Surprisingly complete ode to the history of Imperial Valley, with both things to see inside and…read moreout. The museum is very large with two upstairs sections. Downstairs includes a history of the valley plus slices of the changing technology that helped make the west what it was. Nature and animal exhibits too, with stuffed animals. Upstairs one large section is devoted to the different ethnic groups who have settled in the valley and contributed to it, and another section includes antiques that made life easier through home improvement devices over the years. Works of well known Imperial Valley residents like author Harold Bell Wright are exhibited. Outside some farm devices and a parked few pieces of a train including its caboose. In all a very enjoyable experience with something for everyone. $10. per adult, $5. for students.

Good day for a couple laps around the park! Nice view with…read morewater area with ducks Friendly family park!

The Desert View Tower, built in the 1920's, offers a stunning view of the Anza Borrego Desert. It's…read morealso currently available on a short-term rental website listed as "Lighthouse in Jacumba, CA"! If you're driving by, it's worth a stop. Free to look around the grounds and giftshop; but there is a fee to climb to the top for the best and most expansive view ($9.50 as of this writing). The tower is next to "Boulder Park" featuring some truly hideous sculptures created by an unemployed engineer during the depression. The boulders are much more notable for what may be cupules created by Native Americans, cups that are carved out of rock as part of ceremonies and rituals. A smattering of animals live on the grounds including chickens and peacocks. Free parking.

I've been trying to figure out what to write about this fun little stop an hour east of San Diego…read more It's a wonderful piece of history and definitely worth exploring. My husband and I enjoyed our visit quite a bit. We paid the fee to climb to the top of the tower and go exploring the boulders on the property as well. The tower interior is home to a magical shop full of antiques and second-hand treasures. The boulders next to the tower are fun to explore and have lots of animals painted onto the boulders in the shapes of various animals. As you can tell we really enjoyed our visit BUT... The one road in and out of the Desert View Tower property is absolutely littered on both sides with (maybe) abandoned motor homes, shanties, and whole collections of god-only-knows-what! And the road itself is like driving on the surface of the moon. I felt like I was driving into a scene of "The Hills Have Eyes" (kids ask your Gen X parents about that one). Seriously... I thought we might be murdered and eaten! But if you're feeling brave, come well-armed, and are willing to pop a tire and ruin your suspension, it's a GREAT place to visit!

Such a great children's museum. We brought my 5 and 2 year old here when we were visiting family in…read moreImperial a few years ago, and they had a blast. It is really great for all ages.. the adults had just as much fun as the kids. Lots of fun things to do, see and learn about. Some of my kids' favorite exhibits were the bubble area, massive pin wall, art spin crafts, vertical slide, and light brite wall. They also have a separate play room geared for younger children. I would absolutely recommend taking your children here.

I'm giving this 4 stars but wish it could be 4.5 (and they could easily reach 5 stars). This…read moremuseum is very centrally located in Centro Civico, right next to Liverpool. There is plenty of free parking. It is a large lot that has both indoor and outdoor exhibits and an IMAX theater indoors. We unfortunately arrived too late in the day to check out the IMAX. It was very deserted, even on a Saturday. The outdoor exhibits focus on trains, flora/fauna and colors/shapes. There is plenty of outdoor space for eating and relaxing. There is also a large lawn area, where they were having birthday party (looked fun!) and I believe they rent the entire museum after hours for weddings, events, 15eras, etc....The inside has all kinds of science and daily living exhibits. There is also a large maker space where kids can create (there is a second art space in the dark exhibit section as well). There is a rock climbing wall, a huge lighted fountain and an orbiter ride in addition to many interactive stations (bubbles, life size chess etc...) It is fun for the whole family. There is also a very high catwalk (I don't recommend this if you are afraid of heights, It is very high and not the sturdiest but fun!). All the attendants are very enthusiastic as well. So why no five stars? 1. Many of the exhibits were broken or partially broken 2. The gift shop needs to get in items for older kids, they have a captive audience but it's mainly little kids coloring books 3. the food is horrible!!! overpriced, overcooked and didn't taste good at all. This was a great outing. Oh one final note they do NOT have A/C they have big fans and the day we went (in mid October) was moderate enough that it wasn't an issue but you may want to go early in the morning if you are going in the summer!

Galetta Meadows was one of the most unexpected art experiences I've ever had. It's pretty magical…read more You're basically driving through the desert and you suddenly come face to face with a 350 foot serpent or a herd of wild horses, mammoths, scorpions and on and on and on. The massive metal sculptures are scattered across the desert landscape in the area and are free to explore. It's almost like a treasure hunt. You drive from installation to installation looking for silhouettes in the distance hoping to see more. At one of our first stops, I met a couple of gentlemen who were working on a comic book inspired by the sculptures. They were taking photographs and had lots of information so it was really helpful. All that being said, I did have a particularly terrible experience that was exclusive to me and has nothing to do with the installations themselves, so I'm not reflecting it in the rating. However, it's a good cautionary tale for anyone reading these reviews. There are signs everywhere that tell you where you can and cannot drive and I was in a particularly large vehicle headed down a one-way stretch of road that had signs along the side that said not to pull off. There was a four-wheel drive vehicle coming towards me and my husband commented that it had appeared as if they almost didn't make it across a dip in the road. When they approached our car, they motioned to me to roll the window down and the driver proceeded to tell me that there was no way that my car was going to make it through. He confirmed that he almost did not make it himself and told me that I would need to turn around. Unfortunately, when I tried to do that, I got stuck in the sand. It was terrible and I felt like an idiot. I tried to dig myself out but my car was just too big and didn't have four-wheel drive. It's hot in the desert so after about a half an hour I called for a tow to pull me back the 30 ft to the main road. They wanted me to wait 3 hours and said it would be $2,500 to send someone out. So yeah, it was easily the worst experience of my trip and embarrassing to write about, but hopefully someone else can learn from my mistakes. Watch the signs, follow the designated paths, respect the terrain and if you have any doubt at all, just walk. That said, don't let my misadventure scare you away. Just be cautious and you'll have an incredible time driving around the desert. Looking at these enormous works of art against the red clay and blue sky is just as unforgettable as getting stuck in the sand.

A must-see if you're in the area. The artist, Ricardo Breceda, was commissioned to create these…read morestatues in situ. Admission is free and each set of sculptures are located in different areas. A map is available on line to make sure you don't miss any! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190910471684613837/ The serpent is probably the most famous sculpture (and rightly so) but the others are also amazing in their detail. Truly unique works of art and 100% free!

This was a quick stop for me before heading to Bombay Beach. It's near Slab City, and as you drive…read morethrough the area and start seeing all the RVs around, you can immediately feel the energy shift a little :) After hearing about this place from the movie ases on a true story, Into the Wild and living in San Diego for so long, I finally decided to check it out. I was honestly impressed by how well maintained everything was. I technically arrived after hours around 6pm, but there was still a volunteer there who gave a short introduction about the history of the place, which I appreciated. As I walked up the mountain, I was surprised by how clean everything was and how bright and vibrant the paint still looked, so huge credit to the volunteers who keep it looking this way. I was even given a free postcard on my way out, which was a nice little touch. I probably wouldn't make a full trip out here just for this alone, but pairing it with a visit to the Salton Sea or Bombay Beach is definitely worth it. I also love that it's completely free so no tickets or entrance fee needed.

I did a long weekend trip to Palm Desert with the goal of visiting the Salton Sea. Originally, I…read moreplanned to loop the entire shoreline, but after talking with a ranger at the visitor center, I stuck to the east side and doubled back, which was definitely the right call. Our turnaround point was Salvation Mountain, right next to Slab City. Before going, I had read about Leonard Knight and the story behind the mountain, which honestly made the visit more meaningful. The dedication and message behind it are almost as interesting as the site itself. It is kind of amazing that the structure still stands today and is in such solid condition. The drive out was mostly fine, though hot and dusty, especially on a Saturday afternoon. I would recommend going earlier in the day if possible. The mountain itself looked better maintained than I expected. The colors were bright, and it was clear that ongoing work is being done to preserve it. I left a small donation since it felt like a meaningful effort to support. That said, it did not fully resonate with me. While I can appreciate the effort and story, the style of art and the surrounding environment did not quite click. If you are into outsider art or off grid communities, you will probably get more out of it than I did. The biggest downside is the immediate setting. Being next to Slab City definitely impacts the experience. The vibe felt a bit uncomfortable at times, and we did not stay long or continue on to East Jesus. Overall, I am glad I visited. It is unique, and the story behind it adds depth, but it is more of a one time stop for me than a place I would go out of my way to revisit. 3 stars.

This is a lovely art institute! It's in the heart of the town, close to restaurants, hotels and…read morecampgrounds. So it's great to visit when going out for the day. The staff are helpful and friendly. They welcome you with a friendly smile and greet. There are some gift items available made by local artists. I did not leave empty handed. I purchased a calendar with beautiful nature shots and some greeting cards with nature photos. The museum is just the right size for a short walkthrough. A lot of great artists. Some pieces are very unique, just like people. I would love to return if ever back in town.

If you are ever in Borrego, you must visit this incredible place where local artists are displayed…read moreand there is a great selection of pottery and hand painted notecards and jewelry for sale as well as original paintings. There are books by local residents and a member of the nonprofit group is minding the space so you can ask questions about the artists while you're there. It's right across the street from the Circle and there's plenty of parking and restaurants in the same area. A great place to spend a few hours after your morning hike!! I recommend eating at Jilbertos for lunch and then Calico's or the Fushe factory for dessert !

We enjoyed this museum…read more It's located about 50 minutes east of Palm Dessert or about an hour east of Palm Springs. This privately run and funded museum touches on al aspects of General George Patton's life, from childhood, school, military life and his death. It also touches on and is sited near the Desert Training Facility that trained 100,000 US troops before they went to fight in Africa. The museum is well done and flows "okay". There are many displays full of photos, artifacts, plaques and notes. There's a large room with a lot of war-era artifacts. Some of them are scale models. There is a large outdoor yard with tanks and other heavy military vehicles and artillery. I wasn't able to figure out how to get into that fenced space but I took a few pictures of it from outside the fence. If you follow military history and enjoy museums like this, you'll enjoy the General Patton Memorial Museum.

Great little museum we hit on our way to Palm Springs! My husband got a little bit of discount for…read morebeing a senior citizen. Definitely worth checking out.Friendly staff!

I'd been wanting to visit the Salton Sea and check out some of its famous spots. Bombay Beach was…read morehigh on the list. Rolling south from Palm Desert on a Saturday, we arrived around 11 AM. Right at the entrance, there was a shade tent with a guy trying to sell $5 parking for an art festival happening that weekend. I politely passed. My goal was the Ski Inn for a cold one, and honestly, it was blazing hot, not the day to wander the dusty town. The vibe was surreal. It felt like a mini Burning Man. Ironics were roaming around town in their get-ups, hanging out at RVs and Rivians. There was an overall strange mix of art and chaos. Bombay Beach itself is pretty rough around the edges. There was lots of "art" mixed in with junk and debris. I snapped some photos and wandered the playa, or whatever they call it here. Some pieces were interesting. My favorite was the Elon Musk installation. Eventually, I made it to the Ski Inn, a classic tourist dive bar hangout. I grabbed a cold beer, did a bit of people-watching, and soaked in the scene before heading out. BTW, same place Anthony Bourdain visited sometime around 2006/7 filming his show "No Reservations." Bombay Beach is definitely an oddball destination. Not sure if I would recommend roaming around when there is a big festival, but it has its quirky charm. I would like to return when it is a bit calmer, though honestly, it may just be a spot to experience briefly rather than linger. 3.5 stars

We were spending a week in Palm Springs, and as a lover of street art, when I read about Bombay…read moreBeach, I had to come see it! It is a very surreal experience to say the least. We parked in the town and walked around, as many of the properties have artwork on them as well. Then you have to crest a little hill to actually see the beach. There are things to see all over the beach, it just depends how far you like to walk. Definitely bring shoes that can get mucky, as the sand can be wet and sloppy. It was a super unique experience, and we were glad to do it. You are definitely out in an area with little or no retail, gas stations, restaurants, etc. so be prepared for that.

I have seen this place from the I-8 freeway over the years as I drove across into Arizona. While…read moreworking in the area I made the trek over and visited! They have a big gift shop with random knick-knacks. You pay $10 to explore the grounds which includes a tiny chapel on elevated mound of earth, a replica of a chapel in Brittany, France. They also have a beautiful display of granite blocks carved out like an encyclopedia of just about all kinds of things! Such an interesting place I definitely recommend you check out!

It was really a lot more than I thought it would be. Beautiful engraved granite, a maze, and the…read moreCenter of the Word Certificate. It was fun and had a lot of unique things to see. I highly recommend it for the history alone.

Visited 4/29/2019 Wow…read moreThis is a great little roadside attraction at the Salton Sea. Run by the owner they don't open till 12:30 AM. The owner drives a bright yellow banana color Camaro that will be parked out front. Everything about this place spells bananas with lots of souvenirs to be had and other little knickknacks that the owner has collected over the years. He also serves several different ice cream's including, you guessed it, Banana Ice Cream, I have heard that the banana chocolate shakes are amazing but have as of yet not tried one myself. Next visit. He charges a $1.00 a head to come in and take pictures. Spend as much time as you're like there is plenty of little things to look at. All in all this isn't a bad little attraction to spend a little hour of your time. Enjoy.

The International Banana Museum is definitely a unique experience and a must visit, if you're…read morepassing along the infamous Salton Sea area. The couple that owns the establishment are very friendly! The price for admission is $1, but will be waived with a purchase. The place was once a bar that belonged to the owner's family, until he turned it into the Banana Museum it is now. They have some Banana flavored ice cream/shakes and other treats or other various assortments of souvenirs and knick-knacks. I wouldn't recommend traveling 30+ miles just to go to this place alone, but if that's what you are into, go for it! We visited while traveling back from Salvation Mountain & East Jesus. Please do call ahead! We got there at around 1:30pm and the place was still closed, but the owners happened to arrive as we were about to leave. So we got lucky!