California's Tennis Mecca: La Quinta Resort & Club

If you love tennis like I do, but the idea of playing a couple sets then eating strawberries and cream sounds a lot more appealing in the warm, sunny confines of the So-Cal desert than in the damp, hazy climes of South London, then La Quinta Resort & Club calls your name. 

A tennis lover’s oasis, La Quinta (pronounced la-KEEN-ta), which is consistently rated among the "Top 10" tennis facilities in the nation by Tennis Magazine, has been holding court as the premiere public tennis club in the Coachella Valley (La Quinta, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, etc.) for decades.

The spectacularly landscaped grounds at La Quinta, which feature tens of thousands of flowers and trees, are not quite as hallowed as Wimbledon. But the weather’s better. And so’s the view. 

Nestled majestically against the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta is a feast for tennis gourmets, who enjoy the fully stocked pro shop, the awesome sunken center court, and the Olympic-sized pool and spa (just recently upgraded), all of which surround the historic Clubhouse, which was once a private estate. 

While the tennis facility offers immaculately maintained hard courts, you can also head over to the clay courts and do your best impression of Rafael Nadal dominating the French Open.

There are several United States Tennis Professional Association-certified teachers here who spread the gospel of tennis with joy and passion. Think Bud Collins, without the loud shirts. 

As a parent of a daughter who loves the game, I especially like that the pros at La Quinta are really great with kids, and they can help your game - whether you’re a beginner or a budding pro.

La Quinta is the crown jewel of this So-Cal desert region that has become a tennis player’s kingdom. Many of the world’s top players can be spotted warming up on La Quinta’s courts on the days they have a match at nearby Indian Wells. 

But La Quinta isn’t just for the professionals. It’s for everyone. You can choose from a variety of tournaments, for example. The emphasis here is on fun and participation - but you can get as competitive as you want. There's no shortage of 'A' players on these grounds to challenge you.

The tennis program here got underway in 1978 when a consortium of famed former players – Charlie Pasarell, Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Marty Riessen, Roscoe Tanner and Dennis Ralston – joined forces to create one of the premier tennis facilities in the country. 

In this age of extreme sports, tennis may not be as popular or trendy as it was in the 1970s and 1980s. But for those of you who know that there is still no better game on earth, La Quinta remains our Mecca.

And yes, the poolside bistro, which is just a lob shot from the courts, serves strawberries and cream.