Old Town La Quinta: Restaurants, Boutiques & the Valley's Prettiest Courtyard
The walkable village at the foot of the Santa Rosas, plus the Cove's hiking next door
Palm Springs Spots Editors · Published Sep 5, 2026 · Updated Sep 5, 2026
Old Town La Quinta is a whitewashed, bougainvillea-draped village of about 30 restaurants, cafes, and boutiques built around courtyards at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains — the most pleasant walk in the east valley, and the reason many visitors skip Palm Springs entirely.
Old Town La Quinta is not historic — it was built in the early 2000s in a Spanish Colonial Revival style — but it is genuinely charming: white stucco, tile fountains, string lights, and mountain views at the end of every courtyard.
What is actually there
Roughly thirty businesses on and around Main Street: a strong restaurant row, wine bars, coffee, boutiques, a gelato shop, and a couple of galleries. Standouts include long-running local restaurants with mountain-view patios, a craft cocktail bar, and Stuft Pizza, the local institution for a casual night. [Full restaurant list](/best-restaurants-la-quinta).
The Sunday farmers market
In season (roughly October through May), a certified farmers market takes over Main Street on Sunday mornings — produce, dates, flowers, and prepared food. It is smaller and calmer than the Palm Springs Saturday market and easy to combine with breakfast on a patio.
Pair it with the Cove
Five minutes east, the La Quinta Cove neighborhood sits against the mountains with trailheads for the Cove-to-Lake trail and the Bear Creek Nature Trail — easy-to-moderate morning hikes with the best payoff-to-effort ratio in the east valley. Hike first, brunch in Old Town after. [Hiking guide](/palm-springs-hiking-guide).
Seasonal notes
Old Town hosts a summer concert series, holiday events, and an art fair circuit in season. Restaurants fill for dinner on winter weekends — make reservations Friday and Saturday. Summer is quiet: some shops keep shorter hours and a few restaurants close one weekday, but everything essential stays open.
Where to stay nearby
La Quinta's hotel scene is resort-scale: the famous La Quinta Resort & Club (whose guests often walk over to Old Town for dinner) plus budget-friendly options along Highway 111. [Best hotels in La Quinta](/best-hotels-la-quinta).
FAQ
- What is Old Town La Quinta?
- A walkable Spanish-style village of about 30 restaurants, cafes, and boutiques on Main Street in La Quinta, built around courtyards at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
- Is parking free in Old Town La Quinta?
- Yes — street and lot parking around Main Street is free, and it is rarely difficult outside of special events.
- When is the Old Town La Quinta farmers market?
- Sunday mornings in season, roughly October through May, on Main Street.
- How far is Old Town La Quinta from Palm Springs?
- About 35 to 40 minutes southeast via Highway 111 or Washington Street.
- What is there to do near Old Town La Quinta?
- Hike the La Quinta Cove and Bear Creek trails five minutes away, walk the grounds of La Quinta Resort & Club, or play golf at one of the dozen courses within ten minutes.
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