La Quinta Museum
La Quinta is called “the gem of the desert” for many reasons, some of the most obvious being the spectacular golfing and outdoor activities, as well as the town’s picturesque beauty. Those reasons alone motivate many individuals and families to seek homes for sale in La Quinta. However, there are some additional reasons that are not so obvious to those who are new to Coachella Valley—one of them is La Quinta’s vibrant and unique culture.
A great example of what the desert communities have to offer in terms of culture is the La Quinta Museum. Residents and owners of homes in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and everywhere else in Coachella Valley visit this popular attraction as much as tourists do. Featuring traveling exhibits and historical artifacts, this gem of a museum also hosts many special events.
The rich history that this museum holds include a replica of a Cahuilla Indian Village, an original poster of It’s A Wonderful Life, which was written by Frank Capra while he stayed at the La Quinta Hotel, and Dorothea Lang’s Depression era photos, among other incredible art pieces. You can also learn about early life in the desert with more artifacts and dioramas available through the California Pioneers exhibit. This particular exhibit is a favorite of locals and owners of homes in Rancho Mirage and throughout the rest of Palm Springs, as it includes hands-on activities such as sending telegraphs using Morse code in a mock telegraph and railroad office. The exhibit also features Civil War artifacts including a sword and musket from the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.
Admission to the amazing La Quinta Museum is free to all, whether you’re a visitor or owner of La Quinta real estate. Located at 77-885 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta, CA 92253, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Call 760.777.7170 for more information.
Click here to view La Quinta real estate. image: laquintahistorical.com
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If you’re in the market for Rancho Mirage real estate, you’ll definitely want to check out properties at the renowned Tamarisk Country Club. This close-knit community consists of members from all over the country, Canada and Europe who come to enjoy the exquisite golf course and world-class amenities that this beautiful country club has to offer.
The spectacular golf course at the Tamarisk Country Club is enough to make golf lovers seek Rancho Mirage real estate. The impeccably maintained 18-hole course is considered one of the finest in the Palm Springs Valley, with stunning vistas from every hole and challenges for all levels of golfers, from the average player to the consummate professional. Professional players flock to this course, which for many years was home to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic tournament. Created by famed architect William Bell, the course was designed to complement the unique desert environment and prestigious Palm Springs lifestyle. There is a head pro and two assistant professionals available on site to provide lessons to members and their guests, from the fundamentals for beginners to fine-tuning for more advanced players.
In addition to the extraordinary golf course, the Tamarisk Country Club boasts a beautiful tennis center with two hard surface and four clay tennis courts, as well as a tennis pro to help hone players’ skills, as well as arrange matches and tournaments.
The Club also features a picturesque dining terrace overlooking the 18th green with a lake, water features and the magnificent southern mountains vista, as well as an elegant and well-appointed lobby, dining room, outdoor library, men’s barbershop, a fully stocked pro shop, men’s locker room with TV lounge, women’s locker room, a men’s card room and a women’s card/game room.
As you can imagine, living at the Tamarisk Country Club is a dream come true for those seeking the ultra-desirable Palm Springs lifestyle.
image: tamariskcountryclub.com
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Whether you’re trying to sell a home or are in the market for Rancho Mirage real estate, you probably may be thinking about some remodeling costs—changing things in a new home or upgrading some items in your current home to boost its appeal to prospective buyers. Instead of committing to expensive remodeling costs, if you are willing to think creatively and do a little of the ground work yourself, there are a few things you can upgrade inexpensively that will make a huge difference in the home.
1. Upgrade the appliances at a discount. We all love the looks of high-end appliances such as Viking ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators. Instead of buying those pricey brands new, consider looking for them at house-parts recycling centers in ritzy zip codes. You can find professional style appliances at deep discounts that will give a serious upgrade to those Indio homes for sale that you’ve been looking at.
2. Boost privacy with plants. Instead of spending money on trees and shrubbery to increase the privacy factor on the Rancho Mirage real estate you’re trying to sell, consider purchasing containerized planters to shield the property from the outside world. You can also place them strategically to cover up and equipment on the property that gives you eyesores.
3. Stone countertops. Instead of opting for an expensive granite countertop with a bullnose or some other type of curved detail, choose a square edge—this will save you anywhere from 20 to 50 percent. The less complex the profile is, the less grinding and polishing the installers will have to do. Also, keep in mind that the rarer the color, the more it will cost. So avoid blues, which can cost triple the amount than more common colors, such as black, white, gray and earth tones. Click here if you are interested in looking at Indio homes for sale. image: admiralsbank.com
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If you are looking at Rancho Mirage homes for sale, there are many reasons to take the plunge. This beautiful resort city in the heart of Palm Springs has much to offer and little, if anything, to complain about. There are many reasons to buy a home in any of the desert communities—owners of real estate in Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta and Palm Desert all rave about their individual cities and the Palm Springs Valley as a whole. But here are just a few reasons why you may want to make your home in Rancho Mirage.
1. Golf. While there are myriad golf courses for owners of Palm Springs and La Quinta real estate to enjoy, Rancho Mirage has 12 stellar golf courses, including the Thunderbird Guest Ranch, the Tamarisk, Sunrise, Rancho Mirage, Mission Hills, Morningside, the Springs, KSL Resorts’ Rancho Las Palmas hotel, Tuscania by Sunrise Company, the Mission Hills North Course, and the Westin Hotels’ Mission Hills resort.
2. Gorgeous mountain views. The Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, Santa Rosa, Little San Bernardino each yield stunning views, as well as some awesome hiking trails, that can be enjoyed all year long.
3. History. Rancho Mirage rose to fame after World War II when The Annenberg Estate, owned by philanthropists Walter and Leonore Annenberg, was in its heyday. Many celebrities and political figures, including Bob Hope, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and Queen Elizabeth II were regular visitors at this estate. Among other high-profile figures, former President Ford bought a house in Rancho Mirage.
4. Traffic. As in-no traffic. Those who are used to the horrific traffic that plagues many cities in California are astounded by the lack thereof when they become owners of Rancho Mirage real estate. Traffic is always very minimal, even during the busiest times of year.
5. Culture. Situated in the heart of Palm Springs, many seek Rancho Mirage homes for sale because of the city’s ideal location—all of Coachella Valley is an easily accessed desert playground. There are unrivalled music festivals such as Coachella, Stagecoach and the Jazz Festivals, and many outstanding local concerts from some of the more than 60 Hall of Fame Musicians that live in the area. There’s the Indio Tamale Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, the National Date Festival, many Arts and Wine Festivals and Palm Springs Modernism Week. Residents throughout Palm Springs, including owners of Indio, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta real estate, get to enjoy this same proximity that makes desert living so alluring. image: latimes.com
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The Legendary Beach Boys
If you’re currently seeking homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, Indio or another part of Palm Springs, this weekend is an excellent one to come visit. You can get do your house hunting and choose from a diverse slate of entertainment options that will satisfy both your inner art critic and music groupie.
QuiltFest Oasis Palm Springs will run from Thursday, October 2 through 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Produced by Mancuso Show Management, this fun-filled quilt expo is yet another stop on the company’s successful nationwide quilt festivals.
On Thursday night from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, the Palm Desert Civic Center Park will host Concerts in the Park: The Secret Jazz Band. Sponsored by the City of Palm Desert, these free concerts under the stars are a local favorite and a must-do for those considering homes for sale in Rancho Mirage, Indio or another part of Palm Springs. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic for a night to remember. There will also be raffles, games and children’s activities before the performance, provided by the Family YMCA of the Desert.
On Friday, October 3 the iconic Beach Boys will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. This legendary performance takes place from 9 to 11 pm.
On Saturday, October 4 from 9 am to 10 am, there will be a Free Guided Public Art Tour of selected art in the El Paseo Invitational Exhibition. Meet your trained docent at the northeast corner of El Paseo and Highway 74 for this compelling tour.
On Sunday, October 5 from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Arthur Newman Theatre will host Jan Abrams in: “I’ll Be Seeing You.” The production features popular music that played a profound role in keeping spirits up among our troops during World War II.
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Buyers who seek luxury and exclusivity often search for real estate in Rancho Mirage because of all the beautiful town has to offer. The upscale gated community of St. Augustine is an excellent option, as it embodies all that makes Rancho Mirage such a desirable place to live.
This premier development consists of 184 beautifully appointed single family homes, many of which are situated on a seven and a half acre greenway that includes water fountains and broad walkways that instill a lush, park-like setting. Boasting gorgeous architectural detail, the single family homes in St. Augustine were built by Ashbrook Communities from 1997 to 2004. They are located on nice sized lots that range from 9000 square feet to more than 15,500 square feet. Home sizes range from 2525 square feet to 3650 square feet and feature three and four bedroom floor plans, some of which include a casita as one of the bedrooms. Many of the homes boasts unrivalled mountain views.
Located off of Dean Martin Drive, St. Augustine is in close proximity to superb championship golf courses, remarkable fine dining options, and the chic boutiques of the El Paseo Shopping District. For golfers, the option are unrivalled—the renowned Mission Hills Country Club is literally across the street, making it easy to challenge yourself on the incredible, championship 6,454-yard Par 70 layout designed by Keith Foster. Residents of St. Augustine can take advantage of discounted memberships to this spectacular golf and country club, which is reason alone to own real estate in Rancho Mirage.
Also in close proximity is the Rancho Mirage Country Club, The Springs Country Club and the Desert Island Golf & Country Club. Rancho Mirage borders bucolic La Quinta, which is home to the renowned La Quinta Resort & Club and SilverRock Resort, as well as a bevy of remarkable shopping options, including the famed Old Town La Quinta.
St. Augustine also features two tennis courts, a playground and beautiful trails that wind through the lush landscapes and offer enchanting views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.
image: xstreampooldesign.com
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We’re heading into Autumn, which means the recreational season will get even more action-packed as the weeks go on—and this week is a perfect example. Whether you own real estate in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta or are looking for a vacation home in one of the desert cities, you will enjoy the eclectic array of entertainment options you have to choose from this weekend.
On Friday, September 12 from 9 to 11 pm, Janelle Monae will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. Ms. Monae is a unique and popular soul and R&B singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer, with six Grammy nominations and a song that reached number one on the Billboard Charts.
On Saturday, September 13 from 7 to 9 pm, the Indio Performing Arts Center will feature Foolin’ Around with Patsy Cline. Featuring popular New York entertainer, Meg McLynn, this awesome tribute to the Queen of Country Music will be a memorable event for country music lovers and fans of the legendary icon.
On Saturday, September 13 from 8 to 10 pm, the Fantasy Springs Casino will feature a performance of Beauty and The Beast, featuring Kim Wan Sun and Park Wan Gyu. Also on Saturday from 8 to 10 pm, Ramon Ayala will perform his Spanish language concert at the Spotlight 29 Casino.
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino will host a performance by Mariachis Los Comperos de Nati Cano on Saturday from 8 to 10 pm. Located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, The Show at Agua Caliente Casino is a favorite of those who own real estate in Rancho Mirage and other desert city locals.
On Sunday, September 14 from 2 to 4 pm, the Arthur Newman Theatre will feature Meg McLynn in “Foolin’ Around: The Patsy Cline Songbook” with Seattle Music Director David Duvall and The Purple Phoenix Trio.
image: festival.si.edu
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If you’re interested in Rancho Mirage real estate, then you’ll definitely want to check out the charming community of Magnesia Falls Cove. This bucolic, non-gated neighborhood is in a prime location that offers luxury, exclusivity and privacy, as well as access to some of the best parts of the Palm Springs Valley.
This idyllic neighborhood is nestled in a gorgeous cove that is surrounded by breathtaking, picturesque mountain vistas to create a serene, relaxing atmosphere. Just south of Highway III and east of Bob Hope Drive, Magnesia Falls Drive is in close proximity to the shopping, dining and entertainment options of The River Shopping Center and Rancho Las Palmas, as well as the chic boutiques of El Paseo Boulevard, the McCallum Theatre and “Old Town” Palm Springs.
In addition, the Palm Springs International Airport is only a short drive away from Magnesia Falls Cove and the I-10 freeway is less than a 20 minute trip. Also nearby is the Porcupine Ranch, billionaire Larry Ellison’s private, 240-acre estate with its own 18-hole golf course. Popular hiking trails surround this coveted community, making it easy to access and enjoy the outdoors and gorgeous Palm Springs weather that draws so many to look at Palm Desert homes for sale. In addition to its location, the Rancho Mirage real estate in the coveted neighborhood features and array of spectacular mid-century homes built during the 1950s through to the1970s, as well as some equally stunning residences built in the late 1990’s. There are also some beautiful homes designed in Adobe, Contemporary Mission and Mediterranean and other styles that were built in recent years. Every home is charming and many have been upgraded since they were originally constructed.
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As we’ve mentioned many times in our blog, when you’re trying to sell a house, whether it’s property in Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells real estate, a beach cottage or one of the highly desirable equestrian homes in Southern California, curb appeal is key to attracting potential buyers and getting them to get out of their cars to take good long look.
Great landscaping can seriously enhance the style of your home and boost curb appeal tenfold. “Great” doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive either. As long as it’s well-planned, intriguing and cohesive with the exterior of your home, you’ll be in great shape.
Pick a theme. Whatever you do, don’t try to combine more than one theme. Pick one and stick with it. If you’re working with Indian Wells real estate or property in Rancho Mirage, you may want to go with a desert or southwestern theme—just don’t try to mesh tropical with desert or a surf theme with Japanese garden.
Refresh planters. Get rid of weeds, prune everything so it looks neat, and plant seasonal flowers. You should also refresh mulch to replenish the color that is faded by sunlight. If you have a flower bed that has borders, make sure to clean the borders and replace anything that is damaged.
Install window boxes. Window boxes are an excellent way to add some charm to the exterior of your house. Plant flowers and plants that mesh well with your overall color scheme.
Add some artwork. Incorporate some pieces that are immune to the elements—in other words, items that don’t require a green touch. Wind chimes, fountains, birdbaths and sculptures are all good examples of pieces that you can use to complement your color scheme and exterior design. If you choose to have a fountain, which can add a very calming element to your garden or lawn, make sure to place them on ground level where they can be seen and heard, and avoid having them close to a tree, so that leaves aren’t dropping into it.
Click here to browse listings of equestrian homes, property in Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells real estate.
image: luckyardfarm.com
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Buying equestrian homes can be a daunting project for many, especially the first time around. There are myriad maintenance issues to consider, even when it comes to the best designed ranches and properties. Normal maintenance will definitely be a chore, and especially when the property has unique and different characteristics.
If you already own horses, you know that it is a substantial financial commitment and one that requires a great deal of time. The same goes for owning equestrian homes, whether you’ve found the perfect piece of real estate in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, or a property in Santa Barbara.
Every task performed at a stable will be required of those owning a property where horses are kept. Horses require exercise on a daily basis, and even more so for those confined in paddocks and stables the majority of the time. In addition to exercising horses, the paddocks should always be free of trash and debris, especially broken glass. Fences always need to be in a perfect state to prevent horses from getting injured, and stable bedding must be changed daily. Unfortunately, droppings must always be removed to prevent flies and worm infestation. Tack should be properly cleaned and horses should be groomed after each ride. In addition, it’s typically normal for a horse owner to check the paddock twice a day to make sure horses have clean water and adequate feed, and that they are safely in the stable.
When you are planning your visits to check out real estate in Rancho Mirage or another prime area for equestrian properties, make sure to consider all the maintenance aspects. Think about equipment storage, irrigation, manure disposal, and obviously the amount of space when you visit a potential property or are already in the planning stages.
image: sarasotafarms.org
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