Lindsay's Guidebook
Excursions
The Living Desert and Zoo is a fabulous zoo experience! Small enough to explore in 2-3 hours if you are pressed for time but also can provide a whole day of entertainment. They have interactive exhibits that allow you to feed the giraffes($8), walk around with wallabies and be inside the cages with a variety of animals. From Oct-May you can access hiking trails that bring you to the San Andres Fault line and picnic tables. Lots of shaded areas to sit and rest and enjoy your packed lunch.
Pack your own food and water as food options are limited.
889 locals recommend
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola AvePack your own food and water as food options are limited.
The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is back!!! It will run February 17-26 2023 at the fairgrounds in Indio.
13 locals recommend
Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
82-503 CA-111The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival is back!!! It will run February 17-26 2023 at the fairgrounds in Indio.
Weekly street fair every Saturday from 8 am-2 pm October-May and 8 am-12pm June-September. Swap meet style shopping, small farmers market area and food trucks.
65 locals recommend
The Street Fair at College of the Desert
43-500 Monterey AveWeekly street fair every Saturday from 8 am-2 pm October-May and 8 am-12pm June-September. Swap meet style shopping, small farmers market area and food trucks.
Sightseeing
Make sure to get a date shake but find someone to share it with because it is big!!
103 locals recommend
Shields Date Garden
80-225 CA-111Make sure to get a date shake but find someone to share it with because it is big!!
The first Saturday from October to May they offer free expert led bird walks at 8 AM. Free. Donations accepted.
https://www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org/events
Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center
46500 Van Buren StThe first Saturday from October to May they offer free expert led bird walks at 8 AM. Free. Donations accepted.
https://www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org/events
Certified Farmers Market on Sundays from 8:30 AM- 1:30 PM October-April.
https://oldtownlaquinta.com/certified-farmers-market/
Art on Main Street -
https://oldtownlaquinta.com/art-on-main-street/
2022: November 26 & December 10
2023: January 7 & 21, February 4 & 18, March 11 & 25
10 AM-4 PM
271 locals recommend
Old Town La Quinta
78100 Main StCertified Farmers Market on Sundays from 8:30 AM- 1:30 PM October-April.
https://oldtownlaquinta.com/certified-farmers-market/
Art on Main Street -
https://oldtownlaquinta.com/art-on-main-street/
2022: November 26 & December 10
2023: January 7 & 21, February 4 & 18, March 11 & 25
10 AM-4 PM
Food scene
30th annual Tamale Festival takes place December 3-4 2022.
7 locals recommend
Indio International Tamale Festival - The 1st full weekend in December every year!
100 Civic Center Mall30th annual Tamale Festival takes place December 3-4 2022.
Car Shows
La Quinta Cars & Coffee
Every Saturday from 7 AM-10 AM at Aspen Mills Bakery. Free.
https://carshowsafari.com/event/aspen-mills-cars-coffee-in-la-quinta-2/
Aspen Mills Bread Co.
46-520 Washington St
El Paseo Cruise Night
72559 California 111https://www.elpaseocruisenight.com
Restaurants
This location has a spectacular view of the polo fields and mountains. Sunset is the best time but since the patio faces west, the sun can be harsh until it passes behind the mountains.
23 locals recommend
The Cantina
50-950 Madison StThis location has a spectacular view of the polo fields and mountains. Sunset is the best time but since the patio faces west, the sun can be harsh until it passes behind the mountains.
Sit in the lounge area and order off the lounge menu. The lounge menu offers almost everything on the regular menu but in a smaller portion and a smaller price. Homemade pasta noodles are delicious. Best happy hour prices in the valley from 3 PM-7 PM daily. Their house red wine is actually really good for $4.75 on happy hour!
54 locals recommend
Enzo's Bistro and Bar
78121 Avenida La FondaSit in the lounge area and order off the lounge menu. The lounge menu offers almost everything on the regular menu but in a smaller portion and a smaller price. Homemade pasta noodles are delicious. Best happy hour prices in the valley from 3 PM-7 PM daily. Their house red wine is actually really good for $4.75 on happy hour!
Tennis
BNP Paribas Open will be held March 6-19 2023
https://bnpparibasopen.com/2023-bnpparibasopen-date/
Indian Wells Tennis Garden
78-200 Miles Ave