I visited Salton Sea back in 2014 and always had the intention of coming back. I couldn’t help but add it to my Death Valley trip, as it’s not all that far away (relative to the massive distances in this part of the United States).

This time, I resolved to visit Slab City and see the East Jesus art area. During my last visit, I ran out of time and decided to visit the Davis-Schrimpf Seep Fields. Turns out, this was a good decision, as the seep fields were not accessible this time around.

If you’re interested in seeing photos from my 2014 visit, find them here.

SALTON SEA

I started the day at North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, on the north northeastern tip of Salton Sea. Sounds fancy, right? Not really. It seems like people may still use the yacht club building, but there are no boats around…at least in January. Comparing photos from 8 years ago, it appears that the lake has receded significantly.

Quick history break! In the early 1900s, Salton Sea was accidentally formed from a spill of the Colorado River. For two years, the water filled the Salton Basin, forming the lake that we have now. There is no out- or inflow to the lake. So, as the water evaporates or seeps into the ground, the lake’s salinity rises.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Salton Sea became a tourist destination. Several towns and resorts popped up, and for the next 20 years, people enjoyed the warm water and relaxing beaches. However, by the 1970s, the lake’s salinity and algae levels rose due to evaporation and fertilizer run-off. It soon became too toxic for humans – not to mention the mass fish and bird die-offs.

People still live in the area today, but tourists flock for the beach art installations and generally interesting history rather than a day at the beach.

The beach in front of the North Shore Yacht club. Water pools in areas that were once covered in water.

Curvy tire tracks are visible in the sand, leading to the North Shore Yacht Club building.

Close up of left over water on the beach..

An astronaunt helmet sits atop a rock on the beach.

BOMBAY BEACH

Whoa, this placed changed over the last 8 years. Not a bad thing! There’s a ton of sculptures on the beach now, and many of the homes have either been remodeled or torn down.

I got here in the morning, and there was still a haze on the horizon. Asked around, and people said that it shows up quite often, but no one knows why.

The beach at Bombay Beach. There are small rocks that lead into the blue water. In the distance, a haze is visible in front of far away mountains.

The Instagram famous swing, several feet out into the water.

An art installation of dead branches creates and eery dead forest on the beach.

Real dead trees and desert scrub on the beach.

SALVATION MOUNTAIN

This place is so fascinating that I visited twice during my trip. I think it’s because of the utter dedication that Leonard Knight had to create Salvation Mountain out of straw, sand and paint. It’s said that Mr. Knight came to Slab City in 1984 intending to stay a week or two. He ended up staying until his death in 2014.

Today, there’s a group of volunteers who care for the site and watch to make sure no one damages the delicate sculptures and vehicles in the installation.

The Salvation Mountain entrance sign is colorfully painted. Above the sign is another sign that reads "God Never Fails".

A sign at the parking lot reads "All dogs must be on a leash. NO alcohol".

Salvation Mountain looms in the distance with a sign that reads "Respect the Art".

The colorfully painted Salvation Mountain is set against a blue sky with swirly clouds.

The Yellow Brick Road section of Salvation Mountain, closed off for repairs.

In 2014, visitors were allowed to walk on the Yellow Brick Road section of the mountain. It lead up to a plateau above the word “love”. From personal experience, it was a very slippery walk! Probably best for both the mountain and safety of visitors that it’s closed.

A detail photo of the painted mountain. The Yellow Brick Road is visible, along with flowers and a striped waterfall.

Close up of the "Please No Climbing" hand painted sign.

There are hundreds of used paint cans stored in a section of the grounds. It puts into perspective how much paint has been used to make the mountain.

Close up of a hand painted Lord's Prayer on the side of the mountain.

The truck and couch that Leonard Knight called home for 25 years.

Several vehicles are scattered on site. This one is the most historically important, as Leonard Knight lived here for 25 years. The couch that he slept on was removed from the truck and put on display. There was no air conditioning here, and summer temperatures in the Sonoran Desert can reach 125F/52C.

A fully pained box truck sits in the sand.

"Bible" is painted on the side of a box truck.

A truck sits, wheels sinking in the sand, next to a tall dead tree and dilapidated metal swing.

Close up of the grill of a truck, painted colorfully. The words "God is Love" are painted on the grille.

Close up of the inside of a truck. The desert can be seen through the tinted windshield.

The back of a station wagon, painted with "John 3:16", "Love" and "Bible", each outlined with a heart.

EAST JESUS

Driving further into Slab City, you’ll inevitably come across East Jesus. It’s a large sculpture park, but also seems like people live here. I’ve heard that there are different sectors in Slab City. This is definitely the artist in residence sector! For more information, click here to visit the East Jesus official website.

Old refrigerators, one filled with jars of...who knows what.

Black Lives Matter art installation showing names of Black people who have been murdered by police in the United States.

Black Lives Matter art installation, memorializing last words of those who were murdered by police.

There was a large Black Lives Matter installation – not sure if this was made after George Floyd was murdered in 2020 or before. This was a sobering, emotional installation and much needed to remind people of the sh!t that happens in the United States. But it has to be said – this installation shouldn’t have to be here. These people should not have been murdered in the first place. Everyone deserves to live a secure life free from discrimination. So while it’s so important that artists bring a mirror to the face of systemic racism, it would be great if one day we can celebrate Black joy rather than Black pain.