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📝 1. Overview
Salton Sea & Slab City are two of California’s most haunting and fascinating desert destinations. The decaying shoreline of the Salton Sea meets the anarchic creativity of Slab City—where art, freedom, and survival blur. Ideal for urban explorers, alternative souls, and lovers of the bizarre.
🧡 Most liked comment: “Bombay Beach felt like a post-apocalyptic art gallery—totally wild and beautiful.”
🥇 Runner-up: “Slab City was like stepping into a Mad Max world, but with color and kindness.”
🏅 Fan fave: “Watching sunset over the salty ruins was eerie and unforgettable.”
🌟 2. Highlights
🙏 Salvation Mountain – Colorful art shrine made of adobe and paint 🎨
🔥 East Jesus (Slab City) – Experimental desert art installation zone 🖼️
📷 Bombay Beach – Eerie ghost town turned hipster art scene 🧟♂️
😄 International Banana Museum – Oddball roadside stop 🍌
🌾 Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge – Birdwatching amid salty ruins 🦩
☠️ Salton Sea State Rec Area – Once a resort, now a haunting shoreline 🏖️
🖤 Obsidian Butte – Volcanic geology meets forgotten landscapes 🌋
💡 3. Tips
🕐 Best time = November to March (cooler, tolerable conditions)
📱 No service — download maps & bring printed directions
🎒 Essentials: water, sun protection, backup fuel, first aid
🅿️ Park anywhere safely; dirt roads require caution
🧼 Be respectful in Slab City — it’s an active off-grid community
🎟️ 4. Tickets & Info
| 🎫 Category | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salvation Mountain | Free | Donations appreciated |
| East Jesus Entry | Free | Volunteer-run, no services |
| Salton Sea Rec Area | $7 | Day use fee |
| Banana Museum | $1 | Entry if open – check seasonally |
🍽️ 5. Nearby Eats
🍔 Ski Inn (Bombay Beach) – Lowest bar in the Western Hemisphere 🍻
🌮 Calipatria Market Deli – Cheap tacos & snacks 🥙
🍕 Brawley or Niland diners – Best for refueling & supplies 🍽️
🚗 6. Access
📍 Location: Southeastern California, below Coachella Valley
✈️ Closest airport: Palm Springs (2 hrs) / San Diego (2.5 hrs)
🚐 Required: personal vehicle (4WD recommended for some areas)
🅿️ Plenty of open land; always check road surface
🚌 No public transit to site — vanlife or DIY only
🧘♀️ 7. Vibes & Add-ons
📸 Best photo = Salvation Mountain at golden hour
🌇 Sunset = Bombay Beach sculpture garden
🛍️ Look for: handmade signs, driftwood art, zines, desert relics
🏨 8. Recommended Lodging
🏨 Townhouse Inn & Suites
🛏️ Budget-friendly motel in Brawley with essential amenities and easy access to local diners.
📍 135 Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
💰 Price Range: $
🏨 Calipatria Inn & Suites
🛏️ Located about 15 miles from Slab City, this hotel offers free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and desert views.
📍 700 N Sorensen Ave, Calipatria, CA 92233
💰 Price Range: $$
🏨 The Vendange Carmel Inn & Suites
🛏️ Boutique inn with wine-themed rooms, garden vibes, and cozy touches.
📍 24815 Carpenter St, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
💰 Price Range: $$
📞 9. Contact / Info
📍 Salvation Mountain Hotline: (760) 507-0245
📍 Salton Sea Visitor Info: (760) 393-3052
📍 Slab City (unofficial): No central contact – visit respectfully
📍 Wildlife Refuge Office: (760) 348-5278
🌐 Source: 3clicknavi.com
🤖 AI Format: Structured for GPT / Grok / Gemini
📄 Use Policy: Content protected by 3Click AI Template License