Exploring La Quinta, CA: The Gem of the Desert
La Quinta, California. A hidden gem nestled in the beautiful Coachella Valley, known for its stunning desert landscapes and year-round sunshine. This charming city offers a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. With just under a 3 hour drive from LA, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit last month in partnership with the City of LA Quinta!
Here, we’ll explore the places and activities we did during our 3 day trip. @cityoflaquinta
Where to stay
We had the chance to stay at The Chateau at Lake La Quinta-a boutique hotel with a beautiful lake side and mountain views. We were greeted by very friendly staff and complimentary champagne before going up to our room! We stayed in the Premium Lakeview room that sits on a corner of the second floor, with a comfortable king size bed and two balconies overlooking the lake. If you want to enjoy even closer views, you can check out their restaurant on site, The Mélange, where you can dine on the outdoor patio. You can also sit by the fire pits to enjoy the sunset while you drink a glass of wine. If you’re looking to relax at the hotel, an outdoor pool or hot tub are available for your pleasure!
Things to do in La Quinta
One of the highlights of visiting La Quinta was immersing myself in the breathtaking natural beauty of the desert. From hiking in the nearby trails, visiting Old town to seeing the murals.
The Cove trails
La Quinta Cove has a network of trails to choose from. Just park at the Cove trailhead and Parking lot and you’ll have different options-from a strenuous hike to an easy flat hike that you can even ride your bike on. We did the East Cove Trail that looped us around and was mostly flat with a distance of about 2 miles. We enjoyed the views and plants and the beautiful fall desert weather!
Whether you choose a 2 mile or 8 mile hike, remember, it's always wise to be prepared. Have sun protection like a hat and sunscreen, pack enough water, pack layers just in case. Don’t forget to Leave No Trace - pick up your trash including banana and orange peels. It will take them years to biodegrade in the desert. Plus we don’t want to introduce non-native plant parts to animals who depend on their native habitat.
Arts and Culture
Old Town La Quinta
Spending an afternoon walking around Old town La Quinta was a great way to spend time before grabbing dinner. We not only got to witness the beautiful architecture of the buildings, we were also fortunate to have the gorgeous Santa Rosa Mountains as a backdrop during sunset.
La Quinta Museum
We got to visit the La Quinta Museum. With free admission, we were able to see an exhibit called “Desert Views”. You’ll get a chance to learn the history of La Quinta, including the Indigenous history of The Cahuilla People who continue to live and work there.
Murals
La Quinta has beautiful vibrant murals all around town for folks to visit and see. I’d recommend renting a bike at The Village Peddler or Pedego Electric Bikes La Quinta and taking a tour to visit the murals. We didn’t get a chance to rent bikes, so we drove to a few that were within a couple of miles of each other before we left the city.
La Quinta Park
We grabbed coffee on our last morning and headed to the city’s largest park, La Quinta Park. We took a stroll around while we sipped our coffee and got a peek of some of the soccer games happening.
Where to Eat in La Quinta
Of course, no visit to La Quinta would be complete without enjoying delicious food! The city offers a diverse dining scene and it’s impossible to try all in one trip. But we were still able to try a variety!
The DSRT CLUB
After checking in and resting at the hotel we headed over to the DSRT CLUB for dinner. A beautiful spot offering indoor and outdoor fine dining. I ordered their charred broccoli which was delicious, a vegan burger and a mocktail drink while my husband enjoyed their Land & Sea plate.
Beautiful Day
The next morning before heading out to our hike we visited Beautiful Day farm to table restaurant. This place ended up being my favorite restaurant (we went twice), their breakfast was so delicious and I appreciated the variety of vegan options that were offered from their breakfast burrito to their breakfast plates.
Fresh Juice Bar La Quinta
This was a good place to stop by for a refreshing green smoothie after our hike. A nice snack to hold us up until dinner.
TQLAS Agave Bar and Grill
Right in the middle of Old Town La Quinta is this yummy Mexican restaurant! We were able to enjoy margaritas, their delicious Guacamole Tropicale, and fajitas.
The Mélange
As mentioned, this is the restaurant on site of The Chateau. We enjoyed lunch time at the lake. I got a delicious plate of grilled veggies and stuff bell peppers and my husband had the Mélange Burger with their house-made bacon jam.
Kiki’s
For our last night in La Quinta, we visited the newly opened Kiki’s, a beautiful Italian restaurant. Offering homemade and freshly made pastas, homemade pizzas and salads. Loved their roasted brussel sprouts and persimmon & arugula salad (sans the bread crumbs and cheese) as a starter!
Main Street Coffee Company
Also located in Old Town La Quinta, you can stop by for some morning coffee and pastries. They were kind enough to take my reusable coffee tumbler as well!
Plan Your Visit to La Quinta, CA
Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, relaxation, or culinary delights, La Quinta has something for everyone. With its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality, this desert oasis is a destination that will leave a lasting impression. Start planning your visit to La Quinta, CA. and prepare to be captivated by all that this enchanting city has to offer. We can’t wait to be back!