The American Express Golf Tournament: Exploring La Quinta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert & Indian Wells

California Desert Travel Guide | PGA TOUR Golf, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert & Indian Wells

January in the California desert feels incredible. The warm sun, palm trees, mountain views and clear skies were already enough to make me appreciate being there, but visiting during The American Express golf tournament gave me an entirely different introduction to the Greater Palm Springs area.

My trip took me through La Quinta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Indian Wells, giving me an opportunity to experience several of the desert communities while also getting a glimpse into the professional golf world.

As an African American woman traveling through the area, one of the things that stood out most to me was simply how welcomed I felt. Golf has its traditions and its own established community, but I never felt as though I had to already be a golf expert to enjoy the experience. I could come as myself, learn, explore and appreciate being part of the atmosphere.

Experiencing The American Express Golf Tournament in La Quinta

The American Express brought professional golf and a completely different energy to La Quinta.

Being around the PGA TOUR community was one of my favorite parts of the experience. I met people connected to the world of professional golf, interacted with fellow visitors and had conversations that introduced me to a culture I hadn't explored extensively before.

There's something different about experiencing a professional sporting event in person. You begin noticing everything surrounding the sport—the fans, fashion, traditions, conversations and community that don't always translate through a television screen.

And then there is the setting.

The combination of immaculate green courses against the rugged desert mountains is absolutely beautiful. Add the January California sunshine and it becomes easy to understand why golf has become such an important part of the La Quinta and Palm Desert lifestyle.

Shopping at the Official PGA TOUR Store

Of course, I couldn't attend a PGA TOUR event without doing a little shopping.

I stopped by the official PGA TOUR store during the tournament to browse the merchandise and find something to remember the experience.

Tournament merchandise also makes a great travel souvenir because it connects directly to a specific place and moment. Instead of picking up something I could purchase anywhere, I wanted something associated with actually being there for The American Express.

If you're attending the tournament in the future, I would definitely make time to browse the official merchandise while you're there.

Exploring La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells & Palm Springs

One of the best decisions I made was not treating the tournament as my entire trip.

The communities surrounding La Quinta each have their own personality, and exploring them gave me a better appreciation for the Greater Palm Springs and Coachella Valley area.

La Quinta gave me beautiful desert scenery, golf culture and that relaxing resort-community atmosphere.

Palm Desert felt polished and lively, with plenty of shopping, restaurants and places to explore between activities.

Indian Wells had a quieter, beautifully maintained atmosphere that made simply driving around and enjoying the scenery part of the experience.

And then there's Palm Springs, with its recognizable mid-century style, palm-lined streets, mountain backdrop and personality.

Together, they made the trip feel much bigger than traveling to California simply to watch a golf tournament.

The California Desert in January

The sunshine might have been my favorite part of the entire experience.

There is something wonderful about stepping outside in January and feeling the California desert sun on your skin. I could slow down, enjoy the scenery and appreciate being somewhere completely different without needing a packed itinerary.

Some of my favorite travel moments are actually the simplest ones: sunshine, a beautiful setting and enough time to enjoy where I am.

The surrounding mountains make the desert especially photogenic. Depending on where you are, you can have bright blue water, green palm trees, rugged mountains and clear desert skies all within the same view.

Where to Stay for The American Express: La Quinta Resort & Club or The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

If you're planning your own trip for The American Express golf tournament, location is worth considering when deciding where to stay.

Two properties that fit beautifully into a La Quinta getaway are La Quinta Resort & Club and The Chateau at Lake La Quinta.

La Quinta Resort & Club

For travelers who want the classic luxury-desert experience, La Quinta Resort & Club is an iconic option to consider. Its sprawling grounds, Spanish-inspired architecture, palm trees and connection to the area's golf culture make it especially fitting for a golf-focused getaway.

It's the type of setting that captures what many people picture when imagining a relaxing Southern California desert vacation.

The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

For something that feels smaller and more intimate, The Chateau at Lake La Quinta offers a different atmosphere. The lakeside surroundings create a peaceful contrast to the desert landscape and can be especially appealing if you want your tournament trip to include plenty of downtime.

Both give you the opportunity to make The American Express part of a larger La Quinta vacation rather than simply driving in for the tournament and leaving afterward.

A Welcoming Introduction to the Golf Community

As an African American woman, I'm always aware when I'm entering spaces where I may not immediately see many people who look like me.

But I also don't want that awareness to stop me from experiencing something new.

This trip reminded me of the importance of allowing yourself to enter unfamiliar spaces with curiosity. I enjoyed meeting people within the professional golf community, asking questions, observing the culture and simply enjoying the event.

I didn't need to change who I was to appreciate it.

I felt welcomed, and that became one of the memories I carried home from the trip.

Should You Visit La Quinta for The American Express?

I would.

Even if you're only beginning to explore golf, The American Express is a great reason to plan a January trip to La Quinta and the Greater Palm Springs area.

Come for the professional golf, but give yourself time for everything surrounding it.

Explore Palm Springs. Drive through Indian Wells. Spend some time in Palm Desert. Enjoy La Quinta. Shop for your PGA TOUR souvenir. Feel that incredible desert sunshine.

Most importantly, allow yourself to experience a community or event that might be completely different from what you normally choose when traveling.

That's what travel is supposed to do.

For me, The American Express wasn't only about watching golf. It became an opportunity to discover another side of Southern California, meet new people, enjoy the desert and leave with a new appreciation for the world surrounding professional golf.

And I would absolutely return.

Jessica Holland

California Travel • Events • Experiences • Luxury for Less