Fun – Page 3 – Gallaudet Properties

August 11, 2014

And the Winner Is: The Palm Springs Film Festival

I’ve written about the historic connection between Hollywood and the Palm Spring-Coachella Valley area often here. Usually the topic centers around the celebrities who have homes here or who have been known to spend a lot of time relaxing in our area.

Palm Springs International Film Festival

However, there are two somewhat more direct connections between the movie industry and the desert: The Palm Springs International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Shortfest. The first is held in January and the festival of short films is held in June.

I’m not an expert on the subject, but I don’t know of any other area that has separate festivals celebrating feature length and short length films. It’s nice having two cinematic events to look forward to throughout the year. By the way, the International film festival will be in its 27th year next January and the Shortfest just notched its 20th year. Those are nice long runs for any film…festival.

Enjoy seldom-seen gems
One of the best things about the film festival is that it gives die-hard movie buffs a chance to see films that don’t typically come to the standard multiplex. For example, this year the Audience Award for best narrative feature went to “Lakshmi,” a story based on the harrowing and heroic true events in the life of Lakshmi, a 13-year-old girl in India.

However, all the big names and films that dominate the Oscars later in the year are represented as well. In 2014, “12 Years a Slave,” “American Hustle,” “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Gravity,” “Dallas Buyers Club” and other major productions won awards in Palm Springs.

Taking in an evening movie – any time throughout the year – is always a good way to relax after spending an active day in La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. Topping off the day in the sun with an evening movie, watching one of the many choices you can make at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, makes for a perfect balance, and better yet… a perfect day!

Relax after a day on the links
Of course, a challenging day on the golf course is always a great “first course” for a full day of activities here. And with the abundance of excellent La Quinta real estate, as well as property in Indian Wells, the location couldn’t get any better.

I invite you to use the search feature on our site to introduce yourself to the area. You can enter terms like: La Quinta Resort, Citrus Golf Course, Duna La Quinta, The Enclave, The Tradition, or other areas, golf courses and country clubs where you might want to locate.

Finally, to get a visual overview of the area, including all the golf courses and great restaurants, be sure to download a copy of our golf resource guide. With the resource guide and our convenient search feature, you can really begin to get your Coachella Valley bearings. Then the only thing left to do is give us a call so we can really focus in on properties that will ideally suit your lifestyle. We have information and insights that go beyond what even the most experienced Internet searcher can discover.

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August 7, 2014

Looking for a Great Golf Course? So Is the Humana Challenge.

“Like a kid in a candy store.”

In a way, that must be how the organizers of the Humana Challenge must be feeling right now. They are looking for two new courses for the tournament after 2015. Of course, changing venues involves a lot of work and officials tasked with the job have many details that must be taken care of. Yet with so many excellent contenders, I think one of the biggest challenges is narrowing down their options.

Bob Marra, CEO and tournament chairman for the Humana Challenge, seemed to echo that thought when he recently said, “As you know, if any area has options for a PGA Tour event, it’s the Coachella Valley.” Of course, all of those great golf course options also translate into a lot of great options for golf course real estate.

La Quinta CC
The tournament plays three courses each year and replacements for two of those need to be found for the 2016 event. The two PGA West courses that have been often used in recent years – the Jack Nicklaus Private Course and Arnold Palmer Private Course – won’t be available. La Quinta Country Club is still on the 2016 schedule.

The tournament has been associated with PGA West in La Quinta since 1988 and the Palmer Private Course has seen a lot of play over those ears. Golfers who are also fans of the sport’s heritage will remember David Duvall’s final-round 59 on that course back in 1999 that led him to victory.

The Jack Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West has also been the site of many Humana Challenge rounds over the years. The tournament used to be the Bob Hope Classic and today it works with the Clinton Foundation. Continuing an important legacy of the Bob Hope Classic, the Humana Challenge offers unique Pro-Am playing opportunities.

Environmental friendly
As we get ready to say “goodbye” to the PGA West Palmer and Nicklaus courses after the 2015 event, I want to mention one more thing about them. Both of these courses are certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuaries. That program is designed to greatly help the environment by protecting natural areas and wildlife habitat. Environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, water conservation and quality management, along with education and outreach are major parts of the certification.

It’s a great program.

Here’s an idea for your next visit to our area: Think of yourself as having been tasked with finding two courses for the Humana Challenge in 2016 and make your own personal rating as you enjoy a few rounds of golf in the La Quinta area.

Get a TPC tee time
SilverRock is one course that locals have said may be in the running. And while PGA West has taken its private courses off the board for the Humana Challenge, some are speculating that the TPC Stadium Course will be called into action. That course will test your skill when you take an afternoon off from scouting real estate.

Finally, while there are a lot of details still to be set for the 2016 event, in La Quinta one fact remains certain: We’re still looking forward to a great tournament in our backyard. And if you want an “up close and personal” look at the courses and real estate that make up our “backyard,” download our golf resource guide and give us a call. We can introduce you to all the best places to live in La Quinta and Indian Wells as well as show you all the finest Palm Springs area real estate.

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August 1, 2014

The Night Life Tradition Continues

When you live in a place that has been the semi-official hideaway for the biggest names in entertainment and politics, you hear a lot of stories about “back then” and collect a lot of local lore.

The Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area is that kind of place and a good part of the lore that you pick up here centers around the night life. From the 1940s through 1965, one of the hottest spots was a nightclub/supper club called the Chi Chi in Palm Springs. World class entertainers such as Jerry Lewis, Sophie Tucker, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Edgar Bergen, Nat King Cole and Dorothy Dandridge graced the club’s circular stage.

All the big movie stars enjoyed evenings at the Chi Chi as well as the studio heads, like Jack Warner and Cecil B. DeMille. “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup…”

Relax after a round of golf
I imagine a lot of the guests who hit the Chi Chi for dinner and an evening of entertainment, needed a little relaxation after a day on the links. By the way, while the Chi Chi is gone, you can get a great feel for that era at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs. It was built by the Irwin brothers – who founded the Chi Chi – and Mark Shuman in 1952 and has undergone some recent renovations that bring back its original splendor and glamour.

I also want to quickly mention The Purple Room Supper Club at the Club Trinidad Resort in Palm Springs, because it has a heritage that extends to the days of the Chi Chi. The Purple Room got its start in the 1960s – when you could find Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack there – but changed through the years. Fortunately, it’s been revived and today hosts some great entertainment and dining six nights a week.

Acts change every night so you can enjoy all styles of music, hilarious celebrity impersonators, comedy and more. Its restaurant, Trio, offers an extensive menu. You’ll find that Trio supports local, organic and sustainable agriculture; you’ll be impressed by the quality.

Daytime and nighttime activities
Clubs like The Purple Room really create a balanced lifestyle in this area. There are activities that get you outside during the daytime and then entertainment to keep you, well, entertained at night. Of course, an evening at a top quality restaurant with family and friends is always a wonderful way to spend some time as the sun sets.

By the way, not only does our free Golf Course Resource Guide give you all the important details on courses in the La Quinta, Indio, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage area, you’ll find an extensive listing of restaurants. Download it today and look it over.

As you scan the map in the guide, you’ll be able to quickly visualize how convenient developments such as the La Quinta Resort are to everywhere you’ll want to go, whether it’s a great restaurant, the shops in Old Town La Quinta or one of the neighboring courses, such as the PGA West in La Quinta, The Hideaway Country Club, Indian Ridge Country Club, and many more.

This is one of the greatest single assets regarding La Quinta real estate, Indian Wells real estate and property throughout the Palm Springs area: everything is convenient. When you want to be doing things and not just spending time behind the wheel of your car, this is the place to be – just like it was for the Rat Pack.

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July 11, 2014

What’s in a Rock? A lot of History!

Driving through the Coachella Valley and the desert in general—if you’re paying attention and not too distracted by whatever you’re listening to—can be like driving through history.

People have been living here for thousands of years and they all have left their distinctive marks on the landscape. To really take a hike back in time, explore the Corn Springs Petroglyph Site sometime when you’re in La Quinta. It’s just a bit further down I-10 and on BLM land.

However, here I wanted to open your eyes to an interesting feature you might not give a second look while you’re driving through La Quinta and Indio. It’s called Point Happy Rock. Highway 111 cuts right through it and it’s where the popular Cliffhouse Restaurant is located.

A route that really rocks!
Today, road engineers tend to plot the course of new highways around rock outcroppings like this. But in the 1930s, when this right of way was originally carved—or blasted—out, the engineers apparently had other priorities.

Often when we drive “through”Point Happy Rock, we think about all the people over the years who have traveled this route. When a road funnels through a narrow slit carved through a massive piece of rock, you know that that specific patch of ground will always be a route for commerce.

Back in the days of the Dust Bowl, some travelers from the Midwest must have rolled through there. Today, visitors and residents of La Quinta and other communities in the Palm Springs area pass through Point Happy Rock on their way to golf courses such as La Quinta Country Club, Rancho La Quinta, Indian Wells Golf Resort, El Dorado Country Club, The Vintage, The Reserve, and many others.

Homes with views
Of course, golfer-homeowners in locations like Rancho La Quinta seldom have to hop in their vehicles and head out onto Highway 111 to pursue their favorite sport. Rancho La Quinta offers 36 holes of golf. Another special treat here is its elevated lots that deliver stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

And if there are non-golfers in your family, the tennis courts, pool and fitness center are great ways to stay fit. I said pool, but I should have said “pools.” However, the main pool at the Racquet Club is the perfect size to put in some laps.

When you drop in to get more details on some of these properties and the various golf options you have, be sure you have our free golf resource guide with you. It gives a great “birds-eye view” of the area. Combine that with one of the local books that talk about desert history, and you’ll really be able to maximize your understanding of this special area.

We hope to see you soon!

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June 13, 2014

More than Hawks Soar the Desert Sky

Compared to most regions of Southern California, the Palm Springs area, Coachella Valley—including communities such as La Quinta, Indio and Palm Desert—doesn’t have a very large population.

However, it’s not the quantity of people that make a place to live special, it’s the diversity of the people, and that’s something that makes this place unique. We have world-class events here unlike any other place on earth this size.

Sometimes we have events that no other place on the planet has, period. And I just read about one I’m looking forward to in the fall: the Parade of Planes.

Each year there’s an aviation summit in Palm Springs and as part of the festivities, private pilots fly into the airport there and then parade down East Alejo Road and North Avenida Caballeros to the convention center.

Please drop us a note or make a comment below if you know about any other annual parade where aircraft are the “floats.”

An aviation legacy
The California desert has long been a favorite place for aviators and as well as the international airport in Palm Springs, our area also boasts the Bermuda Dunes Airport, which is very near La Quinta, Indio and Palm Desert, and the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, located just down the highway in Thermal.

For private aviation buffs, real estate in La Quinta and the neighboring communities can be the ideal location. We haven’t mentioned Indian Wells real estate recently on these pages, but its proximity to the Bermuda Dunes Airport makes it an excellent choice for pilots who also have a penchant for a good round of golf.

The Cove Course at the Indian Wells Country Club was home to the Bob Hope Desert Classic for more than 40 years. A lot of great moments in the game happened on that course. The homes there are just as notable and definitely worth touring when you come to our area.

A Weiskopf course
Also nearby is The Reserve Country Club. The Reserve Country Club course is designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish. Weiskopf, with 16 PGA tour wins to his credit, including the 1973 US Open, brings some real cachet to The Reserve.

Of course, even if you don’t fly a plane or swing a golf club, there’s still a lot to do when you live in a place like the Indian Wells Country Club or the Reserve Country Club. Pools, spas and fitness gyms are in the mix. And if you visit the Reserve, you’ll see that it backs right up to the Santa Rosa-San Jacinto Mountains. A quick drive up the road will take you to the Randall Henderson Trail if you want to stretch your legs and look for some desert wildlife in its natural habitat.

Okay, have I taken this far enough? I started out talking about an airplane parade and managed to bring it around to trail hiking in the mountains. What more can I include? Oh yeah, I haven’t mentioned our free golf resource guide. Hit that big button and download a copy for yourself.

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May 2, 2014

A Mixed-Use Development for La Quinta?

Desert living, and the communities here, have always been a fascinating microcosm of the United States. Over the years, people have come here from everywhere—from as close by as the glitzy Hollywood hills to as far away as the snowy Northeast and beyond.

A development recently proposed for Old Town La Quinta might bring another dimension to life in this area—a mixed-use “live and work” project (click here for more information).

Many US urban centers have been revitalized in recent years by an influx of affluent home buyers who want to live in the city core for the sake of convenience and being “close to the action.” This has led to developments with retail on the ground floor and condos up above. It has been successful in a number of cities.

Bringing new retail
It will be interesting to see how this project proceeds. It would certainly be a good addition to all the other great options home buyers have in La Quinta and the surrounding communities. Further, we think everyone would enjoy the kind of retail stores and restaurants that typically come with these kinds of projects.

People have been doing interesting projects in our area for generations and one name that has been prominent is Indian Wells. The Indian Wells Country Club has been host to avid golfers since 1956. Everyone from retirees working to lower their handicaps, to celebrities, to the world’s greatest professionals have played the club’s two courses.

Homebuyers who want to locate near these renowned 36 holes have a lot of options today. And if tennis is your game, you probably recognize Indian Wells as the home of the BNP Paribas Open, often called the “Grand Slam of the West.”

Golf courses in Indian Wells
If you take a look at our free Palm Springs area Golf Resource Guide, you’ll find Indian Wells Country Club just a short distance from the La Quinta Resort. You’ll see that the area is very well situated for shopping and restaurants as well. You’ll also notice that the number of courses in this corner of the desert is truly impressive. Avid golfers don’t need to drive far when they want to test their skills away from their “home course.”

Folks looking for property in the area will discover a wide range of homes in communities such as The Reserve, Toscana Country Club, El Dorado Country Club, Vintage Country Club, Monte Sereno Estates and the Indian Wells Country Club itself, among others. With everything from condos to 8,000-plus square foot homes available, there is really something for everyone in and around Indian Wells.

A great place to start your adventure is with the search feature on our website and be sure to have our Golf Resource Guide handy as well so you can get an overview as you explore properties and communities.

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April 18, 2014

Music, Art and Golf, Oh My!

There’s no doubt that La Quinta and the surrounding desert communities are a paradise for people who enjoy sunshine, the outdoors and golf.

PGA West Stadium Course — Hole #17 @ PGA West – Stadium Course

It’s also paradise for folks who like to do a little people watching. If you’re at all familiar with the area, you know that it’s been a hangout for celebrities for generations. The show business glitterati still visit, but today we get a much more diverse group of global celebs.

Athletes, music and more
World class athletes make the pilgrimage here, especially golfers and tennis pros and now with the annual music and arts festival in Coachella, a wide range of top recording artists make the scene. The concert series which wraps up with “Stagecoach” April 27 makes for several great days of people watching. And if one of your favorite recording artists happened to be on the bill, you would have had the time of your life.

Of course, that’s only a couple of weekends a year and while the festival may come and go quickly, the golf and other attractions here are pretty much available 365 days a year. Further, real estate shoppers have a huge range of options.

It certainly ‘ain’t no hound dog’
By the way, Elvis’s Palm Spring “honeymoon house” is on the market. So if you have an extra $10 million dollars and want to buy a great property and piece of pop icon history at the same time, we’ll get the papers going for you.

However, for most of the home shoppers we work with, a great home either on or near one of our beautiful golf courses in La Quinta fits the bill perfectly. And just like concert goers had their choice of artists to see at the recent music festival, golfers here have just about as many choices when they head out to play a round.

The La Quinta Resort has three courses itself. PGA WEST has six courses and many more residential golf communities are just minutes away, including The Hideaway, Rancho La Quinta and Mountain View just to name a few.

There are great courses throughout the valley, as you’ll see when you drive through Palm Springs and over to La Quinta. And to make sorting them out a little easier, we’ve pulled together a very handy Golf Resource Guide. If you want the big picture—as well as a lot of specific details—about Palm Springs area golf clubs, don’t miss this free download.

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April 14, 2014

Desert and Home Sales Blooming!

Some newcomers to desert living are surprised by the varied pleasures each season brings with it. Over the last several weeks many of our neighbors have been keeping an eye out for the spring desert bloom.

A wide range of desert wildflowers, cacti, trees and shrubs burst into blossom each year and for the observant desert dweller, it provides a lot of beauty and adventure. The time to start looking is generally in March and the show can run through much of April. There are several websites that keep people posted on what’s blooming where.

Visit a local garden
Another way to learn about the plants you see as you cruise around the area, is to visit the gardens at The Living Desert. In one place you’ll discover the diversity of the native plants. Give them a call to see what’s blooming so you can time your trip to maximize the colorful show.

Of course, the weather that prompts our seasonal bloom encourages other activities in La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and the greater Palm Springs area. To say that it’s perfect golfing weather would be something of an understatement. Further, the weather that makes it ideal for hitting the links also amps up the interest in owning property on or near one of the renowned courses that we have in our area.

Take a home tour
While the real estate professionals at Gallaudet Properties enjoy an occasional hike to explore the local wildflowers, more often you’ll find us exploring new home listings with our clients, trying to find the perfect property. At this time of year, the desert blossoms with both buyers and sellers, if you’ll excuse a fairly bad play on words. Also, unlike the wildflower display, the golf courses are here for us to enjoy virtually every day, all year long.

The La Quinta Resort membership, which includes the private Citrus Club, alone has 3 golf courses – 1 private and 2 semi-public. Along with that there are tennis courts and a spa for members and/or resort guests to enjoy. And for the home buyer, there are 10 gated communities in the area nestled around those golf courses. That provides a lot of selection. Buyers can always find exactly the kind of property they are looking for and be on or near their favorite courses.

Get the latest info
Above I mentioned that you can have the latest news regarding the spring wildflower bloom sent straight to your email. If you’re a big fan of flowers and gardening, that’s a resource you’ll want to use. Google: Coachella Valley Desert Plants.

In much the same way, Gallaudet Properties has pulled together a golf resource guide. It’s free and will get you up-to-date on all the local courses and golf communities. You can get an overview where they are all located as well as information on private course membership fees and monthly dues.

It’s must-have information for anyone considering a move to the La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Indio area. Download it today.

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March 14, 2014

Five Must-Visit Restaurants in South La Quinta

After a great round of golf in La Quinta, you can relax and enjoy cocktails or fine dining at one of many establishments in the beautiful desert area. While you’re here, you should take advantage of being able to eat at one of these five must-visit restaurants in South La Quinta. Each one offers you a unique experience, excellent cuisine, and relaxation.

Lavender Bistro La Quinta — Lavender Bistro

1. Lavender Bistro

You can enjoy cocktails and a light meal or an elegant, romantic dinner at the Lavender Bistro. The outdoor patio is surrounded by trees and beautiful desert flowers for the ultimate in relaxing dining. The Lavender Bistro is located at 78-073 Calle Barcelona, and conveniently close to shopping and all the activities of Old Town La Quinta.

2. Solano’s Bistro

Solano’s Bistro is right in Old Town La Quinta, located at 78075 Main Street. The Bistro is owned and operated by Executive Chef Francisco Solano. You can enjoy superior Contemporary American cuisine inside or on the outdoor patio.

Arnold Palmer's Restaurant La Quinta — Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

3. Morgan’s

Morgan’s is located at the La Quinta Resort, and Chef Jimmy Schmidt will ensure you are treated to the finest in traditional cooking. A specialty of Morgan’s is his use of locally grown ingredients. And Wednesday through Sunday evenings, you can enjoy live piano music with your meal. The La Quinta Resort is located at 49-299 Eisenhower Drive.

4. Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant offers country club style fine dining. Three menus are available, so you can select from appetizers menu, the full dinner menu, or pub menus. If you did not get enough golf in for the day, you can take advantage of the outdoor putting green, too. Count on being treated like a king at 78164 Avenue 52 in La Quinta.

Stuft Pizza La Quinta — Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill

5. Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill

While the Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill does offer some of the valley’s finest pizza baked in the best rated ovens, you can also savor their pasta entrees, burgers, and more. Appetizers, soups, and salads also make excellent choices. Dining is available indoors or on the shaded outdoor patio. Check out Stuft Pizza at 78015 Main Street.

If you are looking for property in the La Quinta area, we have you covered. Contact us for more information about the many home and condominium choices that are available. We also offer a downloadable Golf Resource Guide to help you find the best golfing opportunities in the greater Palm Springs area.

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March 6, 2014

While at the BNP Parabas Open Tennis Tournament, Visit Indian Wells Real Estate

The BNP Parabas Open Tennis Tournament is happening now through March 16! Are you coming? If yes, we hope you enjoy everything that Indian Wells has to offer. We hope, too, that you fall in love with the great city and surrounding area so much that you decide to move here and be part of our great community.

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has just completed an ambitious site expansion with the addition of “Stadium 2” which seats an additional 8,000 fans. This brings the Garden’s total seating capacity to 41,485, a 17% increase. Tournament officials expect over 400,000 fans to enter through the gates this year! Aside from the addition to Stadium 2, the grounds have been expanded and upgraded as well with the addition of over 400 palm trees and 16 acres of new grounds to hold the 17,905 new shrubs and plants! It was already a world-class experience and now it’s a bucket list experience!

Aside from the aesthetic upgrades, there have also been three high caliber “pop-up” restaurants added for the tournament fortnight: Nobu, The Chop House and Piero PizzaVino. Anybody visiting the gardens this week will enjoy an an amazing experience.

The perks for Indian Wells don’t stop at the Tennis Garden either. Purchasing Indian Wells Real Estate also gives residents substantial discounts and access to hotel pools at all four hotel properties, world famous spas, fantastic restaurants like the The Vue Bar and Grill, and deep discounts to the highly acclaimed courses at the Indian Wells Golf Resort ($35 per round for the winter season!). Other local restaurants include Don Diego’s and Vicky’s of Santa Fe.

So whether you’ve come here to play, or to watch the BNP Parabas Tennis Tournament, contact us, and let us help you learn more about the communities and properties available in Indian Wells, like:

Toscana, located in the heart of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Area.
Eldorado, a picturesque cove at the base of the Santa Rosa mountains.
The Vintage, inside a cove at the base of the Eisenhower Mountain.
The Reserve, with bungalows, casitas, villas, and Sea Pines real estate homes.

And, exploring the iconic Indian Wells Country Club is like taking a walk through history, where some of our greatest presidents played golf. If you have questions about how we buy houses Indianapolis and are curious to learn more about the real estate opportunities here in Indian Wells, or ready to see some property here, please click below and get in touch with us. We look forward to hearing from you!