La Casa & Historic Villas — “The Star’s Retreat”

Built in the late 1920s, La Casa (originally Casa Magnolia) began as the private home of Lee Eleanor Graham, a visionary interior designer. Her masterpiece blended Spanish, Italian, and Mexican influences—white adobe walls, pink roof tiles, and rustic wood beams. In time, the property became the personal retreat of film icon Greta Garbo, who cherished it as her private escape from Hollywood’s glare.

Nearby, the resort’s villas tell their own stories of innovation and artistry. Villa 238, once home to director Dorothy Arzner, became a creative sanctuary where some of Hollywood’s first female filmmakers found inspiration. Each villa, from San Vicente to El Presidente, carries layers of history and character that make La Quinta a living museum of the golden age of film and design.

Did you know?

• The city of La Quinta was named after the resort—only Beverly Hills shares that distinction.

• Dorothy Arzner, one of Hollywood’s first female directors, once lived here in Villa 238.

• Greta Garbo’s La Casa remains one of the most historically significant homes on the property.

Continue to the next stop → The Tennis Gardens, Spa, and Morgan’s House