Luxury desert living in Southern California is about to take a dramatic leap forward.
Meriwether Companies has announced plans to develop the largest pneumatic wave basin in the United States as a private club amenity for members of Coral Mountain Desert Club, a 400-acre master-planned community set in La Quinta, California.
Developed in partnership with Thermal Beach Club, the surf lagoon will bring consistent, customizable waves to the heart of the desert, positioning the community as one of the most ambitious lifestyle developments in North America.
A New Benchmark for Master-Planned Communities
Designed as an annex amenity for Coral Mountain members, the surf lagoon reflects a broader shift toward experience-driven residential communities. According to Meriwether Companies, demand is increasingly shaped by buyers seeking adventure-forward, wellness-oriented living environments that go beyond traditional golf-centric models.
The wave basin will feature a 48-chamber pneumatic system, allowing waves to be tuned for all skill levels—from first-time surfers to seasoned riders—while offering year-round surf in an arid climate. The result is a highly controlled, inclusive surf experience designed to make wave riding accessible without sacrificing performance or consistency.
“Interest in surf and the wave pool space is booming, and the addition of the surf lagoon will catapult Coral Mountain Desert Club into a category of its own,” said Michael Schwab, partner, Meriwether Companies. “This new amenity reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a modern master-planned community can be and reinforces our vision for destinations that the next evolution of buyers can enjoy for generations to come.”
Anchored by Golf, Wellness, and Outdoor Connection
While the surf lagoon may be the headline-grabbing amenity, Coral Mountain Desert Club is envisioned as a comprehensive lifestyle destination. The community will be anchored by an 18-hole championship golf course designed by David McLay Kidd, complemented by world-class racquet sports, leading-edge fitness and recovery facilities, and curated social programming.
Extensive trail systems will weave throughout the property and connect to more than 20,000 acres of adjacent public land, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on outdoor recreation and wellness. Located on one of the last major undeveloped parcels in the greater Palm Springs region, Coral Mountain will be the area’s first new private club and community to debut in more than two decades.
Surf Culture Meets Desert Luxury
Interest in surf-centric amenities continues to surge globally, and Coral Mountain’s wave basin places the development at the forefront of this movement. For members of both Coral Mountain Desert Club and Thermal Beach Club, the lagoon offers a rare convergence of sport, leisure, and lifestyle, bringing coastal surf culture inland without compromise.
The project builds on Meriwether Companies’ growing portfolio in the engineerd surf space, following the successful launch of Cabo Real Surf Club in Los Cabos, Mexico. Together, these developments signal a broader evolution in how luxury communities integrate water, sport, and wellness.
Additional details regarding sales and development plans for Coral Mountain Desert Club are expected to be announced in early 2026. As luxury residential buyers continue to prioritize immersive amenities and experiential living, Coral Mountain’s wave basin sets a new standard, one that reimagines what desert communities can offer when innovation, recreation, and design converge.
For more information and updates, visit coralmountain.com.
