The Capra Suite & Waterfall Lawn — “Hollywood’s Hideaway”

A short stroll brings you to the Capra Suite, once home to filmmaker Frank Capra, who came to La Quinta in 1934 seeking quiet and inspiration. Here, he wrote It Happened One Night, a film that went on to win five Academy Awards—including Best Picture. The suite still houses Capra’s typewriter, a small but powerful reminder of how creativity flourished in the desert’s stillness.

Just steps away, the Waterfall Lawn has been a stage for countless love stories and celebrations. In 1953, legendary actress Ginger Rogers was married here, surrounded by the sound of water and the scent of citrus. As you walk these gardens, you can almost feel the echoes of Old Hollywood—elegant, timeless, and full of life.

Did you know?

• The Capra Suite is one of the resort’s most requested accommodations.

• The blue-painted doors and windows throughout the property are said to ward off evil spirits.

• The waterfall lawn has hosted hundreds of weddings, including Ginger Rogers’ in 1953.

• Shirley Temple once hosted Easter at the resort.

Continue to the next stop → La Casa & Historic Villas