Old Town La Quinta

History & ownership

• La Quinta’s “village” business district began in the 1930s. The first commercial building was a general store located at 78039 Calle Estado, which opened in 1936 and now houses the El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant. Another early building (1935) at 78023 Calle Estado served as a real‑estate office. The area sat on a dry lake known as Marshall’s Lake until it was graded and drained for development.

• Developer Wells Marvin moved to La  Quinta in 1997. Inspired by the California Renaissance/Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of Santa Barbara, Carmel and the historic La Quinta Hotel, he spent seven years building Old Town La Quinta as a Main Street for the city. The project opened in 2002.

• Marvin continues to own and manage Old Town. In 2017 his company refinanced four buildings with a $12.4 million loan, allowing the creation of Linden Plaza, an 8 000‑sq‑ft pedestrian street between restaurants that hosts events and enhances outdoor dining. The recapitalization emphasises his long‑term investment in the property.

Architecture & design

• Although built in 2002, Old Town was deliberately designed to look like a 1920s Spanish village. Sources describe it as Spanish Colonial Revival/California Renaissance architecture with cobblestone streets, adobe‑style buildings, red‑tiled roofs, courtyards, and a village plaza. The design evokes the historic La Quinta Resort and creates an old‑world ambience.

• Landscape architects converted side streets into plazas and added stairways, decorative pavers and Mediterranean‑style planters to match the city’s design vernacular. These touches, along with bells that toll on the hour, give the area a handcrafted feel.

How residents and visitors use it

• Old Town is La Quinta’s gathering place and Main Street. The city’s facility guide notes that it offers over 30 unique cafés, shops, boutiques, salons and services. Above the shops are offices; people work there, grab coffee and muffins in the morning, and enjoy wine after work.

• Weekly events anchor the community. A Certified Farmers Market runs every Sunday from October through May (8 am–1 pm) and features local produce, artisan foods, and even yoga sessions. Marvin also hosts First Thursdays live‑music evenings and Art on Main Street events showcasing local artists. All events are free to attend, and parking is also complimentary.

• The setting invites relaxed exploration. Visitors are encouraged to wander through curved streets, sample artisan olive oils and wellness products, shop at boutiques, then dine at patios cooled by misters. A guide for residents and visitors notes that Old Town hosts the Art on Main Street festival every month and the Sunday farmers’ market, while the nearby museum and arts festival add cultural depth.

• Travel writers describe Old Town as an upscale outdoor shopping centre with more than 30 businesses, free parking, and a European‑inspired atmosphere. Visitors rent e‑bikes, browse art studios, attend happy hours and enjoy the mountain backdrop; the location functions as both a tourist attraction and a hang‑out for locals.

Key takeaways

• Old Town La Quinta blends modern construction (opened 2002) with Spanish Colonial Revival design to recreate a 1920s California village.

• Wells Marvin developed and still owns the project; he invests in improvements, such as Linden Plaza, and champions a community-focused Main Street.

• Residents and visitors use Old Town as a shopping, dining, and social hub, enjoying farmers markets, art events, offices above shops and relaxed streetscapes nestled against the Santa Rosa Mountains