“The Gem of the Desert,” La Quinta has enjoyed a reputation as one of the best places to live in the Southern California desert country. Located between Indian Wells and Indio, CA, La Quinta has a rich history, but looks forward with a community planned around snowbirds and permanent resident families alike. Attracting visitors and those wishing to relocate are 20 exceptional golf courses. The Robb Report has dubbed La Quinta as “the Best Place to Live for Golf.” La Quinta also boasts arts festivals and performing arts venues, as well as beautiful public art pieces. Plentiful shopping, dining and other personal services can be found on La Quinta’s Highway 111 corridor, and its Old Town Village area. A vibrant and remarkable piece of desert paradise, La Quinta offers something for everyone!
HISTORY
The Coachella Valley, home to modern-day La Quinta and other communities, received its first European inhabitants in the early 1800’s. The indigenous Cahuilla people inhabited the area for hundreds of years prior to European settlement. In 1848, the United States annexed the area, along with much of northern Mexico.
The late 19th century and early 20th century saw the growth of agriculture in the Coachella Valley. Carving farmland from the desert, modern irrigation techniques sprung produce, notably dates, from the earth, ensuring prosperity for this oasis. On the only land that federal surveyors found suitable for residential development, the hard-rock ground of “Marshall Cove” would later the city of La Quinta develop.
Seeking to create a desert hideaway for Hollywood’s celebrities, Walter Morgan established the La Quinta Resort in 1926, on the northern section of the habitable Marshall Cove. With the area’s first golf course, this resort became the foundation of the city of the same name, La Quinta.
Construction of State Route 111 and expansion of Washington Street to connect with what would later become Interstate 10 paved the way for the growth of La Quinta. With growth skyrocketing of La Quinta and other desert communities in Riverside County in the 1980’s, La Quinta eventually incorporated as a town in 1982. Though predominantly a community of part-time and/or retired residents in the 90’s, La Quinta now attracts full-time residents—even young families—seeking the affordable home prices in the area.
PARKS & RECREATION
La Quinta offers its residents numerous opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the area with its park system. A sampling of these parks and trails is listed below:
Fritz Burns Park
Fritz Burns Park is a 12 acre park located on the corner of Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermudas. Amenities include a barbecue pit, children’s play area, picnic tables and benches, restrooms swimming pool, tennis courts, water feature, skate park, dog park, and public art. This park is available for event rentals.
La Quinta Park
La Quinta Park is an 18 acre park located across from La Quinta High School on the corner of Adams and Westward Ho. La Quinta Park is the city’s largest park. Amenities include barbecue pit, ball fields, basketball court, children’s play area, picnic tables, restrooms, soccer fields, walking path, a water feature, skate park and public art. This facility is available for event rentals
Cove Oasis Trailhead
This 114 acre natural open space area is located at the southernmost part of the Cove. Access to the Cove Oasis area is located on Calle Tecate. Trails such as the Boo Hoff and Bear Creek can be accessed from the trailhead. Amenities include picnic tables, benches, hiking trails, water fountains, and public art. This facility is available for event rental.
Bear Creek Trail
This popular 4.75 acre hiking path begins on the corner of Eisenhower and Calle Tampico and travels south toward the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve and the Cove Oasis Trailhead. Amenities include picnic tables, hiking path, and public art.
Click here for a complete listing of La Quinta parks and trails.
Golf Courses
As one of the nation’s premier golf destinations, La Quinta boasts over 20 exceptional golf courses. La Quinta’s famous golf resorts offer championship golf, tennis, as well as spa services and fine dining.
La Quinta Resort & Club
Since 1926, La Quinta Resort & Club has been a luxurious hideaway for the rich and famous, as well as those seeking great golf. La Quinta Resort & Club is home to 90 holes of some of the country's best golf, including the famous Stadium Golf Course at PGA WEST and the picturesque Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort. If you want to take a break from the links, enjoy the resorts tennis courts and World-class Spa La Quinta. The spa offers resort guests a variety of unique indoor and outdoor treatments including PGA WEST Golf Massage, open-air Celestial Showers Sacred Stone Massage and more.
SilverRock Golf Resort
The Arnold Palmer Classic Course at SilverRock Golf Resort has earned the distinction of being one of the “Top 10 New Courses That You Can Play” from Golf Magazine. This course was the only course in California to make this prestigious list! Nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the SilverRock Golf Resort not only offers challenging courses, but PGA golf instruction and tournament opportunities. Many will descend on SilverRock starting in 2008 as the resort will play host to the storied Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
MUSEUMS & ARTS
The City of La Quinta has a long-standing commitment to preserve the area’s unique character through the arts. Through public art woven throughout city streets and facilities, to the annual La Quinta Arts Festival started with the help of this city’s most famous resident, Merv Griffin, art plays an important role in the enhancement of lives of La Quinta residents. 
For more information about public art in La Quinta, click here.
The construction of the new museum is scheduled for completion in March of 2008. The La Quinta Museum will offer educational programs for people of all ages
