Once upon a time there was this radio preacher, back in the '40s, who promised a "healing resort" for those sick, particularly with TB. The dry desert air and Jesus would fix you up good. Well, one day the man came down on this guy for not paying taxes (about '74 or so) and seized Zzyzx, eventually giving it to the State of California who gave it to the CSU system where you can take classes on desert plants and animals, astronomy, and ice-age lakes (yes Virginia, the Mojave was wet back then). The coolest thing about this place to me (and it's hard to choose really) is that they feed you really f*ing well. You're out in the sand and sun learning for hours until you're dead beat and waiting for the buzzards but they take you back here and feed you with a heroes feast of whatever you can stomach. My god this place is great. After that wander around, check out the old theraputic pools, the baths, the saunas. Sit out and look at Baker at night and see that huge fricking thermometer. And whatever you do, go here when the moon is full. You're right by the dry bed of Soda Lake and all that salt glows bright white when the moon is full, it's crazy, totally crazy but absolutely beautiful. read more