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Bombay Beach is a historic and abandoned place I enjoyed exploring. Once a flourishing vacation spot, it’s now an outdoor art installation on the Salton Sea.
You can drive through the community areas and see unique exhibits. This is one of the most interesting places I’ve visited in California.
So, come along as I share what to know when visiting, information on exploring the area, and tips.
Getting to Bombay Beach
From Palm Springs on the way to Bombay Beach, I headed south on CA-86, then CA-111. It took about an hour to get there.
Going this way, you’ll drive along the Salton Sea. What a pretty view along the vast, deserted stretch.
You can’t miss the big ol’ vintage Bombay Beach sign. Turn onto that street to get to the beach.
Visiting Bombay Beach
The area is pretty much open 24/7, however, I arrived during the day. I’m not sure what nighttime is like.
There’s no fee for entrance or parking. I didn’t see any police or security when I was there.
In the 1950s to 1960s, people visited this thriving beach resort. But in the 1980s, the residents moved out due to environmental conditions.
Agricultural runoff and pesticides killed the fish. Well, that led to the beach becoming a wasteland.
Neighborhood Vibes
The first thing you’ll see when visiting is the community. Driving through the neighborhood, I saw a lot of interesting sights.
There was The Last Resort, The Ski Inn, and a community garden. I briefly checked out the garden, but didn’t stop for grub.
Many buildings had graffiti smeared all over them and looked torn down. Many colorful RVs, houses, and cars sat quietly.
I saw a couple people renovating and working on projects in the neighborhood. There was a house with a TV exhibit outside, and that was cool.
Although Bombay Beach Estates looked abandoned, it appeared that people lived on some of the properties. It was hard to tell which ones were occupied, so proceed with caution.
Salton Sea
When you head to the beachfront, that’s where you’ll find the open-air exhibits. You can drive in the sand or walk around.
I traveled in a 4-wheel drive Sprinter van that handled the sand well. But if you’re in a car, I’d stay on the path where the sand has been packed in.
Close to the water, I could smell the rotten-egg fish smell. You can actually see remains of the fish and seaweed embedded in the sand.
The whole area seemed so elusive to me.
The water lapped at the shore as a few sea birds came around. The sea was the only sound I heard.
Looking out to where the blue sky and water meet, it’s such a beautiful place. But it’s got this desolate, sad feel.
Bails of hay lined the beach with signs warning ‘No trespassing.’ It’s hard to believe this was once a popular weekend escape.
Art Exhibits
You can drive around and walk to the art exhibits. They reminded me of the things I saw at Slab City.
Many exhibits expressed statements and feelings about the beach. As art typically does make one think.
There was a yellow door on the beach with a view of the sea in the background. And a sign on it read, ‘Open house.’
Well, ain’t that the truth. In so many ways.
I couldn’t help but feel sad that this area wasn’t a vacation spot anymore. However, the artwork brought new life to this beach.
Other people walked around and took pictures of the exhibits. I wondered if they felt the same way.
Residents
A man in an RV had a set-up living by the water. He looked like he had been living there for a while.
Although he had a nice view, the smell was strong. The breeze flowed from the sea beneath clouds that were pillows of cotton.
What appeared to be some locals sat around, smoking in a truck while eyeing visitors.
Then they popped the hood to work on it. Other than that, I didn’t see many locals hanging out on the beach.
I wasn’t able to talk to anyone who lived in the area. It felt post-apocalyptic and a bit eerie.
An hour was enough for exploring. Upon leaving, I wondered if there was any possible way to restore this forgotten beach.
Camping Nearby
While driving back, you might see the Salton Sea State Recreation Area. At the campground, people were hanging out.
People waved from a camper van with a European license plate. Others were camping in vehicles and tents.
The campground was clean and well-maintained, with shade. So if you would like to camp near Bombay Beach, this might be a good place to stay.
And at the campground, I didn’t notice the bad stench from the Salton Sea. It was close to the water, but the air seemed much better farther from the beach.
Travel Notes
Coming from Palm Springs in the late fall, the weather was toasty. But there was a nice cool breeze at the beach.
You might not spend a day lounging by the sea, but I’d bring a hat and sunscreen just in case. I did a bit of walking on the beach.
I’m sure that going during the summer will bring much more extreme heat. It’s the desert, after all.
Overall
Bombay Beach is an interesting place to visit. This once-popular destination is still a great place to explore post-apocalyptic art.
The artwork is really a treat to see, especially if you like upcycling with imagination. Maybe next time I’ll stop at the restaurant and talk to some of the locals.
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