Palm Springs is known for its upscale bistros, gorgeous resorts, friendly people, and of course the palm lined streets and even colored doors.
However, did you realize there are some treasures just outside of town for day trips that many SoCal residents don’t even know about?
Let’s hope they’ve been to Joshua Tree, one of my favorite places, but there’s also the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Julian. So let’s dive in. After filling up your gas tank and grabbing some sunblock and bottles of water, of course.
Take a drive southeast about an hour from Palm Springs, closer if you are coming from one of the other desert cities nearby, and you’ll end up at a very unusual location.
The Salton Sea.
This sea was created in 1905 accidentally, by the flooding of the Colorado River that broke through the irrigation controls. By the mid 1900’s, “The Salton Riviera” it was set to become the hottest vacation spot for Hollywood Elite, including the likes of the Beach Boys, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, reportedly. Resorts, a yacht club, vacation homes, and communities were built around areas of it.
By the 1970s, it was noticed that the level of the sea was decreasing rapidly due to lack of natural water flow (from sky or river) replenishing it. Along with this, it became increasingly salty, killing off the fish, creating toxic air for the few remaining residents that didn’t bail as much of the area did. It is considered the single greatest environmental disaster of California. Although it is a major migratory bird destination, the only fish that thrive in these waters is tilapia. Which makes me rethink one of my favorite fish 🤔 I mean, I knew it was a bottom feeder, but…
How to visit this eerie, surreal landscape; a photographer’s dream?
We found the best place to explore was Bombay Beach, but please check online at parks.ca.gov to see what is open and what isn’t before you venture out. Keep in mind, this place is Very Hot!, so this Seattle family found that even in April, we couldn’t be outside much, as it was 95 degrees, hence the water and sunblock tip above!
When you arrive at Bombay Beach, there is the iconic billboard sign that sadly shows what once was. Hitting the “town” you won’t find a grocery store, but you will find that about 250 people live here (far cry from the 0.5 million people that used to visit the area annually). They have to drive 40 miles to even get groceries!
There are mostly trailers, and half the homes look abandoned. So what’s the tourist draw? I’m not suggesting you set up camp and enjoy a week here by any means, but stop to drive around the homes, which has become a bit of an artist haven, and please be respectful that these are people’s homes.
Enjoy the quirky art – such as the house with a few dozen televisions set up outside, all painted and colorfully decorated, graffiti covering a lot of the abandoned buildings, and an airplane lifted 1 story above and decorating one person’s yard.
Park by the beach (actually on the beach) and get out on foot and walk along the shore. There’s a bit of creepy, eerie vibe as the wind blows, the smell of rotted fish in the air, with the crunch under your feet of the carcasses of fish. LOL, I’m really selling it aren’t I?😂 Can’t help it, I love the wacky and weird, and this place takes the cake.
It also made for some gorgeous photos of my kiddo exploring. At one point you can see an old swing set in the water….can’t quite explain that one? But my husband and I had a good laugh of the convenience of the old couches on the beach to watch your kids from.
Artists have set up some interesting structures you can walk around (please don’t attempt to climb on anything), such as the pirate ship, a junkyard dragon in the sand, and a little shed structure (might be the only house we can afford in California?).
Take some time to explore a bit of the odd and wonderful. I didn’t get a good pic that showed the actual fish carcasses still intact on the beach, but you can google some great pics from others, or once I get back there, I will update this post. I must get that photo😉
Next up…..Salvation Mountain
About 25-30 mins Southeast from Bombay Beach is yet another quirky spot completely worth stopping at if you’ve traveled this far with me from the palm lined streets and oasis of your luxury pool in Palm Springs. This is Salvation Mountain: One man’s quest to show the world that God is Love, and Leonard Knight has created something that will go down in history as a passionate display of artistic beauty and devotion to the Lord.
He has painted (and repainted, and layered and painted again) over the years, this 50ft high, 150ft wide “mountain” of bright, colorful, scripture laden, flower filled, large cross at the top tribute, that is photographer’s paradise.
There’s even the paint cans in display. When I look back at my photos, I see something different each time. Its a magical, peaceful place; reverent even. Besides the colorful mountain to explore (you can walk on some areas) and get those great selfies at, there is also a few vehicles and a swinging bench painted with the same adoration.
Tip: There’s a small convenience store in Niland (the town closest to Salvation Mountain) to pick up water, snacks, etc.
From here I suggest you go to Anza-Borrego State Park and Julian. In another post, we will explore these.
