rspmd23 Loc: NYC , now in Westlake, Florida

Anyone know if there is anything interesting at the Salton Sea now ? I will be in the area for a week and wondered if it's worthwhile to making the trip there to shoot. If so, any tips on where exactly to go and what to look for ?

thg3 Loc: La Quinta, California

I moved to La Quinta (just north of the sea) 16 years ago and have been to the Salton Sea just once. It is surrounded by agriculture. All the resorts that made the sea famous in the 50's & 60's are all long gone. I'd suggest you Google it and check out the Wikipedia write up about it. That should give you the best idea of what to expect. There are a lot more to see in the Joshua Tree State Park especially if you follow Rte 111 southeast from La Quinta/Indio down to Mecca and take Avenue 66 east to Box Canyon Road and follow it to the gate of the park. At the gate you can either proceed into the park or take I-10 back to Indio. If you have the time, you can follow Hwy 111 thru Mecca to the shore of the Salton Sea just to see what you aren't missing...

Box Canyon Road takes you through the San Andreas Fault and some amazing landscape as does Joshua Tree.

There are also some nice hiking trails into the Santa Rosa Mountains from La Quinta, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

And the BNP Parabas Open Tennis Tournament.

Hope this helps.

rspmd23 Loc: NYC , now in Westlake, Florida

Thanks Tom. I am familiar with the area- we go to Palm desert every year and have been to Joshua Tree several times. The only reason I was interested in the Salton Sea was because Samy's Camera recently had a photo class there led by an ornithologist. They said it was a great time to photograph nesting and migratory birds- not sure if that's still the case. I will check out that Box Canyon road.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I haven't been there for some time, but you might want to check out the Wister Waterfowl Management Area North West of Niland and the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge at the South end of the sea. Enjoy your trip!

rspmd23 Loc: NYC , now in Westlake, Florida

Thanks !,

pkricker Loc: Woodstock, NY, USA

You might want to check out a movie called Bombay Beach, which is a documentary that takes place in the community around the Salton Sea.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A year or so ago I saw a show about the Salton Sea. It was created by accident and became a major tourist attraction.

Here's a link to a video that explains the Salton Sea. It begins at 12:30. You'll need Netflix to watch it.

http://www.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70305697&trkid=13752289&tctx=0,0,abandoned:443bf321-57b9-4220-8a43-9c9c32550975

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Actually it is a little more complicated than that. The aqueduct accident is only part of the modern history of the Salton Sea. There was it seems a prehistoric salt lake or inland sea there long ago.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

From what I hear now and saw 20 years ago it is pretty nasty and smelly. As others noted. Joshua Tree N.P. and Anza Borrego S.P. are much much more interesting. From Palm Desert / La Quinta I especially found the Palms to Pines Highway to Anza Valley an interesting drive as is the Box Canyon route to Hwy I-10 and Joshua Tree N.P.

William Royer Loc: Kansas

We lived in the La Quinta areas for a number of years, and had many opportunities to explore photographically. An interesting shoot at the Salton Sea is the area an old Marina/restaurant (on the north side, I think). Yesteryear kinds of images opportunities from when the area was a very popular weekend spot. Another suggestion would be to go on a "Red Jeep" tour, where the guide shows you around the various desert areas, with good photo ops and explanations. Several reoutes available. If it's not too hot, I'd highly recommend the Mystery Canyon one, which is near the Salton Sea. It takes you to a fascinating section of the San Andreas Fault. Can see the dramatic slot canyons with various kinds of rock pushed up from deep in the earth, as well as very large hills of 'fault gouge' squeezed up from down deep. (Area is something you won't forget. Has been used for various ads -- Victoria's Secret -- and movies -- Planet of the Apes). Others of their great tours go to Joshua Tree, etc. Other ideas are to take a hot air balloon tour, see the Living Desert, go to the Sunday swap meet at College of the Desert. Have a great time!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. It used to be connected to the Gulf of Mexico, but the connection got filled in by Nature.

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

I was in the area for 2 weeks in January, spent a day at the Salton Sea. Planning on returning next January and to spend more time photographing in and around the Sea. Light it a fantastic, lots of dilapidated and abandoned structures, funky buildings, and lots of birds. What's not to love!
Borrego Springs, a small town to the west, is a worthwhile side trip; great for astro photography.

William Royer Loc: Kansas

That Anzo Borrego can have fields of beautiful desert flowers. This may be the time of year to see them.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I was there once in 1965. I was 15.
Water skiing and a lot of fun. I got up finally on a single ski!
Never been back though.

Watched 3 drunk guys wreck a fast flat bottom. They ran it up on the beach about 100 feet. Boy, was somebodies wife ever pissed about that!

gse33 Loc: Southern California

Look up Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. I shot these near there in March Last year