While the popular neighborhoods, sights, and culture of Palm Springs attract much of the
local tourist dollars and attention, they account for only a fraction of the Coachella Valley’s
geographic footprint. However, there is another beautiful world beyond the glitz and glamour of Palm Springs – welcome to La Quinta! Located at the base of the Coachella Valley and predominantly surrounded by the towering Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta is the direct product of centuries of tectonic actions. Indeed, over the past three centuries, the Colorado River flowed into the Gulf of California and formed a large delta fan whose centuries-old silt deposits – before the Colorado River changed course nearly 500 years ago – grew higher and wider until the basin was cut-off from the ocean with the mountains on both sides growing higher.
The resulting delta’s fertile farmland provided an ideal climate for nearby Los Angeles
farmers to grow their traditional vegetables, melon, citrus, and date crops, and not-so-traditional
dates, sweet corn, Bermuda onions, and Thompson seedless grapes. The area’s proximity to Los
Angeles – coupled with newly-built passenger trains – enticed not only local farmers to the area,
but brought Los Angeles residents as well. Amusingly enough, when it incorporated in May
1982, the area was dubbed “La Quinta,” for the resort that had been established in 1926. Today,
the city is booming with a growing population, as well as a large seasonal population of “snow
birds,” all of whom are undoubtedly attracted to its litany of boutique shops restaurants, and
hotels, and as well as its variety of recreational and cultural activities.
Unsurprisingly, La Quinta’s inhabitants have managed to parlay the area’s growing
population and popularity into a venerated real estate market. Of particular note is the recent,
whopping $31.75 million sale of a massive mansion in La Quinta’s private and exclusive
community – the Madison Club – which is known for its star-studded list of homeowners
Additionally, some of the A-listers who .purchased real estate in La Quinta
include: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, Kardashian family matriarch Kris
Jenner, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.If the community has learned anything, it’s that La Quinta’s popularity and growth-focused mindset are here to stay – as a brief respite for both celebrities and non-celebrities, alike, from tourists, while still benefitting from all the Coachella Valley has to offer. We understand the Coachella Valley, from cottages to mansions and we are here to help, feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.
Photos by Desert Sun and the Madison Club