L
ori Loughlin and her estranged husband, Mossimo Giannulli, just closed a $16.5 million sale of their La Quinta estate—four years after purchasing it for $13 million. The transaction underscores why the desert town has quietly become a top luxury market in the U.S.
Realtor.com revealed the deal in December, and it is part of a growing trend of multimillion‑dollar gains in a community that now attracts the likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook, pop star Justin Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Kris Jenner, supermodel Cindy Crawford, and music executive Scooter Braun.
**Market snapshot**
* Median listing price: $875,000
* 188 homes listed at $1 million or more
* 24 homes listed at $5 million or more
**Why La Quinta draws A‑listers**
Karen Ahaesy, a Compass agent whose family first bought a home there 30 years ago, says the town has transformed from a quiet desert enclave into a resort‑style haven that offers privacy and luxury. With a population of 37,846, La Quinta boasts a mix of upscale neighborhoods and easy access to top‑tier amenities across the Coachella Valley.
Key attractions include:
* The Thermal Club, one of the world’s most exclusive private motorsport clubs
* Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, providing private jet access minutes away
* The Zenyara estate, a venue for high‑profile events
Its proximity—just two hours from Los Angeles—makes it especially convenient for city dwellers.
**Drivers of rising home values**
Ahaesy notes that low inventory in premier communities such as The Madison Club, Hideaway, Tradition, and The Quarry keeps competition fierce whenever a high‑quality home hits the market. Buyers from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest are drawn by the space, privacy, resort‑like amenities, and newer construction. Remote and hybrid work trends, coupled with La Quinta’s mild winter temperatures (70–80 °F), further boost demand.
Second‑home buyers also find the town appealing, describing it as a true escape. Nearby events—Coachella, Stagecoach, and the American Express PGA tournament—bring international visibility and reinforce La Quinta’s resort‑lifestyle image, attracting influencers and celebrities who help sustain long‑term property values.
**What sets La Quinta apart**
While close to Indian Wells, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert, La Quinta offers a quieter, newer feel with high‑end gated communities and custom estates. Palm Springs is more urban and nightlife‑oriented; Palm Desert serves as the valley’s retail hub; Indian Wells is elegant but smaller. La Quinta provides a broader range of ultra‑luxury options, including newer golf communities, major private estates, and proximity to attractions like the Desert International Horse Park.
In short, La Quinta combines high‑end living, seclusion, natural beauty, contemporary homes, and access to elite pursuits—golf, tennis, motorsports, equestrian sports, and private air travel—in a way that is rare both in the Coachella Valley and across California.
