It’s no secret that filmmaker Frank Capra loved La Quinta and considered the La Quinta Hotel his lucky charm after collaborating with Robert Riskin on the screenplay for “It Happened One Night” while staying in one of the casitas.
The 1934 movie, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, which inspired Capra to come back and write more screenplays at the hotel today known as the La Quinta Resort and Club.
The La Quinta Museum recently opened a new exhibit, “La Quinta Legends: Frank Capra,” which features detailed information about his storied film career and his time in La Quinta.
Among the items exhibited is a turquoise bedspread with embroidered peacock used by Capra at the hotel and a headboard from the Capras’ La Quinta Country Club that Arthur Elrod designed.
There are movie posters and photos as well as personal photos and memorabilia.
Other items include movie posters and still photos, pictures of the Capras in La Quinta, including his attendance at the groundbreaking for St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the celebration of the incorporation of the City of La Quinta, and more.
A video of former La Quinta Hotel general manager Judy Vossler and her daughter, Lisa Vossler Smith, sharing their memories of the Capras plays continuously.
The success of “It Happened One Night” brought Capra to La Quinta back often to work on other screenplays that would become Hollywood classics, including “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
The community quickly became his “Shangri-La,” and he and his wife, Lucille “Lou” Capra, bought a home on Avenida Fernando in La Quinta Country Club, where they lived full-time when he retired.
Around 1980, they decided the house was too big for them, and the Capras asked if they could live at the La Quinta Hotel full-time, Vossler says in the video.
Assisted living facilities didn’t exist then, and the hotel was happy to have the Capras stay. They received three meals a day and housekeeping services, Vossler said.
At one point, Capra asked if he could get a volunteer job as the hotel greeter, which Vossler was happy to approve.
Vossler said celebrities would come to the hotel to meet with Capra, and it wasn’t uncommon to walk around a corner and see him chatting with Bette Davis, for example.
The casita the Capras called home, the San Anselmo, has a plaque in front honoring the filmmaker. His typewriter sits on a desk next to a window inside the casita.
Smith talks of befriending Capra when she was 10 years old. He would wait for her to return from school, and they would go off with their cameras to take pictures.
At such a young age, Smith didn’t know that her friend was a legendary filmmaker.
Both Frank and Lou Capra died in La Quinta – she in 1984 and he in 1991.
You can view the Frank Capra exhibit at the La Quinta Museum Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
For more about the museum’s exhibits and free programs, visit www.playinlaquinta.com.
Thinking about your next trip to La Quinta but not sure what to do with your four-legged family member? Here in La Quinta, we embrace animal lovers of all kinds and understand the importance of being able to bring your pets along with you. To ensure you get the best experience possible, here are some pet-friendly places in La Quinta to enjoy with your best friend including parks, hikes, restaurants, hotels, and more!
Fritz Burns Dog Park is a fun place to bring your pup for some fresh air and sunshine. All dog breeds are welcome. There are designated areas for large and small dogs. Whether you want to keep your pup on a leash and walk around the adjacent Fritz Burns Park or go off-leash at the dog park, your dog will have an adventurous time exploring the outdoors. Fritz Burns Dog Park is open to the public and is located at 78107 Avenue 52, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Seasons Dog Park is by far one of La Quinta’s largest dog parks and has great rolling grassy hills for your dogs to run around. Grab your pups and come on down to enjoy a lovely sunny day. Seasons Dog Park is open to the public and is located at 78100 Cloud View Way, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Pioneer Dog Park has all the essentials that you and your dog will need to enjoy a perfect morning or afternoon. With separate sides for small and large dogs, there are trees, grass patches, water stations, and pick-up stations to ensure a clean park. Pioneer Dog Park is open to the public, from sunrise to sunset, and is located at 78695 Miles Ave, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Cove Oasis Trailhead is a great place to take your dog if you are looking to get some of their energy out! Located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, this easy 1.8-mile trail is mostly flat, offering picnic tables, benches, water stations, and public art. The trailhead is located at 54990 Avenida Madero, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is located right at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and is a beautiful place to visit for a stroll or afternoon picnic. All dogs must stay on a leash and they cannot swim in the water. However, there is plenty of space around the 135-acre lake for you and your pup to explore. From now until October 1st, Lake Cahuilla is open Friday through Monday only, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is located at 58075 Jefferson St, La Quinta, CA, 92253.
RD RNNR. This local favorite in Old Town La Quinta is a hot spot for Craft American cuisine using local farm-to-table ingredients, refreshing craft cocktails, and a well-balanced selection of hops and rotating craft taps for an amazing happy hour. Dine out on the patio and sip on a beer or cocktail while your pup makes a choice from the Pup Plate Menu, featuring doggy favorites like Angus patties, chicken breast, and even a whipped cream dessert treat! RD RNNR Libations, Pints & Plates is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Grill on Main. If you are looking to enjoy lunch or dinner and don’t want to leave your dog at home, head over to The Grill on Main, where you can find delicious, classic American fare in a lively atmosphere. Sit out on the pet-friendly patio and with your pooch and enjoy the beautiful weather and people watching, while indulging in some amazing food. The Grill on Main is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m. (dinner only) and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
La Quinta Resort & Club is the premier Coachella Valley luxury hotel, featuring private casitas, luxury suites, spacious villas, a world-class Spa, three unique restaurants, PGA West championship golf courses, world-class tennis and pickleball courts, 41 climate-controlled pools, and yoga retreats. Their ultimate PAWS La Quinta Canine Experience offers special, dog-friendly perks and amenities like food and water bowls in the room, a plush doggy bed, a PupJoy goody box, lots of pet relief areas, and more than 45 acres of open grounds to roam.
The Chateau at Lake La Quinta is a 24-room boutique hotel with a gorgeous lakeside view, picturesque surroundings, and beautifully appointed rooms. Whether you are looking for a romantic desert getaway, an enchanting wedding destination or a tranquil spot to relax, The Chateau is the perfect destination with unrivaled personalized service. They welcome your furry, four-legged family members to enjoy the serene waterfront setting with you. At check in, your furry friend will feel like royalty with their own doggie bed, water bowl, and special treat. Your pet will need to be on a leash at all times when in the common and dining areas. The Chateau even has a special pet menu created by their executive chef to ensure your pup also gets to try some amazing food.
VCA All Creatures Animal Hospital provides comprehensive veterinary care for all species of critter. From fur to feather, from scale to snail, they are equipped with the knowledge and resources to provide a wide array of services including surgery, dentistry, comprehensive laboratory diagnostics, microchip identification, wellness packages, homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and much more.
VCA Village Park Animal Hospital provides veterinary services for every stage in your pet’s life, from the first shots to a lifetime of preventive care to keep them happy and healthy. And if your pet ever needs truly advanced veterinary care, VCA Specialty Hospitals are ready to help.
La Quinta Pet Hospital is a full-service, small animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care to La Quinta and the entire Coachella Valley.
Whether it’s hitting the park or hiking trail for a stroll, checking out the local shops, or simply grabbing a bite to eat with your four-legged friend, the City of La Quinta makes it easy for you to bring them along for the journey!
As we welcome the summer months, and 100+ degree weather, we tend to stay inside with the cold A/C running. However, La Quinta still offers breathtaking views, serene escapes for relaxation, and a vibrant and diverse old town charm. Here are a few ways to keep yourself moving and cool during the summer in La Quinta:
Fish, Hike, and Camp. As the only significant body of water in the Coachella Valley, Lake Cahuilla provides an outdoor experience like no other. Surrounded by the beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla is a favorite recreational spot in the scenic Coachella Valley that offers camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking trails, and you can even bring your horse trailer to go horseback riding. The lake is regularly stocked with catfish, bass, and trout to ensure you have a competitive chance of catching one.
With over 150 sites and 46 RV hookups, Lake Cahuilla is the perfect spot for both individual and group camping. Bringing your pup? All dogs must be on a leash and they cannot play or swim in the lake. However, there is plenty of space for you and your pup to explore.
Visit www.rivcoparks.org/lake-cahuilla for the lake’s opening days and times.
Relax and Unwind. The La Quinta Resort & Club is the premier Coachella Valley luxury hotel resort, featuring private casitas, luxury suites, spacious villas, the world-class Spa La Quinta, three unique restaurants, five PGA West championship golf courses, tournament-quality tennis and pickleball courts, 41 climate-controlled pools, and yoga retreats. This picturesque property is sprawled across 45 acres of land with the spectacular backdrop of the iconic Santa Rosa Mountains. The historic 1920s property features adobe white casitas and Spanish style furnishings that will enhance any mood. Those visiting will experience endless flowerbeds underneath seas of palm trees and limitless opportunities for relaxation.
Spa La Quinta offers a variety of body treatments, skincare, and nail services using the best skincare products in the world. Massage therapy is a great way to treat yourself when stressed. Spa treatments may help you get better sleep, improve blood flow and circulation, promote radiant skin, and of course increase happiness. Bringing your pup? La Quinta Resort & Club offers the ultimate PAWS La Quinta Canine Experience with special dog-friendly, in-room and resort amenities, with plenty of open grounds to roam.
Visit the La Quinta Resort & Club at www.laquintaresort.com for availability and services.
Sensational Shopping and Dining Delights. Nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Old Town is La Quinta’s gathering place and Main Street. With its California Renaissance architectural charm and village atmosphere, there are over 30 unique cafes, shops, boutiques, salons, and services in this vibrant and beautiful setting.
Old Town La Quinta is dedicated to local entrepreneurs, chefs, and farmers. Start your day with a freshly-baked muffin and artisan coffee. Meander through the curved streets as you pop into local shops to get out of the heat. There you will find curated bath and wellness products to pamper yourself, hand-crafted Italian olive oil and balsamic vinegar imports, and a full body and mind retreat that will relax all your senses. When your stomach grumbles, head over to any of the intimate, casual, or fine dining restaurants that offer indoor and al-fresco dining for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Most patios have ceiling fans and water misters to bring the temperature down for your comfort. Old Town has culinary options from pizza and pasta to fresh seafood, steak, tacos, and American gastronomy cuisine. Wash it all down with an elegant wine or locally brewed pint.
Visit oldtownlaquinta.com for a listing of shops, restaurants, and personal services in Old Town La Quinta.
History and Culture. The La Quinta Museum is breathtaking in its own way with an aesthetic charm, a courtyard and stairway that seem straight out of a movie, and thoughtful exhibits to stimulate your curiosity. Inside the doors of this free museum, you will find plenty to do all summer long and at zero cost.
Step back in time and discover the origins of La Quinta through dioramas of a Cahuilla Indian village, native animals, and the Coachella Valley’s desert landscape. Fast forward to the homesteaders, ranchers, and resort dreamers of the early 20th century that found solace and a new way of life in La Quinta. The La Quinta Hotel (now La Quinta Resort & Club) and the Desert Club attracted business tycoons and celebrities alike with their serene desert oasis escapes from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Kirk Douglas and Rita Hayworth were regulars at the Desert Club, while Frank Capra wrote the screenplays for It’s a Wonderful Life and It Happened One Night at his private La Quinta Hotel casita.
In addition to the story of La Quinta, the museum also has an exhibit on how La Quinta was incorporated in 1982 as well as two revolving exhibits that feature local legends and cultural impacts significant to this region. This air-conditioned oasis is sure to keep you cool, entertained, and enlightened. Visit www.playinlaquinta.com/arts-culture/la-quinta-museum for operating days, times, exhibits, and programs.
Active Art Community and Venue. Over the years, La Quinta has morphed into a prestigious art town. The City hosts the semi-annual La Quinta Art Celebration, which is held in March and November on Civic Center Campus. The La Quinta Art Celebration combines jury-selected artists and their original artworks from across the country and world, enthusiastic art patrons, and unsurpassed community support and event staff to bring a VIP art show experience to all. The event was selected as the #1 Fine Art and Fine Craft Art Event in the nation in 2022 by Art Fair SourceBook and recently won Southwest Art’s Favorite Outdoor Art Festival in 2023.
La Quinta has accumulated many original pieces of art over the years and showcases them throughout the City with their Art in Public Places program. Looking for awe-inspiring murals to get that selfie post? There are six murals to choose from including Bird Song, Bloom, and Hydra. How about a unique piece that pops out from a roundabout or street corner? Make sure to check out Desert Legacy, Roadrunner, and Andalusian Horse and Rider. There are also many art pieces inside City facilities at City Hall, the Wellness Center, and the La Quinta Public Library.
The City created a folding pocket map of all public artworks and their locations. See if you can find them all! Visit www.playinlaquinta.com/art-fifth for more information.
With all of these great options to keep cool, don’t forget to take a peek out the window and catch another glimpse of those one-of-a-kind views!
If you have been looking for an excuse to get a little more exercise, National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 19, might be the perfect day to trade your car keys for a bicycle and helmet.
La Quinta prides itself on being a bike friendly community, with nearly 130 miles of designated bike lanes and paths.
The City has invested in making bike lanes safer and more connected over the last 10 years, and continually completes gap closures where bike lanes are missing; installs green paint to highlight where bike paths are located; reduces vehicle lane widths to increase the width of bike lanes; and installs painted buffers along existing bike lanes.
These safety improvements are completed with every citywide Striping Refresh Project, Pavement Rehabilitation and Pavement Maintenance Project the City completes.
National Bike to Work Day coincides with May being designated as National Bike Safety Month.
Be sure to always bike safely, whether riding to work or for recreation.
Wear your helmet, stay in the bike lanes, and remember that all cyclists must obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicle drivers. Working lights and reflectors are also essential for staying safe.
Friday promises to be a warm day, with a forecast for temperatures above 100 degrees, so don’t forget your water and sunscreen.
Twenty-nine individuals with 29 different stories of how and why they came to the United States and what brought them to stay and become citizens make up a new traveling exhibit now on display at the La Quinta Museum.
“The Newest Americans” is a collection of photos and personal narratives in English and Spanish that tell the story of how each of the featured 29 immigrants carved a path to citizenship.
It is the work of photographer Sam Comen and reporter Michael Estrin, produced in partnership with the California Museum and traveled by Exhibit Envoy.
The exhibit participants represent 23 countries, including Mexico, Syria, Belize, India, Ecuador, Ukraine and Russia.
The reasons each gives for coming to the United States vary. Some came in search of the “American Dream” that promises opportunity and success not found in their native countries.
“Here, it’s not more freedom, it’s freedom – period,” said Harutyun Mkrtchyan of Armenia.
One woman was a teenager when her mother moved them to the United States to give her daughter a better future.
Another woman came to visit family, fell in love and stayed to build her own family.
Yet another was brought here by her love of music. Since she was a little girl, Katya Sonina of Russia “knew I wanted to be an American.”
She auditioned for Juilliard and was accepted, arriving in the United States just days before the 9/11 terror attacks.
“It was a very traumatic time because I was so happy to be at Juilliard and in America, but there was this horrible tragedy. But what I saw in New York was people coming together,” Sonina recalled in the text that accompanies her photo.
“I saw love breaking down walls and healing grief. I saw that and felt like this is my country,” she said.
The exhibit also includes a 15-question civics test that is part of the application process for citizenship, and an interactive element asking kids to list six examples of what makes them good citizens.
“The Newest Americans” is on exhibit in the first-floor gallery through July 23.
The La Quinta Museum, at 77885 Avenida Montezuma, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
Find out more about the La Quinta Museum, its exhibits and ongoing programs and events, at www.playinlaquinta.com, as well as Instagram and Facebook.
The City of La Quinta is home to about 580 brick-and-mortar businesses, roughly 70% of which are small, unique, locally-owned businesses.
La Quinta celebrates and supports its small businesses and encourages everyone to check out the different shops and restaurants, especially during the summer months when snowbirds and tourists have left.
In honor of National Small Business Week, April 30-May 6, here is a sample of the different types of new and longstanding businesses calling La Quinta home.
Beautiful Day restaurant
Justin and Mackenzie Jenkins opened Beautiful Day next to Grocery Outlet in the La Quinta Village shopping center just over a year ago.
They serve a farm-to-table menu of meat, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Everything is made to order, and they make every effort to accommodate all dietary needs and food allergies.
“We wanted a place where everyone could come” and enjoy a meal, Mackenzie said.
The menu reflects both Mackenzie, who is a vegan, and Justin who eats meat but only buys eggs, chicken and meat from farms and ranches where the animals have been humanely raised.
The two metat his Cathedral City restaurant, Justin’s, when Mackenzie decided to move to the desert after her van broke down. Looking for a job, she wound up at Justin’s.
The two bought a house in the cove and after closing the restaurant in Cathedral City they began their catering business. Justin had eyed the Beautiful Day location, next door to Grocery Outlet, when it was still Chapelli’s Italian restaurant.
When they heard the space was available, they went to work creating a place with a positive, upbeat vibe from the remodeled interior with a brighter décor to the name, Beautiful Day.
They have been married for about four years and have a 2 ½-year-old son, River, who loves to help in the Beautiful Day kitchen, stirring ingredients.
The Jenkins love being in La Quinta where they and their new restaurant have been well received.
“Overall, the community has been very welcoming,” Mackenzie said.
“It’s been great. People are coming back,” Justin said, adding their business has grown a lot from customers recommending Beautiful Day to their friends and family.
Menu items include griddled hotcakes topped with whipped cream and huckleberry sauce made with fresh huckleberries; breakfast burrito with farm fresh eggs that can be substituted with tofu scramble for vegans; granola bowl; and more, including Grandpa’s Waffles made on the waffle iron that had belonged to Justin’s grandfather.
Among the sandwich options are a Double Smashburger with Aspin Ridge beef patties, cheese, grilled onions, pickles and a special sauce on a potato bun, chicken salad sandwich, and the Roast Beet Reuben, a vegan sandwich made with roasted beet “pastrami,” homemade sauerkraut and Russian dressing on sourdough bread.
“I liked to think the Roast Beet Reuben was inspired by me, a vegan Jew,” Mackenzie joked.
Beautiful Day also now serves a selection of beer and wine, and there are plans to open a wine bar soon.
Beautiful Day is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, serving breakfast and lunch.
The full menu and more about Beautiful Day can be found on the restaurant’s website, www.itsabeautifulday.love as well as Instagram and Facebook.
Art Major Studio
La Quinta resident Allie Baker, an author and mother of two children, ages 2 and 4, loves to do art with kids. But painting and all can get messy so she would prefer not to do it at home.
She came up with the idea for a studio where people of all ages and abilities could come in and be creative, and not worry about the mess. In November her idea became reality when she opened Art Major Studio next to Vons in the Plaza La Quinta shopping center.
Art Major is a place where everyone can “let loose, go for the glitter and express themselves through art.”
They can spill paint and glitter and it’s OK.
Baker especially wanted to create a place where kids feel creative and free to use their imaginations, but also be safe.
There are rows of shelves filled with everything needed to create a work of art – paint and brushes, glitter, glue, felt-tip pens, stencils, yarn, bows and so much more.
Things that small children could easily choke on or hurt themselves with, such as buttons and beads, are kept on top shelves they cannot reach. Everything on the lower shelves is deemed safe for all ages and kids can help themselves to it all.
Baker also has aprons so artists young and old don’t leave wearing the paint.
Art Major is open for drop-ins from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and seven days a week during the summer break when schools are closed. Cost is $25 per artist for an hour, and all supplies are provided.
There are classes and events scheduled every month, and the studio is available for birthday parties.
Kids Craft Camps are held during school breaks. Reservations are now being taken for summer camps, held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 5 through August 11. Baker hires teachers to lead the camps, which are open to all ages. The kids all craft together, and the older kids are encouraged to help the younger kids.
“We call them CITs – counselors in training,” Baker said.
Day and weeklong passes for summer camp sessions can be purchased online at www.artmajorstudio.com/camp or by calling or texting (760) 860-8668.
Baker opened her business in La Quinta because this is where she and her family live.
“I love La Quinta,” Baker said. “I love the city and knew I wanted to stay in our community.”
From the start, she has been “100% well received,” Baker said.
Many parents who come in then follow Art Major Studio on Facebook and Instagram where they will give feedback and help spread the word to others.
“I come from L.A. which is very much a what can you do for me community,” Baker said. “La Quinta and the Coachella Valley are very much what a can I do for you mentality which is really appreciated and paid forward.”
Jadabug’s Kids Boutique and Jadabug’s Elite Repeat
In opening her first business, Baker has received a lot of guidance from fellow small business owner Heidi McArthur, whose stores Jadabug’s Kids Boutique and Jadabug’s Elite Repeat are just a few doors down from Art Major Studio.
Heidi McArthur bought Jadabug’s about eight years ago and moved the store from the Costco shopping center to the Vons center. Five years ago, she expanded into an adjoining suite, allowing her to add to her inventory.
“La Quinta is a good place” for small businesses, she said. “The culture of La Quinta is very friendly and family oriented.”
The City is small business friendly, as well, McArthur said. Getting help and permits from City Hall has always been easy, she said.
During the pandemic, the City offered grants and zero-interest loans to La Quinta’s small businesses to help them stay open. She also received emailed updates regularly during the state of emergency.
“Nobody did for small businesses what the City of La Quinta did,” she said.
Jadabug’s Kids Boutique sells children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes and sandals, stuffed animals, toys for all ages, books, games, feeding essentials including bottles, bibs and more.
McArthur carries top of the line strollers and car seats, including Nuna, Stokke and UPPAbaby.
A large selection of items, including strollers, cribs, and car seats, can also be rented.
Three doors down from the boutique, McArthur recently opened Jadabug’s Elite Repeat which is run by her oldest son. The children’s and maternity consignment boutique takes in clothing, cribs, strollers, toys and other items in usable and wearable condition.
When the items are sold, the customer who brought them in can collect a check or use the money as store credit. For more about this store and what can be consigned, visit www.jadabugseliterepeat.com.
Jadabug’s Kids Boutique is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 2 p.m. Sunday.
Visit www.jadabugs.com or call (760) 347-7406 or email heidi@jadabugs.com.
If you are among the millions of Americans who enjoy a good cup of tea, then La Quinta is the place to be on April 21, National Tea Day.
There are at least three specialty shops in La Quinta where tea lovers can find a variety of teas, iced and hot.
Whether you prefer your tea black and unsweetened, maybe have a passion for something fruity, or you like to switch things up day to day, the right cup of tea can be found in La Quinta.
Cali Rosina Tea & Chocolate, at 78120 Calle Estado Suite 104, is owned by siblings Jodie and Josh Smith who offer 200 different varieties of loose-leaf tea blends, served hot or iced. If you aren’t quite sure what you want, Jodie is happy to create a blend that matches your mood or craving.
The Smiths also offer about 270 craft chocolates from around the world, hand-selected by Josh Smith, as well as a selection of locally baked cookies, gifts, gift baskets and more.
Check out Cali Rosina’s Facebook page for more information, including any specialty items added to the menu for a limited time.
Happy Tea Café, at 78742 Highway 111 Suite C, marked its one-year anniversary in La Quinta in February.
The café offers boba, tea and coffee along with the taiyaki croissants, a popular Japanese fish-shaped street food.
The menu offers a variety of organic loose-leaf teas, coffee made with hand-picked beans, seasonal fresh fruits, three different milk alternatives and more.
Visit www.happyteacafe.com for a look at the menu.
The Bunny Tea, at 79680 Highway 111 Suite 101, offers a variety of milk and fruit blend teas with fresh fruit chunks, tea slushies, smoothies and coffee.
The menu often includes a specialty item. The Bunny Tea is currently serving a lineup of Coachella Music and Arts Festival artist-inspired blends. All are fresh brewed.
Visit www.thebunnytea.com for a full menu.
Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Main Street Coffee Company, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and most restaurants also offer a variety of hot and iced tea.
A few tea facts from the Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.:
For anyone with a dog, cat, or another type of animal as a companion or best friend, National Pet Day is every day and not just April 11.
Nevertheless, the annual event offers another opportunity to celebrate our pets, whether dogs, cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, birds, fish, turtles, snakes, lizards, or whatever, with extra hugs, treats, toys, and anything else that helps them know how much they are loved and appreciated.
La Quinta is a pet-friendly City.
Many of our restaurants, hotels and resorts welcome four-legged guests, dogs especially. All four-legged pets must be accompanied by a human. Call ahead first to be sure your friend will be welcomed.
Most of our parks and hiking trails are also pet friendly, but please clean up after them and don’t forget the leash.
If hiking, you’ll want to take extra water for your little friend, and when it’s hot out protect your dogs’ delicate feet with paw protectors.
First celebrated in 2006, National Pet Day was founded by animal welfare advocate Colleen Page, who came up with the idea while promoting pet adoption. So, the day isn’t just about celebrating our pets but to heighten interest in adoption.
If you don’t have a pet but are looking for a new companion, there are numerous animal shelters throughout the Coachella Valley, most of them no-kill-shelters with all kinds of animals waiting for someone to love.
For a list of places to go and things to do in La Quinta, visit www.playinlaquinta.com.
If you have been looking for an excuse to go outside for some exercise, soak up some sun and take in La Quinta’s incomparable views of the mountains, maybe National Take a Walk in the Park Day on Thursday, March 30, will offer some added inspiration.
La Quinta has more than a dozen parks throughout the city, each with different amenities, including playgrounds, picnic tables, and benches. All are pet-friendly, but be sure your dog, cat or rabbit is on a leash.
The following parks have walking paths:
Civic Center Campus: A walking path circles this 17.5-acre park adjacent to City Hall, the library, and Wellness Center, and includes a pond inhabited by a variety of ducks and fish, a gazebo, benches and picnic tables, public art, restrooms, one of the best views of the mountains and more.
SilverRock Park: One of the city’s newest parks, this 14-acre venue is located off SilverRock Drive across from the SilverRock golf course, includes a walking path, lake and stream, amphitheater, restrooms, and an event building all set against the Santa Rosa Mountains.
La Quinta Park: In addition to a walking path, this 18-acre park on the northeast corner of Adams Street and Blackhawk Way includes a playground, barbecues, picnic tables, restrooms, ball fields, public art and more.A new splash pad is under construction and scheduled to open in mid-June.
Cove Oasis: At the top of the cove, off Calle Tecate, you will find walking paths and hiking trails that lead to beautiful views of La Quinta and the Coachella Valley. There is also a picnic area with tables.
Adams: This community park on La Palma Drive and Adams Street also includes a playground, sand volleyball, picnic tables and more.
Desert Pride: This park on Birchcrest Circle also includes a playground, picnic tables and public art.
Fred Wolff Nature Preserve: Access to the preserve, named for the City of La Quinta’s first mayor, is off Avenida Madero. The preserve is adjacent to Bear Creek Trail and includes picnic tables.
Playgrounds for dogs and more
These three parks have playgrounds just for dogs:
Fritz Burns: On the corner of Avenue 52 and Avenida Bermuda, this 12-acre park is also home to the city’s only community swim center, a skate park, pickleball and tennis courts, picnic tables, barbecues, restrooms and more.
Pioneer: Located on Seeley Drive off Miles Avenue, this park also includes a playground and picnic tables.
Seasons: This park, at 78296 Cloud View Way, also includes picnic tables and a playground.
There are several more parks with playgrounds, picnic tables and other amenities as well as plenty of room to run around or take a stroll.
Included in the list is the X Park competition level skate park with multiple bowls, street course, pump track and other features for beginner, advanced and professional users. The city’s newest park, on Dune Palms Road across from La Quinta High School, includes a pro shop, seating area for viewers and restrooms.
So, grab your furry friend – don’t forget the leash – some water or coffee, kids or friends and take a stroll around one of La Quinta’s parks, not just on National Take a Walk in the Park Day, but any day. More information about La Quinta parks, their locations and hours can be found at www.laquintaca.gov.
La Quinta Museum will be celebrating Cesar Chavez Day with a special presentation from 3 to 4 p.m. March 31 in the Community Room.
“La Sobremesa: Cesar Chavez Day!” will explore the life of Chavez, who died in 1993, and his fight to defend the rights of farm workers in California through interviews, books and images.
The event will be in Spanish and will include refreshments. It is this month’s Spanish Cultural Day event at the museum and is free and open to all.
Cesar Chavez was a civil rights activist and American labor leader who with Dolores Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union.
For decades, Chavez dedicated his life’s work to the struggle of farm workers, most of whom were barely getting by on their wages of just 40 cents an hour. Chavez worked tirelessly to improve working and living conditions through organizing and negotiating contracts with their employers.
In September 1965, the NFWA and the Filipino-American labor group, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, launched a strike against California’s grape growers that lasted five years and grew into a nationwide boycott of California grapes.
Chavez brought the boycott drew widespread support when he led a 340-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966, and in 1968 went on a 25-day hunger strike.
His birth date, March 31, was first established as a legal holiday in 2000 by then-Governor Gray Davis. It was established as a federal commemorative holiday in 2014 by then-President Barack Obama.
On exhibit through April 15
When at the museum for “La Sobremesa: Cesar Chavez Day!” be sure to include some time to view “In the Fields of the North / En los Campos del Norte,” a traveling exhibit displayed in the downstairs gallery.
The exhibit is a series of photographs accompanied by oral narratives by photographer and journalist David Bacon.It was produced in partnership with the California Rural Legal Assistance and the Binational Front of Indigenous organizations and is presented in English and Spanish. It includes photos of Coachella Valley farm workers.
“In the Fields of the North / En los Campos del Norte,” is traveled by Exhibit Envoy, and is on display through April 15.
Recently added is a display of personal items from Coachella Valley resident, farm worker and author, Maria Victoria Castillo, which includes her family’s UFW flag, harvesting tools they used and other items, including several photos.
Castillo and her family were members of the UFW, and the union flag displayed is the one her mother, Maria Teresa Ramirez, waved while picketing in the Coachella Valley fields in the early 1970s.
Castillo shares her family’s history and experiences in a book she recently wrote, “Field Work Through the Eyes of a Child.”
The La Quinta Museum, at 77-885 Avenida Montezuma, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Admission is free. For more about the museum, its exhibits, concerts and other events and programs, visit www.playinlaquinta.com or check out the La Quinta Museum’s Facebook page.
