Here’s a sampling of our January events calendar at Monarch Dunes:

• Jan 14: Butterfly Talk with Kingston Leong – he is working with our members to maintain the Butterfly habitat here at Trilogy. At last count, there were over 1,000 butterflies here!
• Jan 18: Charter Club open house for members to come and join some of our clubs (or start a new one!)
• Jan 20: Visit the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas
• Jan 20: A food and wine pairing event with Stephen Ross Winery
• Jan 27: Member Potluck – our monthly gathering for food and friends. This month’s theme is “Chinese New Year.”

We look forward to having you join us for events such as these, when you become a new neighbor here at Monarch Dunes.

The Bordeaux – available for $271,966 – is a spacious and flexible plan at 1,971 square feet, with the kitchen and a large great room at the heart of the home. A morning room off of the kitchen provides a cozy place for enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, especially with the outdoor covered lanai just steps away if you decide to take your morning ritual outside. The expansive master suite includes a large walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom, and is located on the opposite end of the home from the guest room for increased privacy. The Bordeaux designer home will grand open on March 12, 2012.

Learn more about the Bordeaux.

From the moment you enter the Hibiscus – available for $203,858 – you will get the sense that it is much larger than it actually appears, making it a great home for entertaining. The main living area overlooks the beautiful backyard, the open kitchen is positioned to give the chef a view of the entire great room, and a radius island serves as additional workspace or a perfect spot to enjoy your meals. And, when your guests decide to spend the night, you’ll say “No problem,” because the master suite and the guest room are separated to provide the ultimate in privacy. The Hibiscus designer home will grand open on April 12, 2012.

Learn more about the Hibiscus.

Home Site #8031 | MONTEREY Model | $364,900

This beautiful, flexible Monterey home gives you a lot of ways to spend time with your family and friends. It’s open to your ideas. You have a fabulous, open kitchen that angles out to your great room and dining area, so all the action is centered in one place-and you don’t feel left out when you’re stirring up the risotto.

Everything looks toward the back and your covered patio, so things feel big and inviting. If you want a fireplace, it’s just that much more cozy and special. You can use your formal dining area for small, special gatherings, or you might want to turn it into your own private place off the front entry.

Your master suite, with a bay window and big walk-in closet, has a beautiful view out the back that will give you a little lift every time you enter. And your guest room is way down the hall, so no one has to spend the weekend whispering.


Learn more about this home here or call (800) 685-6494 to schedule an in-person tour.

The new Floral Collection has homes starting from 1,400 square feet and $165,990. All of the homes offer two bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage, and they feature spacious open floor plans, ideal for hosting family and friends.

If you like to be at the center of the action, you’ll love entertaining in the Carnation home. An open floor plan spans the family room, kitchen, and dining room. Continue into the great room and out to the covered patio to see why this home is the perfect place for a gathering. The open configuration has another subtle but powerful benefit: it positions the kitchen only steps from the garage, making it easy to unload groceries.

Learn more about the Carnation and the Floral Collection.

The new Arbor Collection features larger homes, starting from 2,071 square feet and $225,990.

The Sequoia offers 2,710 square feet of luxurious living, boasting a gathering and media great room area, a spacious kitchen, a formal dining area, a private owner’s retreat, a guest bedroom and an optional den or third bedroom, in addition to a three-car garage and Smart Space. The paved portico entrance highlights the attractive front of the home and leads into the beautiful paved courtyard with a covered overhang. Whether it contains a garden or fountain, this modern courtyard has very few limitations.

Learn more about the Sequoia and the Arbor Collection.

Save the Date: Model Grand Opening Event – February 11 and 12

On February 11 and 12, 2012, we will host a grand opening of the five new models for you to tour, featuring the entire lineup of new floor plans. These beautiful new models will have fully landscaped yards and tastefully decorated interiors, and we will have free Good Life Cuisine food samples, and water and soda for your enjoyment.

In addition to the food and beverage and model tours, we will run putting (golf), bocce, and tennis clinics during the event, so you can meet fellow prospective buyers in a fun social atmosphere. You may also register on-site to win a new iPad! We’ll give away one each day. You will receive a Passport that will be stamped at each of the activity locations during the day; you must have your Passport stamped to register for the contest.

Enjoy the convenience of a trolley ride from the resort club to the models. Simply park at the club, and we’ll take care of the rest!

If you’re looking to lose weight, gain confidence, or just feel healthier this year, set yourself up for success by finding a routine that feels more like fun than fitness.  Read on to discover four out-of-the-box activities that just might motivate you to make fitness a permanent part of your routine.

Pickleball
Pickleball is a funny name for a game that is most simply described as a combination of tennis and badminton. Players use paddles to hit a wiffle ball across a net on a court that is significantly smaller than a tennis court. Besides being addictively entertaining, this game is great for your health because it promotes cardiovascular endurance, hand-eye coordination, and improved balance. Over time, players gain better agility, as well as toned muscles and increased stamina.  Plus, an hour of pickleball can burn between 320 and 500 calories, depending upon the intensity of the game.

The sport of pickleball is not as physically demanding as tennis. The pickleball court is half the size of the standard tennis court, so there is less running involved, which keeps the intensity low and decreases the risk of injury. (It’s also worth noting that getting hit with a pickleball does not hurt as much as getting hit with a denser, faster-moving tennis ball.)  The rules of the game dictate an underhand serve, a single bounce before the first hit, and a non-volley zone at the net, which slows the game down significantly and makes it an enjoyable alternative to higher impact sports.

Many of our communities organize weekly pickleball games in which all members are welcome to participate.  Check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com or MyArdienteLife.com to find out when you can join your neighbors for some fun and friendly competition on the pickleball courts!

Dance
Whether you prefer to waltz across a ballroom floor, do-si-do to the commands of a square dance caller, or shake a leg to the beat of your favorite tunes in the privacy of your own living room, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a great cardio workout just by dancing your heart out.

Dancing can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle.  During a half hour of sustained dancing you can burn between 200 and 400 calories.  One factor that determines how many calories you’ll expend is distance.  In one study, researchers attached pedometers to square dancers and found that each person covered nearly five miles in a single evening. Dance workouts provide cardiovascular conditioning that can contribute to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and an improved cholesterol profile when practiced regularly.  As an added benefit, the side-to-side movements of many dances strengthen your weight bearing bones, which can help prevent or slow the loss of bone mass.

Many of our communities offer weekly dance activities, including Zumba (a Latin dance-based exercise class), ballroom dancing, line dancing, and even ballet.  Check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com to find out what’s available at your community.

Hula Hooping
Hula hooping isn’t just for kids, though this is definitely a fun activity to share with your grandkids while you’re getting your daily dose of exercise!

Hula hooping strengthens and tones your core (abdominal) muscles, which helps prevent back pain and improves balance and posture. Like golf, hula hooping promotes muscle and body awareness, as it requires you to coordinate the movement of your hips with the motion of the hula hoop.

According to an article in Time Magazine, one hour of intense hula hooping burns the same number of calories as an hour spent jogging on a treadmill. Hula hooping, however, is a much lower-impact activity that is still an incredibly effective way to build cardiovascular endurance and regulate body weight. Hula hooping is rhythmic and oscillatory in nature, which is great for your joints. Regular joint mobilization is important for optimal joint health, and hula hooping does just that – it mobilizes your joints without putting undue stress on them.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of hula hooping – aside from the fun factor – is that it’s so convenient.  This is an exercise that you can do on your own, anytime, anywhere.  The only equipment required is an inexpensive hula hoop.  (Note that hula hoops come in different weights.  The lighter the hoop, the more energy is required per body rotation to keep that hoop moving.)  So, instead of sitting on the sofa during your favorite television show each day, you can stand up and hula hoop from the beginning of the show to the end, taking short breaks as needed.  You’ll have an effective, calorie-burning workout without leaving your living room.

Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art. Today, this low-impact exercise is a popular offering at many fitness centers across the country – including those at the Trilogy communities. Tai Chi involves a slow, continuous flow of motions that are named for animal actions, like “white crane spreads its wings.” Because many of these motions are circular, the muscles remain relaxed and the joints are not fully extended, so connective tissue is not stretched. The benefits of this practice include stronger muscles, higher aerobic endurance, and improved balance and flexibility.

Tai Chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but according to a recent Harvard Medical School publication, it could more accurately be described as “medication in motion.” According to Peter M. Wayne, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Tai Chi and Mind-Body Research Program at Harvard Medical School’s Osher Research Center, there is much evidence that this mind-body practice has value in treating or preventing many health conditions commonly associated with age.

A typical class includes a warm-up with easy motions like shoulder circles, followed by instruction and practice of the Tai Chi forms, and ending with breath work and energy work. Most of our communities offer Tai Chi classes; so check the Events page of MyTrilogyLife.com or MyArdienteLife.com to find out when this class is held at your community’s fitness center.

Do you have an out-of-the-box activity that gets you moving?  If so, feel free leave a comment below.

Groupon & Living Social – A new trend is “one day deals” made popular by Groupon and Living Social. These offers usually take the form of “pay $10 for $20 of goods/food/services from a certain local restaurant/provider highlighted on that given day”, for example.  Upon visiting either of these sites, you will be prompted for basic information, along with your local geographic region, to sign up for email alerts. The sites will then send you emails with new local deals, about every 24 hours. Deals range from discounts on kayaking to wine tasting, fine dining, massage therapy and more! Subscribe to each service for regular updates.  And be sure to read the fine print, to know exactly what you are signing up for, before buying into a deal.

Yelp Check-Ins – If you have a smart phone or other device, you can easily download the mobile application for Yelp to take advantage of Yelp’s Check-In Deals. You can view these deals by one of two ways. You can use the app to search for restaurants/activities and see if your particular restaurant or service provider has a check-in deal in the menu. Or, you can check in to your existing destination via Yelp Mobile to see if there is a deal available!

Retail Me Not – Retail Me Not is your one stop shop for all online coupons. Before “checking out” your shopping cart at just about any online retailer (such as www.target.com or www.brookstone.com), head over to www.retailmenot.com.  Here, you can search for current deals and coupon codes for your specific retailer.  Then, as you go to check out, you can enter that information in the “Redeem Coupon” or “Promo Code” field.  Codes can often be good for free shipping or anywhere from 10 to 20 percent off!

Do you use other sites or tactics to save money online?  Let us know other tips that have worked for you.

Beyond your home. Beyond expectation. At the heart of the Trilogy at La Quinta community is the Santa Rosa Club, a 21,000-square-foot hub for connecting with yourself and others. Under its roof, the state-of-the-art Athletic Club has everything you can imagine to keep you at your physical and spiritual best—from Tai Chi classes to cutting-edge computerized fitness equipment to health and fitness trainers. Not to mention the Club’s own naturopath, Dr. Amy, who shares helpful health tips in her Member newsletter and blog.

Indulge in a massage treatment at the Coral Spa. Or stop into Café Solaz to enjoy a light lunch with a friend or sip coffee while sending an email to the kids. As you can see, your new community is all about staying connected. But not just at this Trilogy. Our community intranet, MyTrilogyLife.com, not only keeps you up-to-date on what’s going on here but also gives you a forum for making connections and exploring interests in all kinds of ways, with the passionate people living at every Trilogy community.

Where you jump in feet first.

How about doing a cannonball in either of our two beautiful pools? The outdoor resort pool will make you feel like you’re on vacation while the indoor Junior Olympic-style pool presents the perfect opportunity to shave some time off your butterfly laps. The tennis is phenomenal, with four lighted championship tennis courts. And then there’s the remarkable golf course (but more on that later). The point is when you live at Trilogy at La Quinta, your home is so much more than four walls. It’s also what your doors open up to.

View a floor plan of the Club.

The Golf Club

Set at the base of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains of Palm Desert, California, this 18-hole championship Southern California golf course is a Gary Panks-design that insures challenge and reward for players of all skill levels.

The Golf Club at La Quinta has been tested and tried by professional golf players including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Adam Scott, Annika Sorenstam and Mark O’Meara, as the home of the 2003, 2004, 2005, and the 2006 PGA Tour SKINS GAME events.

Several sets of tee boxes, including the Skins tees that play at nearly 7,200 yards, provide a length that is just right for your golf game. Dramatic water features and sand perils complement the golf course fairways, leading to the rolling greens. The natural California desert landscape of the surrounding Coachella Valley creates a boundary of play both beautiful and daunting.

The Golf Club at La Quinta opened for play in 2002 in the ever-beautiful and ever-developing City of La Quinta, which is located in the eastern half of Southern California’s Coachella Valley.

View Our Home Collections >>

Costas Collection from $419,990

Homes range from 1,671 – 1,824 Sq. Ft.

In the Costas Collection luxury is the guiding principle in every detail, from the architecture to the subtle palette of colors. And views through the heart of your home to your backyard make everything feel light, open and welcoming. These beautiful, functional homes range from 1,671 to 1,824 square feet, with gorgeous kitchens, quaint breakfast nooks and large suites.

View homes in the Costas Collection »

Valles Collection from $469,990

Homes range from 2,007 – 2,343 Sq. Ft.

Inspired by coastal architecture, the Valles Collection is all about giving you options. From, 2,007 to 2,343 square feet, these homes are open to your ideas of what a home should be. Breakfast nook, dining room, den and courtyard – these places are yours to make what you want. Each layout features a huge two-car garage and at least two bedrooms. And your great room is situated next to the backyard, for fun, open entertaining.

View homes in the Valles Collection »

Playas Collection from $555,990

Homes range from 2,164 – 3,209 Sq. Ft.

Here, you’ll find fun, and room, for the whole family. With 10 foot ceilings and lots of windows, Playas homes offer one- and two-story plans ranging from 2,392 to 3,209 square feet. All designs offer you two or three bedrooms, some have a den and one even has a gathering room/home theater. Whichever you choose, Playas homes are all about giving you the openness and space for hobbies, exercise and entertainment – everything it takes to make your house your own.

View homes in the Playas Collection »

Cerros Collection from $679,990

Homes range from 3,223 – 3,694 Sq. Ft.

Our Cerros Collection is designed for those who’d like a little more space to spread out, and come complete with not just amazing master and guest bedrooms, but also grand entertaining spaces. For those looking for a larger home, these are certainly our crown jewels, including our largest layout (at nearly 3,700 beautiful square feet), the Romauldo.

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Trilogy at Encanterra Collection from $149,990

Homes range from 1,218 – 2,382 Sq. Ft.

The exclusive Trilogy at Encanterra Home Collection near Phoenix, Arizona was designed especially for customers aged 55+ to offer the best new home designs for the active adult, resort community lifestyle. Each new home for sale in this collection features floor plans designed for easy retirement living and to effortlessly entertain friends and family.

View homes in the Trilogy at Encanterra Collection »

Francia Collection from $179,990

Homes range from 1,314 – 1,928 Sq. Ft.

Each home in this series is equipped with a versatile gathering area that boasts all the essentials for casual entertaining. Oriented toward the rear of the home, the living areas provide grand spaces for interior and exterior livability. Sun, shadow and a feeling of spaciousness are an integral part of the architecture throughout the homes. Courtyards, French doors and large panels of glass blur the boundaries between indoors and out, and permit natural light and breezes to mingle.

View homes in the Francia Collection »

Italia Collection from $272,990

Homes range from 2,121 – 2,281 Sq. Ft.

Casual yet elegant, the Italia Collection features a grand family room strategically positioned in the rear of each home. Blending indoor fun and outdoor festivities, these homes offer an entertainment environment that knows no bounds. Ten-foot ceilings, massive eight-foot interior doors, and glorious panes of glass are all perfectly placed to enhance sight lines and flood these models with natural light.

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Espana Collection from $302,990

Homes range from 2,164 – 3,764 Sq. Ft.

With stucco archways, intimate courtyards and a range of exterior colors, you can see why it’s so easy to get lost in the architectural craftsmanship of the España Collection before ever stepping foot inside. Soaring ceilings, brilliant natural light, a large kitchen at the hub of the house and exterior courtyards earn this collection unmatched distinction while creating an inviting and open environment for entertaining.

View homes in the Espana Collection »

Featured Home: | Home Site #1159 

$210,847 | 1,928 square feet | 2 beds, 2 baths

Features:

• Home backs to greenbelt
• Luxury kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, large granite island with undermount sink, warm wood cabinetry
• Dining area bathed in natural light from large windows
• Master bath with “his” and “hers” vanities and a large walk-in glass and tile shower
• Covered outdoor patio adjacent to greenbelt

This home features two bedrooms, a den, two baths, a two-car garage, “smart space,” a great room and a formal dining room.

The orientation of the great room is unique. It flows horizontally creating a symbiotic relationship with the kitchen while engaging the flexible dining room and the outdoor great room through a vertical assembly. These three spaces; the great room, the dining room and the outdoor great room, create the perfect structural environment for a progressive evening of hors d’oeuvres, main course, and desserts encompassed in a shroud of entertainment.

Because of the dining room’s design and proximity within the home it can also function as a morning room, a media room or an entertainment hall.

”Smart space” is specially designed space removed from the natural flow of the home yet connected. It provides the freedom to learn, explore and experiment without adversely impacting the flow and livability of the home.

In this true split floor plan, the owner’s retreat is secluded in the most private part of the home. The suite is equipped with its own private foyer, an expansive sleeping area, a trademark Shea Shower and a closet room.

View our complete collection of move-in ready homes here.