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.

Surprisingly complete ode to the history of Imperial Valley, with both things to see inside and…read moreout. The museum is very large with two upstairs sections. Downstairs includes a history of the valley plus slices of the changing technology that helped make the west what it was. Nature and animal exhibits too, with stuffed animals. Upstairs one large section is devoted to the different ethnic groups who have settled in the valley and contributed to it, and another section includes antiques that made life easier through home improvement devices over the years. Works of well known Imperial Valley residents like author Harold Bell Wright are exhibited. Outside some farm devices and a parked few pieces of a train including its caboose. In all a very enjoyable experience with something for everyone. $10. per adult, $5. for students.

Good day for a couple laps around the park! Nice view with…read morewater area with ducks Friendly family park!

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.

We enjoyed this museum…read more It's located about 50 minutes east of Palm Dessert or about an hour east of Palm Springs. This privately run and funded museum touches on al aspects of General George Patton's life, from childhood, school, military life and his death. It also touches on and is sited near the Desert Training Facility that trained 100,000 US troops before they went to fight in Africa. The museum is well done and flows "okay". There are many displays full of photos, artifacts, plaques and notes. There's a large room with a lot of war-era artifacts. Some of them are scale models. There is a large outdoor yard with tanks and other heavy military vehicles and artillery. I wasn't able to figure out how to get into that fenced space but I took a few pictures of it from outside the fence. If you follow military history and enjoy museums like this, you'll enjoy the General Patton Memorial Museum.

Visited 4/29/2019 Wow…read moreThis is a great little roadside attraction at the Salton Sea. Run by the owner they don't open till 12:30 AM. The owner drives a bright yellow banana color Camaro that will be parked out front. Everything about this place spells bananas with lots of souvenirs to be had and other little knickknacks that the owner has collected over the years. He also serves several different ice cream's including, you guessed it, Banana Ice Cream, I have heard that the banana chocolate shakes are amazing but have as of yet not tried one myself. Next visit. He charges a $1.00 a head to come in and take pictures. Spend as much time as you're like there is plenty of little things to look at. All in all this isn't a bad little attraction to spend a little hour of your time. Enjoy.

The International Banana Museum is definitely a unique experience and a must visit, if you're…read morepassing along the infamous Salton Sea area. The couple that owns the establishment are very friendly! The price for admission is $1, but will be waived with a purchase. The place was once a bar that belonged to the owner's family, until he turned it into the Banana Museum it is now. They have some Banana flavored ice cream/shakes and other treats or other various assortments of souvenirs and knick-knacks. I wouldn't recommend traveling 30+ miles just to go to this place alone, but if that's what you are into, go for it! We visited while traveling back from Salvation Mountain & East Jesus. Please do call ahead! We got there at around 1:30pm and the place was still closed, but the owners happened to arrive as we were about to leave. So we got lucky!

I did a long weekend trip to Palm Desert with the goal of visiting the Salton Sea. Originally, I…read moreplanned to loop the entire shoreline, but after talking with a ranger at the visitor center, I stuck to the east side and doubled back, which was definitely the right call. Our turnaround point was Salvation Mountain, right next to Slab City. Before going, I had read about Leonard Knight and the story behind the mountain, which honestly made the visit more meaningful. The dedication and message behind it are almost as interesting as the site itself. It is kind of amazing that the structure still stands today and is in such solid condition. The drive out was mostly fine, though hot and dusty, especially on a Saturday afternoon. I would recommend going earlier in the day if possible. The mountain itself looked better maintained than I expected. The colors were bright, and it was clear that ongoing work is being done to preserve it. I left a small donation since it felt like a meaningful effort to support. That said, it did not fully resonate with me. While I can appreciate the effort and story, the style of art and the surrounding environment did not quite click. If you are into outsider art or off grid communities, you will probably get more out of it than I did. The biggest downside is the immediate setting. Being next to Slab City definitely impacts the experience. The vibe felt a bit uncomfortable at times, and we did not stay long or continue on to East Jesus. Overall, I am glad I visited. It is unique, and the story behind it adds depth, but it is more of a one time stop for me than a place I would go out of my way to revisit. 3 stars.

Quirky fun is all I can say. About 90 minutes from Palm Desert. Just a strange experience but fun…read more I didn't reel it was inspired. Just the work of an obsessed man. Glad us was free. Then up the road is Slab City. Nothing worth mentioning there. Just ramshackle campers, burned out campers and various types of encampments. It was interesting once.

We were driving from San Diego back to El Centro. We had tried stopping earlier but the wind was so…read morebad, so we drove on. We saw the sign for the Imperial Valley Desert Museum on our last trip and it sounded interesting...but I didn't really expect that much being so far away from any towns. We weren't sure we were even heading toward the museum since there was no sign and road was gravel and bumpy. But around the corner there was the terra cotta roof of the museum. No sign for the entrance either but they were glass doors so in we went. No one was at the desk but there were people looking at exhibits so we went in. The museum was not large but had areas with different exhibits and historic artifacts. The exhibits were very informative and well done. They have a beautiful collection of pottery by the Kumeyaay, a local First Nation tribe (who had bands that covered north from Escondido to near Ensenada and east from Yuma, AZ. to the Pacific Ocean. There is a movie that explains how the different bands lived that was so wonderful and informative that I would watch again. We were there about an hour and didn't see everything in detail. I really enjoyed learning about the Kumeyaay people and the desert area of Imperial County area. We will definitely come back to go through it again. I highly recommend making the stop to see the museum.

This is an excellent desert museum. They have a number of good interpretive displays and regularly…read morehost events such as star viewing (they have several telescopes), lectures and planned trips to Anza Borrego state park and the surrounding areas. For years, this museum sat vacant. Finally enough money was raised to build out the interior. When it opened, I just had to go see it. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. For its size, I was surprised to see the number of displays they had and the quality of them. They also have a nice bookstore with trail maps and other informative desert literature. If you've driven on interstate 8 eight between San Diego and Arizona, I'm sure you have seen this museum. It has an outdoor trail with many native plants. There's also shaded sitting areas. If you have an extra 30 minutes to an hour, drop by the Imperial Valley desert museum. I'm sure you would enjoy it.

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

We decided to visit Coachella Valley Museum yesterday after hoping to go for a while now…read more The grounds and exhibits are so great, only surpassed by the warm welcome by the docent volunteers. My husband, a stroke survivor walking with a wheeled walker, had no problem getting through to the entryway on the long paved path from the external gate on Miles Street. Inside, the exhibits are so interesting and the facility is bright and clean. We love Indio, so seeing the history of the city's populace enriched our understanding about life in early days. They have a beautiful shop which is now added to my list if cool places to obtain unique gift items. Parking is right across Miles on the corner, directly facing the big museum gate. A ramp connects the parking lot to the roadway. While the property is not a massive one, Coachella Valley Museum is a rich cultural walk through the olden days and you are still close to the downtown area and hidden foodie hangouts like Gabino's Creperie and the Friday Night Food Trucks or the sweet Farmers' Market.

This place is a total gem!! Highly recommend for Coachella history, Indian History, Education…read moreHistory, Date Study (the fruit), and so much more!!!

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.

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.

Such a great children's museum. We brought my 5 and 2 year old here when we were visiting family in…read moreImperial a few years ago, and they had a blast. It is really great for all ages.. the adults had just as much fun as the kids. Lots of fun things to do, see and learn about. Some of my kids' favorite exhibits were the bubble area, massive pin wall, art spin crafts, vertical slide, and light brite wall. They also have a separate play room geared for younger children. I would absolutely recommend taking your children here.

I'm giving this 4 stars but wish it could be 4.5 (and they could easily reach 5 stars). This…read moremuseum is very centrally located in Centro Civico, right next to Liverpool. There is plenty of free parking. It is a large lot that has both indoor and outdoor exhibits and an IMAX theater indoors. We unfortunately arrived too late in the day to check out the IMAX. It was very deserted, even on a Saturday. The outdoor exhibits focus on trains, flora/fauna and colors/shapes. There is plenty of outdoor space for eating and relaxing. There is also a large lawn area, where they were having birthday party (looked fun!) and I believe they rent the entire museum after hours for weddings, events, 15eras, etc....The inside has all kinds of science and daily living exhibits. There is also a large maker space where kids can create (there is a second art space in the dark exhibit section as well). There is a rock climbing wall, a huge lighted fountain and an orbiter ride in addition to many interactive stations (bubbles, life size chess etc...) It is fun for the whole family. There is also a very high catwalk (I don't recommend this if you are afraid of heights, It is very high and not the sturdiest but fun!). All the attendants are very enthusiastic as well. So why no five stars? 1. Many of the exhibits were broken or partially broken 2. The gift shop needs to get in items for older kids, they have a captive audience but it's mainly little kids coloring books 3. the food is horrible!!! overpriced, overcooked and didn't taste good at all. This was a great outing. Oh one final note they do NOT have A/C they have big fans and the day we went (in mid October) was moderate enough that it wasn't an issue but you may want to go early in the morning if you are going in the summer!