques, gourmet dining, wine tasting bars, art galleries, and charming cafes. Upstairs are offices and businesses, creating a fine balance between work and pleasure. There is always something going on in Old Town La Quinta, such as music on weekends, the Art Under the Umbrellas art show, Taste of La Quinta, and very popular Sunday Certified Farmers’ Market.

© La Quinta Museum

Opened in 2008 in a lovely two-story 9,000-square-foot Spanish colonial revival building, the La Quinta Museum features exhibits on local history, culture, and arts. One of the most interesting features is a 32-foot-long mural of old La Quinta by Andre Blanche located in the community room. There are two dioramas – one of a Cahuilla Native American village and one of the native animals living in the area. There is a collection of photos of old resorts, showing the growth of the town as a resort community. The museum has a nice shop with relevant books and interesting unique gift items, three galleries, a research area, archives, and a large community multi-purpose room. The museum organizes a range of events and programs for children and adults, as well as travelling exhibits on local history and art.

77-885 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-777-7170

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Located in La Quinta, California, the Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area is a large park at the foot of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains, on the banks of serene Lake Cahuilla. The park is one of the most popular recreation areas in the Coachella Valley, with facilities for camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and much more. There are over 150 camping sites with all modern amenities. Picnic and play areas on green lawns have tables, benches, and barbecues. Swimming in the lake is not allowed, but there is a large swimming pool with a lifeguard. The park’s picturesque setting by the lake make it an ideal setting for all kinds of social events such as company picnics, concerts, and boat races.

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The PGA West Stadium Course is a legendary golf course in La Quinta, California, one of America’s top 100 golf courses and the fourth toughest. The course was designed by Pete Dye, who was inspired by the famous Scottish links-style courses. The name "Stadium" comes from Dye's original plan to carve spectator seating into the existing natural terrain. The PGA West Stadium Course is part of the Tournament Players Club courses, which are part of the PGA Tour. It was a host for the Bob Hope Classic in 1987, now called the CareerBuilder Challenge, and many other notable tournaments. Stadium delivers a number of adrenaline rushes throughout, such as the island green of hole #17, popularly called Alcatraz, as well as the scary water-lined 18th.

55-955 Pga Blvd, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-564-7111

© The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

The Chateau at Lake La Quinta is a delightful boutique hotel in La Quinta, providing convenient access to area attractions such as the Living Desert and the golf courses of SilverRock Resort. The elegant resort, which overlooks pristine Lake La Quinta, offers 24 beautifully-appointed lakeside view rooms and suites, which all offer flat screen televisions, cozy fireplaces, and luxurious whirlpool tubs. Guests can share use of common amenities such as a calming outdoor pool and hot tub and a common room with a grand fireplace and relaxing seating. At the hotel's Melange restaurant, diners can enjoy delectable bistro fare, including pizzas crafted in a wood-burning oven.

78120 Caleo Bay Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-564-7332

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Located in the upscale outdoor shopping center Old Town La Quinta, the Sunday Certified Farmers’ Market is open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shoppers can stock up on fresh produce, honey, herbs, nuts, fresh-cut flowers, organic meat, cheese, fresh-baked breads and pastries, olive oils, and much more. There are also knife sharpening, regular chef demonstrations, live music, and all sorts of other activities. Most farmers and vendors come from neighborhood farms and towns. While shopping for produce and other goodies, visitors can stroll through the Old Town and stop for a cup of coffee, have a brunch with family and friends, or check what is new at one of many boutiques.

78100 Main St, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-600-0758

© Pedego Electric Bikes La Quinta

Located in the Old Town La Quinta, Pedego Electric Bikes is there to help you have as much fun as possible while staying active and fit and seeing the sights all over Coachella Valley. They rent and sell electric bikes and accessories as well as offer maintenance and repair of your bikes and organize bike tours of the area. Electric bikes are not a lazy way to travel as they do make you work out, but with the motor they level the fitness field a bit. It means that you can have lot of fun and climb that daunting hill regardless of your fitness level. So, no more excuses, get out and join your friends, hit the trail, and go see the birds and other critters. Pedego Electric Bikes have everything you need.

78-075 Main St #104, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-972-4017

© La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill and Bar

Located in an architectural gem on a cliff top, surrounded by a desert and overlooking the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & Bar is an upscale restaurant popular with locals for special occasions. The lodge-like atmosphere, sophisticated furniture, log fireplace, and outdoor terrace with spectacular views create a perfect background for a festive lunch, dinner, or happy hour. The large circular bar serves unique cocktails and has a substantial wine list. The kitchen is known for its classic American menu dominated by perfectly prepared steaks and fresh seafood, but their handmade pasta has a lot of fans as well. The best deal is the two-course sunset dinner with a significantly reduced price.

78250 CA-111, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-360-5991

© Arnold Palmer's Restaurant

Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant is one of the most popular eateries in La Quinta, and not only among avid golfers. The warm, clubby atmosphere is inviting and relaxed, and guests enjoy looking at the photos and memorabilia on the walls of the British Open Room, the Masters Room, the U.S. Open Room, the Palmer Room, or the Wine Room. The Wine Room is reserved for special occasions and has a display of more than 2,000 bottles of wine. This classic steakhouse offers many of Arnie Palmer’s, and everyone else’s, favorite dishes such as homemade meatloaf, very special mac and cheese, and double-cut pork chops with potatoes fondant. The guests can try their hand on the practice putting green while waiting for their meal.

78164 52nd Ave, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-771-4653

© Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill

Located in the Old Town La Quinta shopping center, Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill is a popular local sports bar that has earned its popularity due to its titles of best pizza, best al fresco dining, and best catering. While their pizzas are the stars of the show, Stuft has a large, diverse menu with more than 100 items that range from fresh seafood, prime ribs, and steaks to fresh salads. HD TVs are strategically positioned all over the indoor dining space so you do not have to miss your team’s game. There are two wonderful outdoor dining areas, tiled, shaded, and surrounded by palm trees, where you can try one of their 40 wines by the glass with your pizza or the appetizer combo plate with volcano wings, onion rings, calamari steak strips, and veggie spring rolls.

78015 Main St #100, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-777-9989

© Cork & Fork

Cork & Fork is an elegant, upscale wine bar and eatery offering 20 wines by the glass and an extensive, award-winning wine list, served with exceptional small plates. Located in downtown La Quinta, California, Cork & Fork is cozy and simple, almost Zen-like, with wonderful light fixtures and a long bar. There is also a nice outdoor patio for al fresco dining. Executive Chef Andie Hubka uses sustainable local ingredients to create inventive small plates that range from the classic fried green tomatoes to the more exotic fare such as ahi sesame poke nachos with wonton chips, togarashi aioli, avocado, sweet soy, and wasabi caviar.

47875 Caleo Bay Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-777-7555

© Morgan's in the Desert

Morgan’s in the Desert is an upscale, elegant white tablecloth restaurant in La Quinta Resort and Spa in La Quinta, California, with romantic hacienda architecture and decor with bright purple bougainvillea spilling over the walls on the patio. The cozy piano bar serves vintage cocktails and a large wine list with many wines available by the glass. Chef Jimmy Schmidt offers a farm-to-table seasonal New American menu using many ingredients grown in the fertile Coachella Valley, such as local olives and artichokes. The menu is seasonal and not large but there is something for everyone. The best deal is the chef’s sample menu, which includes pan-roasted maple leaf duck breast, beef carpaccio, and the two peach and serrano ham salad.

49499 Eisenhower Dr, La Quinta, CA 92253, Phone: 760-564-7600