If you are considering a home at The Citrus Club, one of the first things to understand is that you are not just evaluating square footage or views. You are also weighing a lifestyle, a cost structure, and a community rhythm that can look a little different from one property to the next. When you know how ownership, HOA fees, and club membership fit together, you can make a far more confident decision. Let’s dive in.
Ownership and Membership Are Separate
One of the most important points for buyers is simple: buying a home at The Citrus does not automatically include club membership. Recent listing language notes that membership may be optional and not included in the sale, while the club’s official membership materials show that both homeowners and non-homeowners can choose from Golf, Sport, and Social memberships.
That distinction matters because your real monthly and upfront costs may depend on two different systems. You may be buying into the neighborhood through the home and HOA, while separately deciding whether you want access to the club lifestyle offered through The Citrus Club membership categories.
Membership Options at The Citrus Club
The Citrus presents membership as a lifestyle package rather than a single amenity pass. According to the club and La Quinta Resort membership overview, golf, social events, dining, fitness, and resort-style amenities all work together as part of the ownership experience.
Golf Membership
Golf membership includes a non-refundable $30,000 deposit, monthly dues of $1,281, and a $99 trail fee. Members receive unlimited golf and practice facility access on the private Citrus Course, plus access to the La Quinta Resort Mountain and Dunes courses. The club also notes that Golf memberships are capped at 560, and PGA WEST access may be added for an additional $390 per month.
Sport Membership
Sport membership requires a non-refundable $10,000 deposit and monthly dues of $475. This option includes Social membership benefits, along with access to five resort courses at discounted rates. For buyers who want an active club environment without committing to full golf access, this can be an appealing middle ground.
Social Membership
Social membership requires a non-refundable $5,000 deposit and monthly dues of $397. This tier includes access to the club’s active social calendar, pools, spas, tennis, pickleball, bocce, two fitness centers, fitness classes, and discounts on shopping, dining, rooms, Spa La Quinta, and salon services.
HOA Fees Need a Property-by-Property Review
Another key part of owning at The Citrus is understanding that club dues are separate from HOA dues. This is one of the most common areas of confusion for buyers, especially those comparing homes online.
Published listings show HOA fees varying by property, with examples around $510, $565, $620, $650, and $844 per month. A Palm Springs Life neighborhood profile lists a median HOA of $593, which can be helpful as a broad reference point, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed number for every home.
What is included may vary as well. Recent listing descriptions suggest HOA packages can include items such as controlled access, security, management, trash, cable TV, front-yard maintenance, or earthquake insurance. That means your diligence should focus on the exact home you are considering, not just the community in general.
What Homes at The Citrus Typically Look Like
The Citrus is best understood as a mature private-club community with detached homes and a strong resale market. Neighborhood data cited by Palm Springs Life identifies 563 total units, a median year built of 2003, an average home size of 3,450 square feet, and detached housing throughout the community.
In practical terms, many buyers will find homes that feel established rather than brand new. That often means more mature landscaping, a settled neighborhood layout, and floor plans designed around indoor-outdoor desert living.
Common Features You May See
Based on recent listing examples, homes at The Citrus often include:
- Single-family detached layouts
- Single-story or low-profile designs
- Golf-course or mountain views
- Private pools and spas
- Detached casitas or guest houses
- Courtyards and outdoor entertaining areas
Listing examples referenced in the research include a 2,600-square-foot three-bedroom home built in 1994 with a private casita, a 3,710-square-foot home with a guest house, a four-bedroom 2011 home with a detached casita, and a golf-front property on a 0.33-acre lot.
Architecture and Design Style
Architecturally, The Citrus tends to reflect Mediterranean, Modern Mediterranean, and Spanish Colonial influences. You will often see smooth stucco finishes, tile roofs, archways, courtyards, and outdoor living spaces designed to take advantage of the desert climate.
A Palm Springs Life feature on The Cove at The Citrus also points to a lower-maintenance luxury approach in newer homes, including floor plans around 2,800 to 2,879 square feet with options for a casita or additional room configurations. That can be especially useful if you want flexibility for guests without moving into a much larger footprint.
Day-to-Day Life at The Citrus Club
For many buyers, the real draw of The Citrus is not just the home itself. It is the day-to-day rhythm of the community. The club’s public-facing calendar shows an ongoing mix of sports, dining, and social programming rather than a limited set of seasonal events.
Archived schedules on the weekly club calendar include tennis academies, men’s and ladies’ tennis, golf clinics, Sunday couples events, bridge, happy hour, brunch, and Saturday night dining. That gives buyers a practical glimpse into how the club functions on a regular basis.
Tennis, Pickleball, and Fitness
If your lifestyle leans more active than golf-centered, The Citrus offers a meaningful amount of variety. According to the club’s tennis and pickleball information, members have access to 8 pickleball courts and 21 tennis courts, including five Har-Tru clay courts, plus lessons and recurring programming throughout the year.
This matters because many private-club buyers want options beyond golf. At The Citrus, the overall offering appears to support a repeatable routine built around movement, casual dining, and club programming rather than a one-dimensional golf experience.
What Buyers Should Confirm Before Closing
The most important diligence step at The Citrus is verifying the full cost structure for the specific property you want. Because HOA fees, included services, and optional membership choices can differ, you should avoid making assumptions based on another home in the community.
Here is a practical checklist to use during your review:
- Confirm the current HOA amount for the property
- Verify exactly what the HOA covers
- Ask whether club membership is included, transferable, optional, or separate
- Review current membership deposits, dues, and any add-on fees
- Confirm whether any wait limits or caps apply to your desired membership tier
- Check whether the property has features that affect maintenance or operating costs, such as a pool, spa, or detached casita
This kind of property-specific review is especially important in a club community where the ownership experience can vary meaningfully from one address to another.
Is The Citrus the Right Fit for You?
The Citrus may be a strong fit if you want a detached luxury home in La Quinta with a private-club setting, established architecture, and access to a broad amenity mix. It can be especially appealing if you value indoor-outdoor living, guest flexibility through casitas or guest houses, and the option to tailor your membership around golf, sports, or social use.
At the same time, it is wise to go in with a clear understanding that the true ownership picture is layered. The home purchase, HOA dues, and club membership decision each deserve separate review. When those pieces align with your priorities, The Citrus can offer a polished and highly livable desert ownership experience.
If you are considering buying or selling at The Citrus, Craig Chorpenning offers discreet, local guidance tailored to Coachella Valley luxury communities. You can request a private consultation or schedule a property tour to get clear answers on current availability, ownership costs, and how a specific home fits your goals.
FAQs
Does owning a home at The Citrus Club include membership?
- No. Available research indicates that homeownership and club membership are separate, and membership is optional rather than automatically included in the sale.
What are the membership options at The Citrus Club?
- The club publicly lists Golf, Sport, and Social memberships, each with different deposits, monthly dues, and access levels.
Are HOA dues and club dues the same at The Citrus Club?
- No. HOA dues are separate from club dues, and both should be verified for the specific property you are considering.
What kinds of homes are common at The Citrus Club?
- Buyers will often find detached single-family homes with desert-style architecture, outdoor living spaces, and features such as pools, spas, golf views, and detached casitas.
What amenities are available through Citrus Club membership?
- Depending on membership type, amenities may include golf, tennis, pickleball, pools, spas, fitness centers, bocce, social events, dining-related benefits, and selected resort discounts.
What should buyers verify before purchasing at The Citrus Club?
- Buyers should confirm the home’s HOA amount, what the HOA includes, whether membership is part of the transaction or separate, and the current club costs and terms tied to their preferred membership level.
