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.

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

While visiting an old Army buddy in SoCal, it turned out that there was a Patton tank museum about…read morean hour away from his place. After meeting up, we trekked out to visit the museum. Located at exit 173 on I-10 on the way to Arizona, the Patton museum is located on the outskirt of Joshua Tree National Park and the WWII-era Desert Training Center that GEN Patton founded to train tank crews for the North African battlefields. Admission for veterans was $17, not bad. The museum consists of indoor exhibits and outdoor displays. The indoor displays covers Patton's personal history, World War II timeline, and special exhibits such as women in the military, the Nazi "Final Solution," Korean War Medal of Honor recipients, and WWII-era individual weapons. The outdoor exhibits included at least 3 of the 4 U.S. Army tanks named after General Patton, and numerous other vehicles including some from our time in the Army. Probably the best and most interesting exhibit was the M60A1 tank with its turret separated from the chassis. It was great to be able to look at the interior and see its tight dimensions for its crew of four and all the gear. And listening to my buddy (whose Army job was maintaining tank and other armament) explain the specifics of working on the tank cannon. The museum is small but complete. Glad I got a chance to check it out. If you're in the area, it's a good 2-3 hour detour- recommend.

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!

Little jewel off the beaten path... Don't know about the history, but this makes for a whimsical…read morespot that your camera will love. As frozen still waiting to be discovered, these vehicles idle still as if waiting for their owners to return back with popcorn at intermission during double features. The age group of those attending is a guess if you're trying to profile by vehicle type... Enjoy this feature!

Amazing place, it was so Damm hot outside tho. Good drinks good food service was good too will be…read morecoming back in the much cooler seasons. Thanks.

Oh, this is such a fun place. During our photo masterclass I took my participants here for lunch…read moreand dinner - every day. Great food, good service and a very unique, appealing ambiance. So why only four out of five stars then? It is mandatory in my rating scheme that I would be willing to do a 30+ min detour just to dine or drink here, and as much as I loved the place: that would be a tad too much to ask. So if in the area and have a craving for a great burger, fries and a beer: you will be very very happy here.

Trying to get my way to this wonderful place, reading stories of the gold diggers club.read more

This place is 'Da Bomb" !…read more Kinda disappointed to see this on Yelp, cuz it has long been a local's secret...but hey, its a great experience... Pros: the creator is known out here as "Radio Mike" cuz he is the Mix Master! He finds the most unusual and rocking music... and plays it using only Solar power charged batteries! Yes, Really! This is an Off the Grid Fri night Party happening! Local Musicians show up and take turns playing their music around a campfire...peeps hang out by the Tiki Bar with their own booze that they bring and share with friends...(BYOB) Head Hunter's Lounge is Friendly, Lively and Really Hip! Cons: If you set up camp right next to him and want peace and quiet on Fri nights to watch your satellite TV, it will be a little noisy...so plan on camping somewhere else if that is your thing...or plan on joining the party every Fri night! Here is a short article that tells you more about this cool cat: http://www.slab-city.com/slab_city_artist_mike/ PS...This happens from about end of Oct or early Nov to April/May depending on when he comes out here to set up camp. Closed during the Hot Summers, cuz, ya know, its the desert!

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.