LA Day Trip: Salton Sea 1-Day Itinerary
A one day itinerary from Los Angeles to the Salton Sea and back which includes: Mt. Rubidoux, Bombay Beach, Salvation Mountain, and Palm Springs.
Photo by James Shih
During the pandemic, I’ve made it a point to do safe, day trips from the Los Angeles area to outdoor parks that I’ve been meaning to visit. These day trips have been a way for me to decompress and alleviate some of the COVID-19 fatigue I’ve been feeling. A recent memorable day trip for me was to the Salton Sea. For these trips, I make sure to follow the tips from my previous post as best as I can to keep myself and others safe.
In this post I will share my 1-day itinerary from LA to Mt. Rubidoux and the Salton Sea as well as stop for dinner in Palm Springs on the way back. Below I’ve also included some photos I took on the trip. I will also share some nice places to eat and drink along the way (not sponsored).
Photo by James Shih
Mt. Rubidoux and Peace Tower
On the way to the Salton Sea, we stopped by Peace Tower on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside, CA. About 1 hour and 10 minutes from downtown LA, Mt. Rubidoux is a popular hiking trail with local residents. It has 1,332 feet elevation and notable sights like the cross dedicated to Father Junipero Serra and Peace Tower.
At the base of Mt. Rubidoux is Ryan Bonaminio Park where one can use the restroom and get ready before the hike. At the park there was also a kind woman selling freshly made squeezed juice. I got a bottle and it was delicious. Check them out at Living Young Forever.
The hike itself up to the top of Mt. Rubidoux is fairly easy, there’s a wide path with only a slight incline. This is a popular spot, so be sure to have your mask on when passing other fellow hikers on the way up. There are some large steps that can be a challenge for some that lead up to the cross at the summit. If these steps pose a challenge, one can still admire it from below.
We then hiked over to Peace Tower. It’s quite a sight to see this old castle-like structure on top of a mountain overlooking the city of Riverside. It’s relatively small, just a single tower and a small bridge, but it’s still worth a visit for its intricate stone architecture and views of the city. It’s also a popular spot for taking Instagram and TikTok videos.
Photo by James Shih
Riverside Food Lab and Monty’s Good Burger
We were hungry after our hike and decided to get food in Riverside. I found this collective of restaurants and cafes on yelp called the Riverside Food Lab. I was on a vegan diet at the time and we decided to get Monty’s Good Burger. The price point is a bit higher compared to places like In-N-Out, but the food and the service was really good. Everything is plant-based, from the patties, to the sauces, so if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can eat with a guilt-free conscience.
Photo by James Shih
The Salton Sea
After our meal in Riverside, we did the 1 hour 45 minute drive to the Salton Sea. When entering directions for the Salton Sea, I recommend inputting the Salton Sea State Recreation Area in Mecca, CA. The center itself is closed due to COVID-19, but there’s a ranger posted at the front of the parking lot that can answer questions. There you can pay a $7 park fee that allows you to visit any of the recreation areas along the sea.
The Salton Sea is California’s largest lake which was formed in 1905 supposedly from an engineering mistake that caused the Colorado River to flood the area. However recent research suggests that such a breach was inevitable. Across the lake there’s a beautiful mountain range and at the time there was slight fog in the distance that gave the area a calm, chill atmosphere. There’s a pungent odor due to the excess salt and fish die offs, however, after an hour or so, one gets used to it. The Salton Sea also boasts one the largest, and most diverse bird populations in California, so it was fun to see the variety of birds flying close to the water.
We made a quick drive down highway 111 from North Shore to Mecca Beach Campground, exploring the different shore lines of the Salton Sea. Be sure to wear the proper shoes, the beach area of the Salton Sea can be hard and brittle due to the salt, or get soft and mushy due to the water.
Afterwards, we continued down the 111 to the small town of Bombay Beach.
Photo by James Shih
Bombay Beach
One can definitely see and feel the remains of the history of the space here. Once created as a vacation getaway for the rich in the 1940s and 50s, the area was hit by a series of natural disasters in the 1970s from which it hasn’t fully recovered.
When visiting, make sure not to trespass on other people’s property, as it is still home to approximately 400 residents. Also be careful when you visit, as you may come across squatters and stray animals.
The abandoned buildings and structures that we saw give Bombay Beach an eerie, post-apocalyptic vibe. Bombay Beach is also home to the Bombay Beach Biennale, an art festival that finds creative expression in the unique space, though it is closed this year due to the pandemic.
Moving on from Bombay Beach, we made our way to Salvation Mountain.
Photo by James Shih
Salvation Mountain
Created over the course of 28 years, artist Leonard Knight made Salvation Mountain, his artistic expression to spread the message of God. When we went close to sunset, there was only a family and two others visiting. There was plenty of parking and masks were required when entering the area. No one is currently allowed inside the mountain due to COVID-19, so one has to view it from a distance. There are also a few cars and benches that are decorated in a similar design that one can look at up close.
We didn’t see any site supervisors, but when two guys on dirt bikes entered the area, a loudspeaker, like the voice of God, came on and told the two gentlemen that no dirt bikes were allowed on the premise.
There are not many restaurants in the area so on the way back to LA and decided to stop by Palm Springs for dinner.
Photo by James Shih
Palms Springs
For dinner, my friend and I had Thai food take-out from Thai House in Palm Springs. My friend and I did some searching but eventually found an outdoor area we could sit that was away from people and we could have our meal.
Due to lockdown orders, most shops and restaurants close in the evening. Speaking with the Thai restaurant owner, she mentioned how she was lucky just to get by during these times. After our meal we went to a cafe and had a lovely chat with the owner about the history of Palm Springs. He shared how there were many Hollywood stars that made their homes in Palm Springs and that Frank Sinatra’s home was close by.
After Palm Springs, we made our way back to LA in about 1.5 hours.
If you get a chance, the Salton Sea is definitely worth a visit for the nature sights as well as the surrounding areas.
Note: The Salton Sea is a common location used for film and music video shoots. Check out Saltwater, by writer/director Lise Swenson. Filmed and shot in the Salton Sea area, it really captures the desolate, abandoned, yet hopeful feeling of the area.
