The Citrus Club

A Private Club Rooted in Citrus Groves, Backed by a Legendary Resort

La Quinta, California | Private Gated Golf Community

Part of the PGA WEST Family | Affiliated with La Quinta Resort & Club

The Citrus Club is a private, guard-gated golf community in La Quinta, California, set within a landscape of mature citrus groves, rolling fairways, and panoramic Santa Rosa Mountain views. Part of the PGA WEST family and affiliated with the legendary La Quinta Resort & Club, it offers a distinctive blend: the intimacy and close-knit character of a private residential club, paired with the resort-scale amenities and lifestyle privileges of one of the desert’s most storied hospitality properties.

The community includes a mix of attached and detached homes along with several areas of custom residences. Membership is not required to purchase, but most homeowners choose to take advantage of golf, social, and fitness membership options that unlock access to three Pete Dye championship courses, a 15,000 square foot fitness center, 23 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, 42 pools, and preferred pricing across La Quinta Resort dining, spa, and salon services.

For buyers drawn to a walkable club environment with a strong social calendar, frequent member touchpoints, and a lifestyle that reaches well beyond the fairway, The Citrus Club is one of the Coachella Valley’s most compelling options.

The Community at a Glance

A Resort Legacy, a Residential Chapter

The Citrus Club’s story is inseparable from the broader La Quinta resort legacy. What began as a 1920s desert retreat for Hollywood’s early elite eventually grew into one of the most recognizable golf and hospitality destinations in the American West. The community’s residential chapter started in 1990 when homes began to rise within the citrus groves that still line the fairways today. Understanding that timeline helps explain why the community feels the way it does: mature landscaping, established infrastructure, and a settled sense of place that newer developments are still working to build.

Golf and Course Experience

Golf at The Citrus Club centers on three Pete Dye championship courses, all accessible through the Golf Membership tier. The private Citrus Course is the community’s signature layout, with white-skirted citrus trees lining the fairways, water hazards, and Dye’s trademark strategic bunkering set against the Santa Rosa Mountains. The Mountain and Dunes courses, both semi-private and part of the La Quinta Resort golf operation, round out the three-course rotation and offer distinctly different playing experiences.

The Dunes is a links-style design drawn from the Scottish mold, favoring accuracy from the tee. The Mountain course is carved directly into the Santa Rosa range, demanding strategic play across dramatic elevation changes. Golf Digest has rated the Mountain course four stars.

Members who want broader access can upgrade to a Distinguished Desert Golf Membership, which unlocks all nine PGA WEST courses, including the renowned Pete Dye Stadium Course, and dual privileges at both The Citrus Club and The Club at PGA WEST.

Citrus Course Specifications

Amenities Beyond Golf

The Citrus Club’s affiliation with La Quinta Resort & Club is the defining amenity differentiator. Where most private clubs in the Coachella Valley offer a clubhouse, fitness center, and pools, Citrus Club members gain access to a full-scale resort amenity ecosystem that few standalone clubs can match. The result is a lifestyle package that spans fitness, racquet sports, aquatics, spa, and dining on a scale that would typically require a separate resort membership or nightly hotel rates.

Fitness Center

The Citrus Club’s own 15,000 square foot fitness center is described as full-service and state-of-the-art, equipped with Precor cardio and strength machines. Complimentary group classes include Zumba, Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga. Personal training is also available. In addition, members have access to the resort fitness center at La Quinta Resort, which offers its own class schedule and training options.

Tennis and Pickleball

Through the La Quinta Resort racquet campus, Citrus Club members have access to nearly two dozen tennis courts (including Har-Tru surfaces) and 8 pickleball courts. Courts are available from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. A key membership benefit: court fees that resort guests pay per hour are included as part of Citrus Club membership. Professional instruction, clinics, league play, and inter-club events are part of the racquet programming.

Pools and Aquatics

The Citrus Club membership marketing references 42 pools and spas across the La Quinta Resort campus, including an adults-only pool experience and dedicated lap pools. The Citrus Club also has its own private lap pool and spa on the club side. Because most Citrus Club homes include private pools, the resort pool access is more of a social and variety amenity than a daily necessity, but it adds meaningful depth for entertaining guests and visiting family.

Spa and Salon

Citrus Club members receive discounted services at Spa La Quinta & Salon at the resort. Specific discount structures have historically included a la carte service reductions, though current terms should be confirmed directly with the club as policies can evolve.

Dining

The Citrus Clubhouse features its own dining room and The View Bar, both overlooking the course and mountains. The setting serves as a gathering place for members, offering everything from casual breakfasts and relaxed lunches to cocktail gatherings, private wine dinners, themed evenings, and a la carte fine dining. Beyond the clubhouse, members enjoy preferred pricing at dining venues across La Quinta Resort, PGA WEST Tournament, Greg Norman, and Mountain & Dunes Clubhouses.

Social Calendar and Community Life

The Citrus Club’s social calendar is a defining feature of the community. Social committees shape the programming, which includes wine tastings, bridge groups, themed dinners, bocce leagues, holiday gatherings, and inter-club events. Members describe a close-knit, walkable club environment where midweek socials and weekend activities create frequent touchpoints. The community’s emphasis on social life and racquet sports alongside golf gives it a distinctly balanced character compared to clubs that center primarily on the course.

Membership Structure

The Citrus Club offers tiered membership options designed to match different lifestyle priorities. All memberships are family memberships, covering spouses and children under age 25. The club does not assess food and beverage minimums. Official initiation fees and dues are not consistently published online; the club encourages direct inquiries and tours. The information below reflects general tier descriptions and third-party estimates. Prospective members should request a current fee schedule in writing before making purchasing decisions.

Membership fees are not consistently published online and are subject to change. Verify current initiation fees, monthly dues, and tier-specific benefits directly with The Citrus Club membership office prior to making purchasing decisions.

Residences

The Citrus Club’s residential footprint includes approximately 540 to 625 homes across 21 to 22 unique floor plans, built between 1990 and 2013 by nine separate builders. Homes range from approximately 2,400 to over 4,500 square feet in the standard plans, with a select number of custom homes reaching approximately 8,000 square feet. The community also includes The Cove at the Citrus, a sub-neighborhood with newer construction (some completed as recently as 2016) offering three floor plans from approximately 3,000 to 4,200 square feet.

Architecturally, the community reflects an Old World Spanish and Mediterranean aesthetic with a resort sensibility. Buyers can expect entry courtyards, private pools and spas, open floor plans, vaulted ceilings, and generous outdoor living space. Most homes face the fairway with south-facing Santa Rosa Mountain views. Lots average approximately 10,300 square feet.

Residence Types at a Glance

Real Estate and Pricing

Home values at The Citrus Club generally range from approximately $1 million to $3 million or more, depending on size, floor plan, location within the community, vintage, and level of renovation. Custom homes and premium fairway positions with unobstructed mountain views typically command the highest pricing. Active inventory fluctuates seasonally, with peak listing activity aligning with the October through April high season.

The community averages approximately 46 home sales per year. Approximately 42% of properties that have sold in the community were furnished at the time of sale, reflecting the significant second-home and seasonal buyer profile. Buyers should plan to evaluate both the home purchase and the carrying cost together: property taxes, HOA dues, insurance, utilities, and any club membership dues all factor into the monthly picture.

Ownership is fee simple. Homeownership does not require club membership, and no portion of HOA dues supports golf course operations. The courses and club are owned and operated separately by Century Golf Partners and Hankuk Industry.

Pricing reflects general market conditions and is subject to change. For current availability and precise pricing, contact Kimberly Oleson directly.

Resident Profile

Census data for The Citrus Club indicates approximately 548 residents across 273 households, with an average household size of 2. The median age is 72. These figures reflect a community composed primarily of retirees, semi-retired professionals, and seasonal residents who maintain the community as a second home or winter residence. The population fluctuates seasonally, with significantly more activity during the October through April peak season.

Buyers considering The Citrus Club tend to value social programming and racquet sports as much as golf. The community attracts individuals and couples who want a close-knit, walkable environment with a strong sense of belonging, not just access to a golf course. Members frequently describe the community as a place where friendships form quickly and the social calendar keeps life interesting year-round.

Rental Policies

Short-term vacation rental policies are governed by the City of La Quinta and The Citrus Club HOA. Buyers interested in rental income or flexibility should verify current rules directly with the HOA and the city’s vacation rental permitting office, as regulations in this area continue to evolve. Some Citrus Club homes have historically been available through vacation rental channels, but specific HOA restrictions on minimum rental periods, frequency, and guest access to club amenities should be confirmed before purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Citrus Club in La Quinta?

The Citrus Club is a private, guard-gated golf community in La Quinta, California, part of the PGA WEST family and affiliated with La Quinta Resort & Club. The community includes approximately 540 to 625 homes surrounding an 18-hole private Pete Dye golf course, with membership privileges that extend to resort-scale amenities including tennis, pickleball, fitness, pools, spa, and dining.

Do you have to be a member to buy a home at The Citrus Club?

No. Membership at The Citrus Club is not required to purchase a home. However, most homeowners elect to join because membership unlocks access to the private golf course, the La Quinta Resort amenity package, and the community’s social calendar. HOA dues and club membership dues are separate costs.

How much do homes cost at The Citrus Club?

Home values at The Citrus Club generally range from approximately $1 million to $3 million or more, depending on size, floor plan, location, and level of renovation. Standard homes range from about 2,400 to over 4,500 square feet, with custom homes reaching approximately 8,000 square feet. The Cove at the Citrus offers newer construction in the 3,000 to 4,200 square foot range.

Who designed the golf course at The Citrus Club?

The 18-hole Citrus Course was designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1987. It plays up to approximately 7,150 yards from the back tees with a par of 72, a course rating of 74.3, and a slope rating of 135. Citrus Club Golf Members also have unlimited access to two additional Pete Dye courses: the Mountain and Dunes layouts at La Quinta Resort.

What are the membership options at The Citrus Club?

The Citrus Club offers Social, Golf, Sport, and Distinguished Desert Golf membership tiers. Social membership includes fitness, tennis, pickleball, dining, and resort discount privileges. Golf membership adds unlimited play on three Pete Dye courses. Sport membership provides discounted access to five PGA WEST resort courses. Distinguished Desert Golf is the top tier, unlocking all nine PGA WEST courses and dual-club benefits. All memberships are family memberships with no food and beverage minimums.

What amenities do Citrus Club members have access to?

Beyond golf, Citrus Club members enjoy access to a 15,000 square foot fitness center, 23 tennis courts (including Har-Tru surfaces), 8 pickleball courts, 42 pools and spas across the La Quinta Resort campus, a private lap pool, discounted spa and salon services at Spa La Quinta, clubhouse dining at The Citrus, and preferred pricing at multiple additional dining venues across the PGA WEST and La Quinta Resort properties.

What does the HOA cover at The Citrus Club?

HOA dues at The Citrus Club cover 24-hour guarded gate access and roving security patrol, cable TV, internet, front and back yard maintenance, exterior paint, roof maintenance, and trash collection. Dues vary by sub-area within the community, generally ranging from approximately $367 to $794 per month. HOA dues are separate from any club membership fees and do not fund golf course operations.

How far is The Citrus Club from Palm Springs International Airport?

The Citrus Club is approximately 21 miles from Palm Springs International Airport, which translates to roughly 30 minutes by car depending on traffic and time of day. Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, serving private aviation, is approximately 10 miles to the southeast. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County are each roughly two hours away by car.

What makes The Citrus Club different from other La Quinta golf communities?

The Citrus Club’s primary differentiator is its La Quinta Resort affiliation. Most private golf communities in the valley offer a clubhouse, fitness center, and perhaps a pool. Citrus Club membership unlocks access to the full La Quinta Resort amenity stack, including 42 pools, a major spa and salon operation, 23 tennis and 8 pickleball courts, and preferred pricing across resort dining and shopping. The community itself is also distinguished by its mature citrus grove landscape, close-knit social character, and the strength of its non-golf programming, making it especially compelling for buyers who want a lifestyle that extends well beyond the fairway.

What is the seasonal population pattern at The Citrus Club?

The Citrus Club follows the broader Coachella Valley seasonal rhythm, with peak activity and population from October through April and a quieter summer period. Census data indicates approximately 548 year-round residents, but the community’s seasonal population is significantly higher during the winter months. Approximately 42% of homes that have sold in the community were furnished at the time of sale, reflecting the substantial second-home and seasonal buyer profile. Buyers considering The Citrus Club should factor this seasonal dynamic into their expectations for social programming, dining activity, and neighborhood energy throughout the year.

Explore The Citrus Club with Kimberly Oleson

Buying into The Citrus Club means navigating membership tiers, HOA structures, resort affiliation nuances, and a community where the right home depends as much on lifestyle fit as it does on square footage. It requires someone who understands the details from the inside out. With a background in California real estate and business law, deep roots in the Coachella Valley, and a track record as the #1 individual agent at Coldwell Banker in Riverside County (2025), Kimberly Oleson brings the precision, local knowledge, and trusted relationships that make the difference between finding a property and finding the right home. Reach out to begin a confidential conversation about life at The Citrus Club.

Kimberly Oleson
Luxury Real Estate Advisor | Coldwell Banker Global Luxury

DRE# 02040875 | CalBar #166291 (inactive) | (760) 799-5577 | [email protected]