La Quinta Resort & Club is an oasis for human and dog
When it comes to pet travel, the Palm Springs area really knows how to throw a dog a bone. In fact, some people say hoteliers in the region are more likely to roll out the welcome mat for dogs than kids. I’m not sure about that, but during a weekend visit, my pups were wined and dined and treated like royalty. We went on tours, ate together and shared a room at a luxury resort. It was doggone fun. The tab: $378 for two nights (off-season) at the La Quinta Resort & Club, and $82 for meals.
The bed
My dogs, Darby and Piper, couldn’t wait to bolt out of the car when they saw the grounds at La Quinta Resort & Club, with 45 lush acres of gardens, grass and landscaped walkways. “Yes,” I silently cheered, “there are even doggy-bag stations.” La Quinta, an iconic desert classic that opened in 1926, is about 20 miles east of downtown Palm Springs. It recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation and had on its prettiest face when we arrived in December. Bougainvillea, roses and citrus trees brightened the grounds, and the room was spacious and chicly decorated, with a large doggy bed and bowls awaiting. Big spenders can decamp with their families and friends to villas that include pools or spas. That wasn’t on our agenda, because my four-legged roomies wouldn’t agree to split the check (49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta; [760] 564-4111, www.laquintaresort.com. Doubles from $259 per night December to March; $119 April to August. Resort fee $27 a night; $100 nonrefundable pet fee).
The meal
A water bowl and dog treats appeared as soon as we sat down at Sherman’s Deli & Bakery (401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; [760] 325-1199, shermansdeli.com). The restaurant’s patio has been seating patrons and their dogs for decades. The hot pastrami sandwich ($12.95), cabbage soup ($7.95) and cream cheese and lox platter ($15.95) are longtime favorites.
The find
Moorten Botanical Garden (1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; [760] 327-6555, moortenbotanicalgarden.com) offers two-legged visitors an oasis of tranquillity and four-legged visitors an interesting place to sniff and prowl (on a leash, of course). This small, private arboretum opened in 1938 and features enormous cactuses that have had nearly 75 years to develop, plus birds, tortoises, desert relics and 3,000 varieties of plants. It’s a deal at $4 per person, $2 for ages 5 to 15.
Lesson learned
I had always wondered about the thousands of windmills I see when I drive through the pass on Interstate 10. I think they’re unsightly, but I was willing to be convinced that they had a purpose, so I contacted Palm Springs Windmill Tours to become educated (62950 20th Ave., Palm Springs; [800] 531-5834, windmilltours.com. $35 adults, $17.50 kids. Pets OK on some tours.). I learned there are about 2,100, according to company president and tour guide David Hixon, and they produce “enough energy to power a city the size of San Francisco,” he said. My dogs weren’t impressed, but I was. I’ll try to ignore them the next time I drive through.
MORE WEEKEND ESCAPES
Chips a must along Arizona’s Salsa Trail
A slice of hipsterdom, a scoop of cool in Goleta, Santa Barbara
A weekend’s taste of cruise life: Santa Barbara and Ensenada, Mexico
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
