10 Irresistibly Fun Things to do in La Quinta California

Whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting the “Gem of the Desert,” here are the best things to do in La Quinta. Personally, I’d repeat these again and again. I hope you enjoy them as much as my partner and I do!

Let’s Explore: Things to do in La Quinta

How to Plan the Perfect La Quinta Vacation

When most people think of La Quinta, California, they picture luxe golf courses —but there’s so much more waiting beyond the greens. (And trust me, you don’t need to know your nine iron from your pitching wedge to fall in love with this place—I sure don’t!)

Tucked into the heart of the Coachella Valley, La Quinta is about a 2.5-hour drive east of Los Angeles, and it feels like you’ve entered an entirely different world the moment you arrive. Think: endless sunshine, a wide-open blue sky scattered with wispy clouds, and that signature desert breeze gently rustling the palm trees.

We visited in early April, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Bursts of color lined the streets—from deep reds to coral pinks and fiery oranges (all expertly landscaped, of course). But beyond the resort blooms, you’ll also find wildflowers popping up along the hiking trails, adding to the springtime magic.

What really took my breath away, though, were the Santa Rosa Mountains. As we drove into town, my jaw dropped when I saw that we were surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains. I doubt there’s a place in town where you can’t see them from!

When to Visit

Given that the Coachella Valley is very dry year-round, and the lows don’t often dip below the mid-40s, this is an ideal place to visit between fall and spring. For locals, this time of year is dubbed “The Season.” If you live in the Pacific Northwest like I do, then you know how refreshing a getaway somewhere warm can be during our wetter seasons!

Unless you enjoy really, really hot temperatures (over a hundred degrees) I would advise against planning a La Quinta trip June through September.

What to Expect in La Quinta California

Before we dive into things to do in La Quinta, let’s set the scene. If you’re anything like me and like to try to figure out what the vibe of a place is before visiting, here’s a few observations I had (as well as general expectations):

• La Quinta is a dog-friendly, small town with upscale shopping and dining. The community is pretty active, with people walking, biking, and jogging. It has more of a laidback vibe where people don’t feel like they’re constantly in a rush.
• When it comes to style, breathable athletic wear is popular, and you’ll see many people dressed like they just came from the golf course. Also, bright colors and bohemian style dresses are popular too. And, a little western flare is common.
• Golf carts may drive alongside your car
• Reservations, particularly for dinner, are recommended but not necessary for most places (if you don’t mind waiting). An exception to this would be the Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant – which is a steakhouse with live music, a gorgeous outdoor patio, and valet parking. If you would like to visit, then definitely make a reservation.
• The desert can get extremely windy. We experienced high winds up to 50mph, which blow sand. This can reduce visibility on highways, irritate your eyes, and make dining indoors more pleasant.

Things to do in La Quinta for First-Time Visitors

Explore Old Town

One of the best activities you can do early on in your trip is to familiarize yourself with the heart of La Quinta, also known as Old Town. This European-inspired upscale dining and shopping center features over 30 businesses.

I’ll share a few of my favorite restaurants below, but in the meantime here are a few shops that I loved:

• Lulu’s Fine Home & Fashion Accessories
• Coco Rose
• Coco Rose Home

Plus, there is ample free parking at multiple lots around the center.

Visit the Weekly Farmer’s Market

It’s tough to beat the lively vibes of a Sunday morning at the La Quinta Farmer’s Market. Hosted in Old Town, local vendors dot the street serving up great eats, crafts, and flower bouquets.

If you’re looking to stock up on fresh produce, all of the fruits and veggies have been grown within 100 miles of the Coachella Valley!

The farmers market happens Sundays from 8am to 1pm between October and May.

Grab Coffee from YES PLEASE

Gosh, the picture-perfect latte art on my Brown Sugar Butter Lattes could not have been cuter! The aesthetics paired with great flavor and friendly service easily made YES PLEASE my favorite coffee shop in La Quinta.

And, trust me, they have a expansive menu! Whether you are craving a jalapeno bagel breakfast sandwich, a fresh acai bowl, or chilequiles with poached egg, you can enjoy it here.

Besides coffee, you can sip mimosas, zero proof cocktails, and matcha.

{RELATED POST: Best Coffee Shops in Portland Oregon}

Shop & Create Art at the Old Town Artisan Studios

I don’t know about you, but browsing local art is always something I look forward to on trips. After doing some digging (including speaking with residents), I can confidently recommend Old Town Artisan Studios.

It’s much more than a gallery. It is a garden-like campus where you’ll find the community letting their creativity shine through ceramics, fused glass, painting, and more. Whether you opt to take a class, paint ceramics, or simply peruse the shop like I did, prepare to be amazed.

The shops is full of art created by local artists right here. I saw a few pieces inspired by orca whales and the Oregon Coast, which was fun to see. However, I knew I had to take home this fused glass barrel cactus when I saw it. Souvenirs don’t get more special than local art!

Ride E-Bikes Through a Nature Preserve

To be honest, I wasn’t totally convinced that riding a bike needed to be on my list of things to do in La Quinta. But, a few minutes into our ride at the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve had me saying I wanted to do this on every visit!

We walked into Pedego Bicycles in Old Town and were able to rent e-bikes for 2 hours without making a reservation ahead of time. Both bikes came with a water bottle holder and a securely fastened bag for storing phones, wallets, keys, etc. We also borrowed helmets as well.

Our adventure started by easily navigated a couple of city blocks before connecting with the 4.8 mile nature trail. This trail hugs the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains on one side, and a large residential area on the other side. During our ride, we shared the trail with many other people who were walking, jogging, or biking, so it felt very safe. Be sure to bring lots of water, as there is not much shade.

We turned around at the Cove Oasis Trailhead. From there, you can either go back on the nature path, explore some neighborhood streets (which is what we did), or take the bike path/side walk on the opposite side of the residential area to create a loop.

Explore the Civic Center Campus

As far as parks go, the Civic Center Campus is top-of-the-line. We rode our bikes here after finishing up at the nature preserve, and I was so delighted by the lush greenery, manmade waterfall, and koi fish.

If you’re looking for a place to have a picnic, there’s some shady spots here that would be perfect!

Go for a Hike at Cove Oasis

Hands down, no list of things to do in La Quinta is complete without connecting with nature at the Cove Oasis trailhead. There’s something for everyone, whether you want a casual, flat stroll (pick your path before the trails head up into the mountains) or a challenging trek to a palm tree oasis (Bear Creek Oasis Trail). Or, for something in between you can opt to hike to Lake Cahuilla (Cove to Lake Trail).

Regardless, it’s absolutely worth taking advantage of such great access to hiking trails. In fact, they are only 5 minutes away from Old Town! And, it’s pretty awesome to see La Quinta from a fresh perspective.

{RELATED POST: 50 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State}

Note that this area is home to bighorn sheep. While we didn’t spot any on our visit, it’s important to give them space, never feed them, and always stay on marked paths to protect both them and the fragile desert ecosystem.

Happy Hour at TQLAS

There’s no shortage of Mexican restaurants around, and I highly recommend Old Town’s TQLAS. We didn’t intend to visit during happy hour, but when we did we were surprised by their great deals on appetizers like taquitos and tacos as well as margaritas.

Oh, and the chips and salsa are 10/10. The chips are perfectly crispy and seasoned with spice, which pairs nicely with the hot salsa. Exactly how I like it! Even if we didn’t love our entrees (which we did), I’d come back just for the chips and salsa haha.

Visit the La Quinta Musuem

For a deeper connection to the desert beyond its pretty views, a stop at the La Quinta Museum is a must. And bonus—it’s totally free!

This charming museum is small but thoughtfully curated, with a mix of permanent and rotating exhibits. During our visit, the featured hall celebrated women pioneers of California, while the main floor mural beautifully illustrated how La Quinta has evolved over time—from untouched desert to the vibrant community it is today.

Upstairs, you’ll find a little bit of everything. Exhibits span the stories of the indigenous Desert Cahuilla Indians, early cattle ranchers, and the glamorous era of the Desert Club, a social hotspot in the 1900s that helped put La Quinta on the map.

One of our favorite parts? The section on local wildlife and Lake Cahuilla—super informative and perfect if you’re planning to hike nearby. And don’t miss the sweet little interactive area where you can mail a postcard to loved ones—or send one to yourself as a keepsake from the trip. Such a fun, personal touch!

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