Where is Clare’s Bachelorette Season Filmed?

Clare’s (or is it Tayshia’s??!) season of “The Bachelorette” is about to wrap filming in La Quinta, California, & is set to air in mid-October.  This season is different from past ones for two primary reasons: 1) Due to the pandemic, “The Bachelorette” is filming ONLY in one location vs. at the Bachelor mansion & around over the world; 2) There are already rumors (mini-SPOILER here!!!) that Clare dropped out of filming early on & has been replaced by Tayshia Adams.  For more on that, check Reality Steve’s site!  But the question we’re asking here is: exactly where is Clare’s crazy season of “The Bachelorette” being filmed??! 

As it turns out, the answer to that question is intimately familiar to me, as my family owns a restaurant ONE MILE away from where they’re filming: the La Quinta Resort & Spa.  Because I’ve been to that resort no less than 50 times (when I lived in La Quinta, my friends & I laid out there all the time ~ they have over 30 pools!!), I’ve got plenty of “insider knowledge” to share… 

Map of La Quinta

Where is Clare’s Bachelorette Season Being Filmed?

I’ve written many articles about where “The Bachelor” is filmed, but never has the answer hit so close to home: I lived next to the La Quinta Resort for seven years, & the restaurant I started with my family (back in 2004), Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, is just a mile away in Old Town La Quinta.  We’ve held our company Christmas party at the resort, I’ve been on dates there (dine at the Adobe Grill, then go hot-tubbing!), my family has enjoyed the grounds at Christmastime as they set up a HUGE tree by the lobby each year, & as mentioned: I’ve been in nearly all their pools.

In fact, when I was in La Quinta this past May of 2020 (during quarantine), one of the last things I did was walk my new puppy on the resort grounds….& let me tell you: it was DEAD.  Deserted.  The resort had been closed for months, & the odd thing was, I saw NO ONE ~ not even maintenance workers around.  The grounds frankly looked pretty lackluster, so I hope they gave them a lot of TLC prior to filming.

What makes the La Quinta Resort so special is its sprawling location next to the lovely Santa Rosa mountains; from essentially anywhere in the resort, you’ll open up to views of these mountains.  La Quinta is a golfer’s paradise, & the La Quinta Resort has two signature 18-hole courses: the Dunes & Mountain Courses (if you’re choosing between the two, choose the Mountain Course)!  There are tennis courts, pickle ball courts, plenty of paths to walk, 30+ pools (most are mid-sized, but two are very large ~ the Adult Pool by the property entrance & the large pool by the Spa…which usually has LOTS of kids in it).  And if you feel like a massage, the resort’s renowned spa is beautiful, but be forewarned: it’s VERY pricey!! 

The La Quinta Resort is one of the oldest resorts in the desert: it opened in the 1920’s as a retreat for some of Hollywood’s most famous stars; it helped kick off the decades-long connection between Hollywood & Palm Springs that remains to this day.  You’ll find many black-and-white, vintage photos of the resort in the main lobby.  Also, when walking the grounds, particularly in the section around the lobby, you’ll notice the buildings are named ~ some after celebrities who’ve stayed there.  If you enjoy this sense of history, ask to stay in the resort’s older section (around the Spa are the newer, more modern Spa Villas).

Where to Eat at La Quinta Resort

My favorite restaurant at the La Quinta Resort is their upstairs Mexican restaurant: the Adobe Grill.  There are few better places in the desert to enjoy the sunset than on their patio, sipping a margarita.  Is it expensive?  Of course!!  Everything at the La Quinta Resort is.  Morgan’s sits right below Adobe Grill, & is a great spot to enjoy breakfast al fresco.  Twenty-Six is their fine dining option, & while it’s a little too upscale for my taste ~ it’s a great place for cocktails.

If prices at the La Quinta Resort are giving you sticker-shock, head right down the street to my family’s restaurant, Stuft Pizza!  Happy Hour is from 3-6PM daily & is one of the best in the desert ~ & our menu includes MUCH more than pizza: steaks, seafood, salmon (my favorite!!), cocktails, microbrews….there is truly something for everyone.  Coffee at Old Town Coffee Company is outstanding, & the Cliff House is another favorite dinner spot in La Quinta.

When to Visit La Quinta

Basically, when visiting the Palm Springs/La Quinta area: AVOID the horribly hot summer months from mid-June through mid-September.  Temperatures during this time can be as hot as 120 degrees!!!  (Trust me, it’s bloody awful living in that kind of heat, much less vacationing in it.)  Why “The Bachelorette” chose to film during this time of year is beyond me ~ & it will be humorous to watch how much sweat pours off the poor cast this season! 

But here’s the good news about La Quinta: the weather the rest of the year is essentially PERFECT.  From October through May, you’ve got warm days & balmy nights (it does get cool at night in December & January).  It’s basically bikini season year-round, & when the rest of the world is smack-dab in the dead of winter: people are still laying out & playing golf here, which makes it an ideal winter & spring destination. 

***Insider Tip: Hotel rates are highest during Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, & all throughout March & Spring Breaks ~ so plan accordingly!

Where is Clare’s Bachelorette Season Filmed?