Slip Away to Old Town La Quinta

By Andrea Carter
For Desert Entertainer

Imagine a quaint little shopping district tucked into a mountain cove - accentuated with soothing water features, old-fashioned street lamps and Spanish Colonial architecture. Envision strolling one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants and art galleries in a cozy, Main Street setting. Now picture this destination a reality... at Old Town La Quinta.

Old Town La Quinta is a place to slip away and spend the day with more distinct shops, restaurants and art galleries. Here are just some of the charming places to explore in Old Town.

Pamper Yourself with the Healing Touch

Start your morning with a massage at La Quinta Healing Arts. This is not your ordinary day spa. Owner Brenda Burger has perfected her craft over the years at places like the La Quinta Resort & Club - and she's even had celebrity clientele coming back for more.

"You are guaranteed to have a good massage here, we don't do rub-downs," said Burger.

La Quinta Healing Arts specializes in therapeutic massage, such as Cranio Sacral Therapy (which strengthens your body's ability to take better care of you) and Neuromuscular Therapy (which focuses on soft tissue muscle ligaments and tendons for pain and tension release).

La Quinta Healing Arts also features an innovative new treatment for mind, body and soul called Virtual Dolphin Therapy. Virtual Dolphin Therapy is a multi-sensory experience that uses sound, special effects and a cutting edge water mattress to bring inspiration, stress relief, deep relaxation and self-help to those who experience it.

This innovative new therapy involves laying on a VibraSound Wave Table, which gives you the feeling of floating on the water. It also sends vibrations throughout the body, making you feel as if you are underwater.

Simultaneously, you watch dolphins swimming and dancing on a plasma screen positioned just over your head while listening to dolphin echolocations and relaxing music through a pair of headphones. Finally, a Vibrotactile Music Dolphin is placed on your stomach allowing you to feel the music and harmonics through your torso.

For more information on La Quinta Healing Arts and Virtual Dolphin Therapy, call (760) 777-1447 or go to www.laquintahealingarts.com.

Visit Your One-Stop Design Shop for Creative Home Renovations

Patrician Howden and Jeff Runyan opened Desert Design Group in Old Town La Quinta to offer an all-inclusive center for design and decorating services.

Desert Design Group has been in the desert for 15 years and can assist customers from something as simple as recovering a sofa to remodeling their whole house.

"We have a showroom where we sell home accessories and some unique furniture pieces," explained Howden. "We're licensed and bonded, and we handle complete remodeling, too. We even design pieces."

In recent years, Howden says homeowners were just looking at redesigning interiors. But nowadays, people want to remodel their entire home and stay there rather than move into a newer home.

Desert Design Group also does new home interiors such as treatments on the walls, stone work and fireplaces that are really different than the run-of-the-mill models. As opposed to a furniture store, Howden says they also sell fabrics and have a number of selections from different mills or you can special order.

The retail store features wonderful accessories and hostess gifts, including beautiful botanical oils, jade book markers, candles, martini sets and art. Soon they will be carrying custom jewelry, too.

Pick Up the Perfect Wine for Any Gathering at Old Town Cellar

With 15 years in the restaurant business, Dustin Nichols knows wines. After operating one of the Bellagio's five-star restaurants in Las Vegas, Nichols moved to the desert for a new challenge.

Nichols decided to open a wine store that highlighted vintages from boutique California wineries, which are hard to find.

"We also have a wine bar and are doing wine tastings in the store," added Nichols. "We remodeled and added a patio so customers can come in and sit outdoors while enjoying a glass of wine and a cigar, if they'd like."

There is also new indoor seating surrounding a 42-inch flat screen TV, featuring rustic wine barrel tables and bar stools which really create the authentic atmosphere of a winery.

The wine bar offer 10-12 wines to choose from - all at inexpensive retail prices.

For more information, call (760) 771-8950.

Browse High Fashion Styles at The Boutique at Old Town

The Boutique at Old Town features a number of fabulous new designers, and owner Carla Gramer continually looks for new ways to enhance the popular shop.

"I'm so excited about the new things I'm bringing in," said Gramer. "Some of my designers are hard to find so my customers can know they're buying merchandise that is truly unique."

One of the lines is Loyandford - which can be seen on stars like Jennifer Lopez and Angelia Jolie. The Boutique is Loyandford's exclusive distributor in the desert. Made of anything from silk jersey to sequins and lace, Loyandford designs are very chic.

Another sought-out designer Gramer is featuring is Tess Goss and her Palm Dreams line. Up until now, she had only been offering her line on the internet and at trunk shows. Goss uses a patented sequin technique on her clothing, which runs from casual wear to evening.

"I also love the Save the Queen line, from which item of clothing looks like a piece of art," added Gramer.

The Boutique carries belts, shoes and jewelry, as well as Ostrich leather handbags and other accessories Gramer is bringing in from South Africa.

Call (760) 777-9566 for more information.

Take In Old Town's Breathtaking Mountain View Clearer

One thing you'll love while spending time in Old Town La Quinta is the magnificent view of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains. And to enjoy it in full 20/20 grandeur, pay a visit to Dr. Ron Jensen of Old Town Optometry.

Old Town Optometry provides comprehensive eye exams in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Dr. Jensen - an optometrist with over 35 years experience - moved to the desert to retire after practicing in Los Angeles. But after discovering the quaint Old Town La Quinta office space, he decided to continue serving patients.

Old Town Optometry also carries a wide selection of fashion and sport frames for men, women and children - from prescription glasses to sunglasses. You'll find brands like Silhouette, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Vera Wang, Maui Jim, Kate Spade and Armani. Frames range from $99 to higher-priced designer frames.

The practice does accept most insurance plans, and Dr. Jensen gives a complete exam including medical history, Glaucoma testing and diabetic eye examination.

Old Town Optometry is sometimes able to offer same-day appointments, and is very convenient for the east end of the valley.

So to be sure you are seeing Old Town La Quinta in all its splendor, make an appointment with Dr. Ron Jensen at Old Town Optometry. Call (760) 771-0715 for more information.

There is so much to explore at the one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants in Old Town La Quinta - making it a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely day in the desert.