Abandoned resort towns. Off-beat desert art. Lawless societies.

Southern California’s Salton Sea is a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles, yet the communities near this salty body of water resemble that of a different world.

And different – or ‘strange’ – is a beautiful thing.

tv art salton sea — Slab City’s Wall of TV’s in East Jesus is one of the most photographed exhibits near the Salton Sea.

Wondering about the best sights to see in this otherworldly ghost town?

This article covers the raw and real account of our 2-day adventure to the desert, including my favorite things to do in the Salton Sea area, from Bombay Beach to Salvation Mountain.

While the summers swell over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the Sonoran Desert, the winters bring adventurers out to the dry land for unabashed living, free to roam independently.

steampunk art on back of trailer — Finding hidden steampunk art was one of my favorite things to do in the creative district.

We left our urban home of San Diego at dawn and made it to the desert early for some quiet time and uncrowded photos.

Though we didn’t scour every single corner during the weekend, here are my favorite things to do near the mystical Salton Sea.

standing in the wind during desert sunrise — Getting up for a sunrise photoshoot was absolutely worth it.

1. Stroll the Legendary Salvation Mountain

Colorful Dr. Seuss vibes dazzle Salvation Mountain out in Imperial County’s desert.

The biblical mountain was built by the late Leonard Knight who spent over 20 years building and painting the structure out of his pickup truck in the unforgiving desert.

The first hymn-covered hill he constructed actually collapsed after 4 years of work because it was built on sand.

Afterward, he carefully started over, saying it was God’s will for him to share these messages despite the obstacles. His handiwork demonstrates perseverance and dedication, reminding me of the Old Testament story of Noah’s Ark.

views of salvation mountain — Lots and lots and lots of paint.

I’m thankful Leonard never gave up on his life’s work, as his writings of love and hope shine vividly today.

Note: Part of the hill was under construction and not fully open when we visited.

2. View trash-turned-treasure in Slab City

I admit it felt a bit uneasy to be stepping foot in the lawless land of Slab City for the first time.

Just a quick hop and a skip down the road from Salvation Mountain lies the unincorporated boondocks of Slab City, the modern day village where retirees, nomads and snowbirds have gathered for decades in the Southern California desert.

But the first thing we saw as we drove up the main road in our bright sedan eased our nervous qualms.

art car slab city — Everything is art in Slab City, home to the alternative souls.

We were welcomed by a young woman playing banjo on a couch near the main entrance to the community. Her platinum locks and puffy princess dress stood out from what looked like a crowd tailgating on the side of the road, or an RV park version of a neighborhood block party.

The town’s moniker refers to the concrete slabs that remain left over from a World War II military base, now inhabited by squatters.

3. Ponder the East Jesus exhibit

Striking. Resourceful. Beautiful.

The ever-changing East Jesus exhibit on the edge of Slab City is a gallery of treasures crafted from another’s trash.

Old vehicles become furry creatures, televisions transform into blank canvases for hand-painted messages, and tourists’ forgotten water bottles hang together for an art piece.

Contrasting with the whimsical pieces, a Black Lives Matter section a la 2020 rendered me speechless. The last words from Black men and women before they were murdered by police both haunted and moved me.

black lives matter exhibit in salton sea

black lives matter salton sea exhibit — Honestly, viewing the Black Lives Matter exhibit was the most memorable things I did in the Salton Sea area.

4. Spot the Salton Sea Sculptures

Along the Salton Sea, lonely swings and shapely sculptures perch along toxic waters.

With no drainage, the sediment of surrounding sand oversalted the manmade sea, producing a deadly graveyard for fish and plants.

However, there are special nuances to the sea, despite the sulfuric smell.

Sunrises glow out of the water, something us Californians never experience on the Pacific Coast.

Antique furniture, doorways to nowhere, and anonymous transcripts left us smiling. I felt at home and at Burning Man at the same time.

5. Visit the Ghost Town Resort: Bombay Beach

Salton Sea actually used to be swimmable. Bombay Beach, now a ghost town, brought celebrities in the 1950s like Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys, and even offered fishing and boating.

After the sea turned toxic in the 1970s, the town emitted a post-apocalyptic energy, cluttered with remnants of what was once before.

Though most visitors we saw simply drove through without stopping, we strolled around the hot desert town to find anomalies like upside down airplanes, mannequin scarecrows and a lot of displaced items on roofs.

6. Stay at the Zig Zag House

We stayed overnight at the Zig Zag House in Bombay Beach, thanks to our gracious host named Tao.

zig zag house salton sea — Photo by Kirsten Pastel

Apparently, it’s a Pinterest-made-popular house since tourists were getting out of their cars to take photos of the puzzling-patterned trailer during our stay.

We met individuals from all over who had come to take photos… including some of us!

I loved the charming red vibes inside the Zig Zag House, and all the enchanting elements of the exterior.

7. Sneak in the Drive-In

Is it a theater? A junkyard? Or a captivating art piece?

The Bombay Beach Drive-in left me with many questions.

I presume moviegoers left their vintage buggies a long time ago, and a new wave of artists decorated each car, mixing contemporary creations with nostalgia.

Either way, you’ll want to watch your step.

8. Shoot the Estates

This doo-wop turned hipster town would not be complete without an array of abandoned buildings that any street photographer would salivate over.

The Bombay Beach Estates stand out, however, with the addition of the World’s Shittiest Museum.

Like a decrepit art house, the ‘museum’ showcases a crass theme in every room.

A putrid lime green room satirizes the phrase Cleanliness is Godliness with toilet brushes tantalizing the décor.

In other quarters, somber sayings sprayed on walls punch you in the gut with raw emotion.

* * *

In today’s days post-pandemic, this trip was a fantastic getaway for those interested in ghost towns or provoking art. All activities here were free, but you can donate with cash (or other treats) if you like at some of the exhibits.

The air out in Imperial County was eerily quiet at first, but grew peaceful as we stayed longer. This was probably for the best, considering social distancing.

While a bit risky heading out in the middle of nowhere, we met several kind folks who seemed like they sought to escape mainstream reality for a reason.