Your job: Decide to get out of town and fast. Our job: Help you find where you're headed. This week, NBCLA's Worth the Drive takes us to...
La Quinta: Few resorts are larger than lovely La Quinta -- there are 41 famous pools -- yes, 41 -- or as Hollywood-historic. Frank Capra wrote "It's a Wonderful Life" in one of the bungalows. You can, in fact, still stay in the very room. Is there screenplay magic there? We hope.
Golfing: Besides hosting Tinseltown luminaries and swimmers galore, the resort is known for its greens. It's nestled against the PGA West, and professionals and duffers alike travel to swing a few irons.
If you're a duffer... Know that the LA Quinta courses are regularly called some of the most challenging in the world. We're not talking putt-putt here.
The Desert Links Package: Winter is a bustling season for La Quinta, thanks to those temperate days and fireplace-nice nights, so it is a fine thing to see specials on the offer. Aren't specials usually for the off-seasons? Not this one. The Desert Links deal hooks guests up with play-as-much-as-you-like golf on the five PGA courses, a $25 credit to use toward a massage or something else resort-y, and a room.
Price: $295
End date: End of spring 2010
Ernie's: Where we once ate some delicious, toasty-hot fries. It's the restaurant at the Tournament Clubhouse, and makes an excellent vantage point for watching the links action from. In case you want to accompany a friend who golfs while you yourself specialize in the eating of fries.
Why we'd club-up sooner: La Quinta is lighting its giant Christmas tree on Friday, November 27th; there are other holiday to-dos planned. A serene spot to enjoy all that is Noel.
