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About La Quinta, CA

About La Quinta, CA

The Gem of the Desert

Surrounded by golf courses and desert vistas, La Quinta offers resort-style comforts in a luxurious Coachella Valley suburb. Founded as a resort community in 1926, La Quinta is one of the many Coachella Valley retreats that have flourished since their founding — this one earning the nickname "The Gem of the Desert” because of its popularity with the who’s who of Hollywood stars. “There’s an area called the La Quinta Resort that’s been around a long time, and back in the day, it was one of the big places for Hollywood stars to visit,” says John Sloan, Realtor with Keller Williams Luxury Homes. “The nickname comes from that, but also because the city is considered a premier playground for active living with a lot of golf courses, high-end retailers and the serenity of the desert.”

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La Quinta Park has colorful signs.
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There are plenty of great places to shop in La Quinta.
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Expansive estates lit up by stars

Housing in La Quinta is mainly single-family, with Spanish- and Mission-inspired contemporary and ranch-style homes being the norm. Midcentury modern and Pueblo-style houses can also be found. Many residences sport landscaped yards with views of nearby fairways. Unit sizes range from 900 square feet up to 16,000 square feet. Condos and apartment buildings are also available. Houses typically sit along open cul-de-sacs and avenues, though some gated communities exist, too. Massive mansions and palatial estates sport giant inground pools and private courtyards. “What’s interesting about La Quinta is that in many of the areas, especially La Quinta Cove, there are no streetlights,” says Sloan, a 26-year resident of Palm Springs whose realty office is based in La Quinta. “The city really wants residents to be able to enjoy the stars at night, so they left the lights out.” Price tags in the area can be a bit lofty, ranging from the $600,000s to the $900,000s, with expansive estates ranging from just over $1 million to nearly $9 million.

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Adobe homes in La Quinta are plenty and blend in with the environment.
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La Quinta has many spanish style mansions with stunning views of the mountains and golf courses.
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Hike it out on the Cove Trailhead

Large palm and desert pine trees shade La Quinta's streets, parks and nature preserves. Grab a seat and soak in the lake and mountain views from Civic Center Campus Park near the La Quinta Library. La Quinta Park is the largest in the city, offering a playground and a skate park, as well as a seasonal splash park for residents wanting to beat the heat. Experience the stark beauty of the Coachella Valley and the Santa Rosa Mountains at Fred Wolff Nature Reserve, and since La Quinta is a resort community, several golf courses and country clubs offer stunning fairways and recreational centers. “There are also a lot of hiking areas that residents like,” says Sloan. “Andalusia has the Cove and residents can do their hiking on the Cove Trailhead.”

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The Cove Trailhead in La Quinta is a favorite spot for local hikers.
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Take in the beautiful views while hiking at the Cove Trailhead in La Quinta.
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Desert Sands Unified Schools scores soar

Served by the Desert Sands Unified School District, students can attend Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and La Quinta Middle School before enrolling in La Quinta High School. Offering specialized academies with programming for medical health, public service, culinary arts and information and communications technology, La Quinta High has an overall Niche grade of A-minus. Franklin Elementary and La Quinta Middle both have a B.

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Coachella Valley High's wall art showcases creativity and expression.
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Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High offers a space where all people can learn and thrive.
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Concerts in the Park

Big on golfing, La Quinta is full of courses that host events, with PGA West hosting the 2024 American Express PGA Golf Tournament. SilverRock Park hosts the city’s Concerts in the Park series each year, and Art on Main Street brings the creatives to Old Town La Quinta and local artists display and sell a variety of art from paintings to jewelry to photography and much more.

Expansion to come to Highway 111 Corridor

Highway 111 runs through the northern section of the community, with Interstate 10 just a stone’s throw away, offering residents access throughout La Quinta and to the surrounding areas. The city is also implementing the La Quinta 2035 General Plan that looks to evolve and expand the Highway 111 Corridor with the addition of the 49-mile multimodal CV Link connecting Palm Springs and Thermal.

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Highway 111 runs through the northern section of the La Quinta Community.
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For the enjoyment of Andalusia residents, private tennis courts and a pool are readily available
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A touch of French fare at Mimi’s Café

Shopping outlets and quality eateries are abundant in the city, particularly in the Old Town Mall section. Clothing boutiques such as Elizabeth & Prince and unique grocers, including La Quinta Olive Oil Company, sit in the bright-walled, Mediterranean-styled open shopping center lined with tall palms. Grab groceries from the Grocery Outlet or The Certified Farmers’ Market in Old Town La Quinta, which is open on Sundays from October to May, while national franchises like Target and Costco Wholesale offer quality foodstuffs and other essentials. After shopping, you can sample French and American staples at Mimi's Cafe or grab a plate of authentic Mexican fare at La Casita or RD RNNR.

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Locals enjoy breakfast or lunch together at Mimi's Cafe in La Quinta.
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Mimi's Cafe in La Quinta offers a warm atmosphere to gather with friends or family for a meal.
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Golfing is a way of life

La Quinta is a city full of resorts, country clubs and golf courses that cater to its higher-end residents. Most clubs, like Mountain View Country Club, La Citrus Club at La Quinta Resort and The Quarry at La Quinta, require memberships for use, while SilverRock Resort does not.

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Residents of Andalusia will relish the combination of a golf course and serene lakes.
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Golf is a favorite activity for locals in La Quinta.
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Lauren Schott
Written By
Lauren Schott
Samuel Evans
Photography Contributed By
Samuel Evans
Jessica Johnson
Video By
Jessica Johnson

Neighborhood Map

La Quinta Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$887,000
Median Sale Price
$860,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$900,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,000,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$565,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1,569
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$8
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$465

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
354
Months of Supply
2.70

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in La Quinta, CA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
#1 Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
James Monroe Elementary School
#2 James Monroe Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Amelia Earhart Elementary School Of International Studies
#3 Amelia Earhart Elementary School Of International Studies
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
#4 Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Harry S. Truman Elementary School
#5 Harry S. Truman Elementary School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Carrillo Ranch Elementary School
#6 Carrillo Ranch Elementary School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Horizon School
#7 Horizon School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Mountain Vista Elementary School
#8 Mountain Vista Elementary School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Westside Elementary School
#9 Westside Elementary School
C-
Niche
5
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

John Glenn Middle School Of International Studies
#1 John Glenn Middle School Of International Studies
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Horizon School
#2 Horizon School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
#3 Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
La Quinta Middle School
#4 La Quinta Middle School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
#5 Cahuilla Desert Academy Junior High
C-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Toro Canyon Middle School
#6 Toro Canyon Middle School
C-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Indio Middle School
#7 Indio Middle School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Palm Desert High School
#1 Palm Desert High School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
La Quinta High School
#2 La Quinta High School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Horizon School
#3 Horizon School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Indio High School
#4 Indio High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Coachella Valley High School
#5 Coachella Valley High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Desert Mirage High School
#6 Desert Mirage High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Top Neighborhoods in this City

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.