Salton Sea State Recreation Area

The Salton Sea is the most surreal day trip from Palm Springs, and one of the most memorable. Lying in a basin below sea level at the southern end of the Coachella Valley, it is California's largest lake, created by accident in 1905 when the Colorado River broke through irrigation works and poured into the dry Salton Sink for nearly two years. In the 1950s and 60s its shores were promoted as a desert Riviera, with marinas, yacht clubs and resort towns; rising salinity, agricultural runoff and fluctuating water levels ended that dream, and today the shoreline is a mix of stark beauty, abandoned buildings and remarkable birdlife. The best introduction is Salton Sea State Recreation Area on the northeast shore, about 30 miles south of Indio on Highway 111. The park covers some 15,000 acres of land and water and around 14 miles of shoreline. Its visitor center, open daily from 9am to 4pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, explains the sea's history and ecology, and short trails and the beach let you walk the strange shoreline, where the sand is often made of crushed fish bones and barnacle shells. Day use costs $7 per vehicle, or $5 for seniors 62 and over. As of November 2026 the park is open with some restrictions: the main campground is open, but Mecca Beach and Bombay Beach campgrounds are closed, Varner Harbor is closed to boat launching because of falling water levels, and driving on the beach is not allowed. October through May is the season; summer temperatures can exceed 110 degrees.

Birds are the sea's great surprise. Because so much of California's wetland habitat has disappeared, the Salton Sea has become a vital stop on the Pacific Flyway, and in winter huge numbers of waterbirds gather here, from pelicans and cormorants to shorebirds and ducks. Birders come from far away, and even casual visitors are struck by the spectacle on a good day. Photographers love the light at dawn and dusk, when the water turns silver and the ruins along the shore cast long shadows.

Be prepared for the realities. The sea can smell strongly, especially in warm months, because of algae and decomposing organic matter; it is part of the experience, not a reason to stay away, but it is worth knowing. There are few services along the shore, so bring water, snacks and a full tank. Dogs are allowed on roads and in campgrounds on a short leash but not on beaches or trails. Swimming is permitted in the park, but most visitors simply walk and look. Many people combine the state park with a drive along the shore to Bombay Beach, whose weathered houses and art installations have become a destination in their own right, and with Salvation Mountain beyond the southern end for those with time.

As a day trip, the Salton Sea suits curious travelers, photographers and birders rather than anyone looking for a classic beach day. Leave Palm Springs early, stop for dates and a shake at Shields Date Garden in Indio on the way, spend the late morning at the visitor center and shoreline, and drive back through the date groves of the eastern valley. It pairs well with Painted Canyon in the Mecca Hills for geology lovers, but check flash flood conditions in a wet winter.