Interesting experience I felt really unsettled by it though. The welcome guy at the visitor center…read morewas very friendly and a nice guy. It was about 116 degrees when we went so we were the only tourists there and all the gift shops were closed. There was one guy you could clearly tell was high on something hard he was emaciated and didn't have a shirt was hanging out by the welcome center. The welcome guy was worried that guy was going to break into his trailer so he left in a hurry to make sure. I hope he and his trailer are ok. The art was cool but idk if I would recommend going there especially with kids or all female group like us.

How do you rate a place like this? I have seen YouTube videos about Slab City and knew when I was…read morein the area, I wanted to see it for myself. It is definitely a depressing place, in my opinion. I could never survive in a place with no water, electricity, sewage, etc. I know most probably live here because there is no other option. Some of the videos I watch people choose to live here because there is basically no laws, it's free, and nobody bothers them. **The docent at Salvation Mountain, right next to it, said the people who live in Slab City are never an issue with them and cause no problems. So there is a positive! 7/29/26

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.

- It's about a 2hr detour if you stop here on your way back to LA from JT…read more- Make sure you've got enough gas to reach the Salton Sea and get back to the freeway - Don't drive your car in the sand, there might be nails What a wild little side quest to go on while on the way back from Joshua Tree. The place is overflowing with bizarre, fascinating art installations, like a surreal desert gallery that never closes, and always changing. Hard to believe people still call this forgotten stretch of sand home, but mad respect to them. Wandering through this "dead" desert town while surrounded by the art hits on a deeper level, it's haunting, creative, and oddly moving all at once. It stirred up this weird mix of melancholy and awe in me, seeing the creativity of the artists really contrasts with the skeleton of a town. 1000% recommend swinging by the Ski Inn for a drink. It's the perfect cap (or start) to the experience. Also, definitely get here way before sundown, so you have plenty of daylight. We got in around 3pm and it was perfect with a 5pm stop at Ski Inn right before leaving. If you're curious about the backstory, there are some incredible documentaries on YouTube that unpack the strange history here. Highly recommend diving in before or after your visit, it makes the whole place even more surreal.

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

Borrego Springs is one of my favorite places. It definitely is a far drive out from the Southern…read moreCalifornia area and the weather was very warm in the summer. However, it was absolutely worth it because the night sky is so breathtaking. The Milky Way at Borrego Springs is truly unreal and it's so hard to describe, you just have to really see it in person. I really loved all the sculptures and being to admire them during the day and under the night sky. Highly recommend experiencing Borrego Springs once in your lifetime!

The Galleta sculptures are a disorganized, worn out set of sculptures spread out across miles of…read moreone of Borrego Springs valleys. The sculptures themselves need upkeep (lots of bird poop on them) and a simple map on site guiding you to their location would be helpful but it doesn't exist. Drove miles on unpaved roads looking for structures that would stand out and did it prior to sundown (as recommended) but it just made it even harder to find them. Sunset shots as they described were not all that spectacular although now that I've been there I would definitely visit either in the early morning hours or late afternoon when the heat is not so overwhelming. Definitely not worth seeing unless you're in the area. Disappointing.

Out of the way, in the middle of nowhere, smelly, dusty...muddy…read more But I still like it here. The birds like it, too. This area is changing due to the intractable drought and the water level keeps dropping. Winter time is better IMO because the weather is more hospitable for walking and the winter migrants come to play. However, last time I was here, the snow geese seemed much more scarce and I only heard the sandhill cranes, not getting a glimpse of them. At the main visitor station, there's good parking and the Rock Hill trail is very easy. You need to walk the trail to get to the water and see some shore birds. The trail ends at the top of a hill (not difficult) where you get a unique birds eye view of the area. However, if you hang out at the visitor center at the parking lot, you have a good chance of spotting quails and other birds, as they keep feeders hanging from trees in the vicinity. Unit 1 should not be missed for birding either - that's where you'll have access to wetlands. It can be pretty muddy there so wear appropriate shoes. If you like landscape photography, there's a lot of interesting, weird spots all around the sea, within the refuge and outside of it, to grab your interest. You'll need to explore the area, however, to find these locations and it's better if you have a high clearance vehicle, as many roads here are not paved. Beware of all the mud if there were recent rains, both on the roads and on trails.

We visited the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge toward the end of March and…read moreunfortunately the timing did not work in our favor. It was already around 100 degrees, which made it too hot to venture out toward the lake. My son loves bird photography and uses a telephoto lens, so we were hoping to see more wildlife. Instead, we mostly stayed near the visitor center area. We did spot quite a few adorable cottontail bunnies resting in the shade. They dig little shallow pockets in the cool dirt, which was fun to watch. There were also a few birds chirping and some doves, but overall not much activity. The visitor center itself is small but nice and worth a quick stop. From what I have heard, this area can be amazing for migratory birds, but we did not see many during our visit. I am guessing earlier in the year or during the winter would be a much better time to go. It is also pretty out of the way, so not somewhere you will just casually swing by. Overall, it was an okay visit, but I would definitely plan for a cooler season next time. 3 stars

The Tumco Historic Site is an abandoned gold mining town and is historic for being one of the…read moreearliest gold mining areas in California. It'd history spanned some 300 years, with periods of boom and bust. Over 200,000 ounces of gold was taken from the mines in the area, unfortunately, none in my pockets when we were there. We went out to see the area just to get out of the house during the quarantine. It's the perfect area to be pretty much alone to hike, talk short walks, look at spring flowers and see the remnants of an old gold mine. The good news is that it's a not a long drive off Hwy. 8. If you have some time, it could be a fun place for you to explore. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes and scorpions that roam the desert.

What a great place to camp (we stayed for a week). It can be quite windy so be prepared for that,…read morebut the historical hike is so nice. Don't get me wrong most things have disappeared through the 300 or so years but you can still make out where things would have been. It's a very beautiful area with great hiking. And, plenty of space for our RV so we're well away from others if we wanted to be.

Yep, that's right! International banana museum, with banana paraphernalia everywhere!…read more Once you pay your entrance fee of $1/person, you are free to explore the whole museum. Take pictures with a banana head or grab yourself a banana shake. Expect to spend about 30 minutes in the museum itself. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth it to spot by and check it out! There is plenty of parking outside the museum. Check ahead for business hours.

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.

East Jesus is an extraordinary art installation and off-grid community located in the remote desert…read moreof California's Slab City. Born out of the spirit of creativity and self-expression, it has evolved into a unique testament to human imagination and resourcefulness. The origins of East Jesus can be traced back to the late 1990s when Charlie Russell, an artist and visionary, first settled in Slab City. Slab City, a former military base, became a haven for individuals seeking an alternative lifestyle away from the constraints of mainstream society. Inspired by the countercultural movement and the concept of repurposing discarded materials, Russell envisioned a place where art and sustainability could coexist. Over time, East Jesus grew organically, attracting like-minded artists, activists, and individuals seeking a communal space for creativity. The community's name is a playful nod to the phrase "middle of nowhere," reflecting its remote location and eccentric nature. The artists of East Jesus repurpose salvaged materials to create whimsical and thought-provoking sculptures that dot the landscape. These installations often address social, political, and environmental themes, challenging visitors to question the world around them. The people of East Jesus embrace a DIY ethos, relying on solar power, rainwater harvesting, and composting systems for their basic needs. The community values self-reliance, sustainability, and artistic freedom, fostering an environment that encourages experimentation and collaboration. The only last thing I want to mention is that I don't believe that East Jesus is the right place for a woman to travel to ... alone. (just a word to the wise) I will be back .. to experience more ... with a friend of course.

Amazing apocalyptic art in such a unique desert environment. Had a great time walking around and…read moreseeing so much artistic talent. One of a kind place. Other art and events to check out nearby as well. Definitely a must see and well worth the trip.

I agree with most of the Yelpers... this is a pretty weird place…read more Came in with my wife not really knowing what to expect. Parked and walked in amd noticed there was nobody around. It was really eerie. So my wife decided to give the office a call. She spoke to Felicia who was very friendly and welcoming. She gave us a quick tour and had is watch an informative video which made a bit more sense in terms of what this place was all about. Within minutes we made our way to the Puramid which why we stopped in the first place. We stepped on the center of the world, made a wish and received an official certificate. Afterwards, we made our way to the chapel on the hill. It provides a great view of the museum of granite and the pyramid. Lots of information is etched into the granite. You can't possibly read it all in one visit. There is also a maze. We didn't make it in as it was over 100 degrees! Was it worth the price of admission? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes, but probably when it is cooler. If we ever find ourselves here again, I'll make it a point to read everything.

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!

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!