Bombay Beach

What happened to the Salton Sea?

There's an armageddon land. Once an oasis for the stars. They love to say, "Sinatra's hangout". Dude got around... Now, it's a post-apocalyptic barren wasteland that may or may not be inhabited. A fading sea and rumors of litium beneath.

Just outside of Palm Springs...

I've been wanting to visit the Salton Sea ever since I heard that the Lopiccolo family had land here. My Grandparents had both passed away, and my Grandma being the heir of the property had the land title to give to whoever wanted it. I wanted it! Shoot! Land anywhere for my generation, I"ll take it!

 On the weekends, my mom and her family would go there. Mom recalls stories of her Dad and brothers fishing there. Swimming. Water-skiing. Sicilian fishermen run in family. It was even Sunny and Cher's hangout. A golden place of California's past.

On a trip to Palm Springs, my family and I set apart a 1/2 day to visit The Salton Sea and what we saw was astonishing:

Wow.

Fresh water flow here no more.

That's not what I was expecting. Not at all.

I just wonder: Who lived here? Where did they go? & Why?

Outside the fading sea shores, it's dry, arid desert land. Just looking at it makes me thirsty. There are many strange things left behind: Trailers. Teddy Bears. Houses with cars inside. The good news is that I hear birds and see one random cat.

Now, there's a bar with 3 cars parked out front Bombay Beach. There's a Visitor's Center for the Salton Sea. Remnants of an oasis remain with a pocket of life on the other side of the sea. On the edge of town, there's a gas station, and of all chains, a Del Taco. Small signs of American life.

To Visit The Salton Sea: Travel from Palm Springs 1 hour 10min

3 hours from LA

a sight to see!