The Salton Sea, a place of fascinating contrasts and unexpected beauty, is one of California’s most environmentally significant locations. Once a booming tourist destination, it turned into an environmental disaster, leaving behind abandoned towns and settlements. Yet, it remains a unique destination worth visiting.
You’re about to explore the southeastern region of this vast lake, where you can experience volcanic mud hot springs, observe unique wildlife, and visit the infamous Slab City, known for its art installations.
This guide will take you through the top attractions and activities, from natural wonders to artistic installations, and provide insights into the area’s rich history and current environmental challenges.
The Fascinating History of the Salton Sea
As you explore the Salton Sea, you’ll uncover a rich history that dates back millennia. The Salton Sea is California’s largest lake, and its story is one of dramatic changes over the years.
From Ancient Lake to Accidental Sea
The Salton Sea has its origins in ancient times when the Colorado River would flood the Salton Basin, creating temporary lakes that would eventually evaporate. This cycle repeated over thousands of years. In 1901, the California Development Company dug irrigation canals from the Colorado River, but when engineers cut too much from the bank, heavy floods rushed in, creating the Salton Sea lake. By the time the breach was fixed, a massive lake had formed with no natural outlet, becoming California’s largest lake at 35 miles long and 15 miles wide.
Rise and Fall as a Tourist Destination
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Salton Sea transformed into a booming resort destination, attracting celebrities and tourists alike. It was known as “California’s Riviera” with luxury hotels, yacht clubs, and speedboat races. However, over time, agricultural runoff increased the water‘s salinity and pollution levels, causing massive fish and bird die-offs in the 1970s and 1980s. This drove away tourists and led to the abandonment of once-thriving communities around the Salton Sea.
Despite its troubled history, the Salton Sea remains an important ecological site and a fascinating time capsule of mid-century California optimism and subsequent environmental challenges. Today, it stands as a reminder of the consequences of human impact on the environment and the need for sustainable practices.
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
As you plan your visit to the Salton Sea, be sure to include the State Recreation Area in your itinerary. The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is still open on the northeastern side for various activities such as hunting, fishing, swimming, and camping.
Visitor Center and Essential Information
A must-stop on your visit is the Salton Sea State Park Visitors Center, where you can find comprehensive information on the history of the lake and its surroundings. The center is equipped with maps, guidebooks, and background information, making it an ideal starting point for your exploration.
Be aware that the Visitor Center operates seasonally, from Wednesdays to Sundays during peak season. You’ll need to budget for entrance fees: $7 for day use, which includes sightseeing, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching.
Camping and Recreation Opportunities
The recreation area offers several campgrounds with a total of 475 sites, ranging from primitive spots to full hookup facilities. If you plan to camp, it will cost $20 to access campsites, plus an additional $30 for RV hookups.
Despite the decline in water levels, which has eliminated boating opportunities, you can still enjoy fishing (catch and release is recommended due to water quality), bird watching from dedicated platforms, and hiking along the shoreline trails.
Bird Watching at Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge
As a critical stop on the Pacific Flyway, the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge attracts a diverse range of bird species. This refuge, named after the former Palm Springs mayor and singer, is a haven for bird enthusiasts.
Best Spots for Birding
The refuge offers several excellent spots for bird watching. You can visit the Visitor Center, which has a platform ideal for viewing birds. Additionally, the hiking trails that overlook the beach and lake provide panoramic views of the avian population. These spots are perfect for spotting a variety of bird species.
Species You Might Encounter
During your visit, you might spot remarkable species such as Black Skimmers, eared grebes, black-necked stilts, various pelican species, herons, ibis, and even the endangered Yuma clapper rail. The refuge’s five man-made “nursery islands” provide safe nesting places for these birds, making it an ideal location for bird watching.
To make the most of your bird-watching experience, remember to bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens. The best time to visit is during the winter months (November-February) when birds migrate to the Salton Sea area.
Exploring Bombay Beach
As you step into Bombay Beach, you’re immediately struck by the juxtaposition of neglect and creativity that defines this unique town. Once a thriving resort area, Bombay Beach has experienced a significant transformation over the years, evolving into a vibrant arts district.
A Town Reborn
The history of Bombay Beach is complex, marked by periods of prosperity and decline. From its heyday as a popular resort town to its current status as an emerging arts district, Bombay Beach has undergone a remarkable transformation. Artists have played a crucial role in this rebirth, converting abandoned structures into unique installations that now dot the landscape.
Some of the key highlights of Bombay Beach include:
- One of the most surreal and photogenic landscapes around the Salton Sea, transforming from a thriving resort area into a ghost town and now an emerging arts district.
- The infamous “land of sunken trailers” – an area that was flooded in the 1970s, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape of decay.
- A vibrant arts community, with the Bombay Beach Biennale adding new installations each year, ensuring that return visits will always reveal something new and unexpected.
Capturing the Essence of Bombay Beach
Photographers will find Bombay Beach to be a treasure trove of unique and captivating images. The town’s blend of decay and artistic rebirth offers countless opportunities to capture the complex story of this once-abandoned town’s transformation. Whether you’re drawn to the abandoned structures, the vibrant art installations, or the surreal landscapes, Bombay Beach is a place that will inspire your creativity.
To experience the best of Bombay Beach, be sure to visit the Bombay Beach Drive-In, a permanent fixture created during the annual Bombay Beach Biennale art event. You can also socialize with locals at the Ski Inn or the American Legion, the only two establishments where you can get food and drinks on this side of the sea.
Salton Sea (Southeast), California: Best Things to Do for Art Lovers
The Salton Sea area is a haven for art lovers, with its vibrant and eclectic art installations. As you explore this unique region, you’ll discover a blend of creativity and self-expression that is reflected in its various art forms.
Salvation Mountain
One of the most iconic art installations in the Salton Sea area is Salvation Mountain, a vibrant 50-foot hill created by Leonard Knight over 25 years. This incredible site is made from adobe clay, hay bales, and thousands of gallons of donated paint, featuring intricate biblical verses, flowers, waterfalls, and caves in a kaleidoscope of colors.
The mountain’s message “God Is Love” is visible from a distance, making it a pilgrimage site for art lovers worldwide. As you explore the site, you’ll discover the dedication and creativity that went into creating this unique art piece.
Slab City and East Jesus Art Installations
Just beyond Salvation Mountain lies Slab City, often referred to as “the last free place in America.” This off-grid community is built on the concrete slabs of an abandoned World War II Marine training base and is home to numerous art installations, including the whimsical “Sole Tree” and the “Gemstone Truck.”
Another must-visit art installation is East Jesus, an experimental and sustainable art space created by Charlie Russell. This labyrinth of sculptures made from discarded materials serves as both an artistic statement and a habitable space, reflecting the area’s spirit of creativity and innovation.
The entire Salton Sea area functions like a permanent Burning Man festival, with iron sculptures, hand-painted buildings, and interactive art pieces that change and evolve as different artists contribute to this desert community. Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture the stark contrast between the desert landscape and the explosion of color and creativity that defines these unique art installations.
Natural Wonders Around the Salton Sea
As you explore the Salton Sea, you’ll discover remarkable natural attractions that are off the beaten path. The area is home to unique geological formations that are a result of its complex history.
Volcanic Mud Pools and Mud Volcanoes
The Salton Sea area is known for its volcanic mud pools, which are connected to the Salton Buttes, a group of five volcanoes in California. These mud pools are a rare geological phenomenon, creating bubbling, gurgling mud formations that can shoot several feet into the air. To find these unique natural wonders, head to the intersection of Davis Road and Schrimpf Road on the southeast side of the Salton Sea, about a mile and a half from Mullet Island.
Exercise caution when visiting the mud pools as they are not fenced off, can be extremely hot due to their volcanic nature, and the surrounding ground may be unstable.
Dos Palmas Preserve
Just east of the Salton Sea, you’ll discover the hidden gem of Dos Palmas Preserve, a 1,400-acre oasis that sits more than 110 feet below sea level and follows the San Andreas Fault line. This lush preserve exists thanks to seismic activity that tapped into artesian springs, creating ponds and allowing for the growth of numerous fan palms.
The contrast between the harsh desert landscape and these unexpected natural wonders makes this area particularly special for nature lovers and photographers seeking unique landscapes. While exploring Dos Palmas, you might spot the prehistoric desert pupfish, a remarkable species that has survived in this region for over 11,000 years and is now protected as an endangered species.
Quirky Attractions Not to Miss
As you explore the Salton Sea, you’ll discover some truly one-of-a-kind attractions that are sure to leave a lasting impression. The area is home to a variety of unique spots that are worth visiting, and we’re excited to share them with you.
International Banana Museum
The International Banana Museum is one of the more unique Salton Sea attractions, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. This one-room museum holds the world record for the most banana-related merchandise, with over 25,000 items. You’ll get a good laugh visiting this quirky attraction, and you can even enjoy banana-themed treats like banana milkshakes and banana bread.
Be sure to check out the museum’s limited operating hours (Saturday-Sunday-Monday, 1:00-5:30 PM) and small admission fee, which is refunded if you purchase any merchandise from their extensive banana-themed gift selection.
North Shore Beach and Yacht Club
Don’t miss the beautifully restored North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, a mid-century modern masterpiece designed by renowned architect Albert Frey. This gorgeous building once hosted celebrities like the Beach Boys and the Marx Brothers during the Salton Sea’s heyday. The bright yellow façade of the yacht club stands in stark contrast to its surroundings, making it a must-visit attraction.
Image of North Shore Beach and Yacht Club
The restoration preserved many of Albert Frey’s original architectural features, including the nautical portholes and curved upper level. Although the Salton Sea History Museum that once occupied the building has closed, the structure itself remains a photogenic testament to the area’s glamorous past and is worth a visit for architecture enthusiasts.
These quirky attractions offer a perfect balance to the natural and artistic sites around the Salton Sea, adding elements of whimsy and historical perspective to your visit.
Practical Information for Your Visit
As you prepare for your trip to the Salton Sea, here are some practical tips to keep in mind. Visiting the Salton Sea can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some planning.
How to Get There
You can reach the Salton Sea from Palm Springs in less than an hour, making it a perfect day trip. From Los Angeles, take US-101 South and then CA-86 South towards Salton City, which takes you along the west side of the Salton Sea. If you’re traveling from San Diego, follow I-8 East, then CA-79 North to CA-78 East, which eventually connects to CA-86 along the west side of the lake.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Salton Sea depends on your interests. For bird watching and milder temperatures, visit during the winter months (November-February). For fishing, summer visits (June-September) are ideal, but be prepared for extreme heat.
Safety Tips and Considerations
When visiting the Salton Sea, be sure to bring plenty of water, wear sun protection, and wear sturdy shoes. Be aware that swimming is not recommended due to water quality concerns, and check for any algae bloom advisories before planning water activities.
| Activity | Best Time | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Bird Watching | Winter (Nov-Feb) | Bring binoculars |
| Fishing | Summer (Jun-Sep) | Stay hydrated, avoid extreme heat |
| Photography | Morning hours | Bring sunscreen, hat |
Conclusion
With its unique blend of natural wonders and artistic expression, the Salton Sea is a place like no other. As you’ve discovered, the Salton Sea area offers a multifaceted experience, from its fascinating history to its vibrant art districts. Despite its challenges, the lake remains a crucial habitat for birds and a testament to nature’s resilience. The transformation of towns like Bombay Beach into art hubs showcases the creativity of the residents. Whether drawn to its history, environmental significance, or beauty, a visit to the Salton Sea leaves a lasting impression.
