We visited the Salton Sea and these California towns: Bombay Beach, Salton City, Calexico & El Centro. Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip Travel Vlog 302
For a man sat in his armchair in the middle of England these videos are golden. I can see places I will never visit and never new existed so thanks for your work
I am a 80 yr old disabled veteran unable to leave my house and your videos allow me to take travel vacations. Don’t worry about mechanical failures, police citations, getting robbed, getting lost or other travel problems I’d have rubber-necking the scenery, etc. A big thank you.
Im I enjoy you videos I barely can walk I di take the bus to town its free I'm a Retired Veteran i used to travel all over calif been to palm springs, big bear my brother owns a home there I use to live in Wilmington Calif now I live in turlock country living is awesome no traffic less crime my daughter lives in the foothills Oaks, lake view quite times swimming 🏊 pool in back yard mountain living is number one
I saw Anthony Bourdain’s episode on the Salton Sea and it was good, but yours is by far much better. You looked at things in a different way and took the time to see all the details. Thank you for the video.
Some false data. Lake was created when a diversion of the Colorado River being built for agriculture when a storm broke the dam and the lake filled from Colorado River water.
I absolutely love your videos. Thank you. I am getting older (67) and my husband has passed so I'm not sure how much more I'll ever travel again, so this channel is awesome to me. Thanks. And I love Nicole. Like it when she's with you.
8 years ago almost got bit by a rattlesnake and the song c salty sucks the sewer from Mexicali runs in there so all the fish are dead no mercy girls no more wildlife there that's what I smell so bad can you kill all the fish the sewer from Mexicali dream into the song sea the sewer from Mexicali dreams to the song sea sewer from Mexicali😮
In it's heyday, the Salton Sea was visited by more people than Yosemite National Park. Before they damed up the Colorado River, it created the Salton Sea, in the same way the mountain snows fed the Bad Water basin in Death Valley National Park. I've lived in Death Valley National Park, so I've seen my share of floods in Death Valley. When the tropical storm that hit California back in August 2023, Lake Manly was revived where Bad Water is, in Death Valley. I'd have loved seeing that.
I lived in Salton City 20 years ago. It was great to see it again. It hasn't changed much. It was a really interesting place to live with some really interesting people. There is a subdivision of newer houses just north of the town. That is where the majority of the people live.
This is the most avant-garde place you have ever shown us. The counterculture lifestyle is quite amazing. It's like the complete place is an art installation. I have family who are artists who would fit right in with this place so I get it even though it is not my bag. Thanks for taking the time to detail and present this region in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding. You again have captured the essence of what is transpiring here. I agree that thee Drive-In is pretty cool. Thanks again for another enjoyable adventure. You have the knack to educate and entertain us with your artfully prepared videos. Again another enjoyable Saturday morning passed watching a Joe & Nic Video.
My mom liked going to the Salton Sea area in the mid to late 1960’s, when it was a kind of resort or vacation destination. Mom grew up on a farm in a really small rural GA town so the wide open CA desert was really special to her. I was really little then so I have almost zero memory of what it was like. My sister said it started getting run down probably around 1970-ish and we quit going there.
I'm OBSESSED with this channel! Just found it a few days ago and its always on now. I live in a small town that resembles many of the towns seen here. I've never considered statistics so that is so interesting. And unlike another channel with a similar name, you are so nice and really represent the people who live in the towns you visit. You're very respectful and don't treat the citizens of the towns you visit like zoo exhibits. I hope you keep this up!!
Love your videos. Geography is everything. For those of us who used to travel extensively, but are now older and more restricted, your travels are a joy to watch. Continue, please.
A couple of tidbits to add. There is a flooded salt mine in the middle of the Salton Sea, which makes the alkalinity off the charts high. The west shore (where Salton City is) stinks so bad from algae blooms and fishkills that you can't really get close to the water without gagging...Part of the toxicity beyond the nitrates coming out of the fields (which has gotten somewhat under control) was the fact that the New River flowed in reverse out of Mexicali into the Salton Sea, and until recently without any level of sewage treatment...The keystone to the San Andreas Fault is at the lower end of the Salton, where all the geothermal pools are located. If that thing pops loose, that's where The Big One starts...Slab City nearby is where you really get the Black Rock City vibe...
The Salton Sea is just such an important part of the American Geography. It is so unique. There is no other place like it on this planet. Your documentary is much appreciated for this area that was left for dead. Props to you, Joe & Nic for doing this. Amazing.
Bombay Beach is not a ghost town and we don't have squatters. Most of the homes are owned they aren't abandoned. It's a mixture of offroaders, artists, snowbirds, and locals.
I lived in El Centro as a kid, besides Cher being born there, only other exciting thing to happen was a guy who appeared on America’s Most Wanted was captured there.
Of all of your videos that I've watched, this one by far was my favorite. So unusual and bizarre! I really enjoyed the strange artwork in the middle of the desert - creepy yet fascinating. Thanks for showing the rest of us who can't travel to these places. It's a great way to experience other ways of life.
Pioneering turning progressive in El Centro and area. What an amazing place. Thanks Joe & Nic for taking us to a perplexing California region. Loved it.
In the 60's, I would travel to the Salton Sea with my parents and enjoy the water, sun, and occasional star. For a kid, the highlight was getting a date shake. Dates, vanilla ice cream, and milk. Cold, perfect on a hot day. It's sad to see the state it's in today.
Very educational experience about the Salton Sea. Joe great research and presentation on the areas around the Salton Sea. Thank you for your hard work. ❤ your travel videos.
When i was a wee lad in Edinburgh and asked my Mum for some money, she would say who do you think i am Andrew Carnegie, Andrew was a Scot who made his money in Steel away back in time, and he believed in giving it away before he died, so Libraries was one of his ways to spend his money. Dunfermline in Scotland was well looked after as he was born there ,also other places in Bonnie Scotland.
Yikes! My family and friends used to camp and water ski there in the 60s. Though I knew the general history of The Salton Sea the part about the pesticides, I didn’t know. This might explain a few things. Lol. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing how much California has changed in just the last 40 years. I grew up in the San Diego area. So many WW2 vets who lived on the east coast were stationed at bases in the SD area during WW2. After the war, many moved to San Diego to raise their families due to the weather, beaches and opportunities. I left the area 3 decades ago. When I go visit San Diego now, the area still has so many things that were built post WW2. Lots of homes, businesses and infrastructure still look like the 1950's and 60's to me there.
Wish we could return to the 1950-60s. Better times, pre prohibitively high home prices, and tent cities filled with drug-addled homeless and woke lunatics in political power. 😢
My daughter is in el centro. Shes national guard guarding the border. Coming from ny it was a huge culture shock. Not to mention the weather is like a different planet😂
I like your channel a lot, it’s so cool that you can sort of take me with you on your travels and show me places I’ll most likely never get to see. Greetings from Sweden!
You know how the Salton Sea area is going to change once they (or IF they) start pulling the lithium from under the lake and ground? There will be lots of earthquakes! At least that's my prediction. The area is full of fault lines. I live not too far away near Anza in Riverside County, and it will most likely affect us here as well. In fact it may have a profound effect on the entire SoCal area. We'll see, I suppose. Thanks, Joe and Nicole. Love watching your adventures and learning things, especially when it comes to off-the-beaten-path areas and towns. Stay safe, and stay cool!
The billboard of Bombay Beach is awesome! I want it! LOL. What creative artwork! Wow! The Church was awesome, too! The artwork was a step beyond Slab City. There was so much attention to detail in this artwork! I also loved that Drive-in theater! Yea, that reminded me of Mad Max for sure! Love seeing those fences\walls going up. No politics involved, just a homeowners perspective. LOL, Joey is becoming an Historian, Architect, Statistician, Tour Guide and More! 🙂 Love it! The American poverty numbers WILL rise in all categories over the next 10 years, unfortunately. Keep doing what you guys do! We love Nicole when she makes her Cameos. Thanks Joe for another great video!
Say Nic and Joe, this was an interesting tour. I have to say, it brought up some good old memories for me. Back in the mid to late 1960's, I spent some time down in that part of California. The Salton Sea area used to be a popular place to go for fishing, camping and, hunting. For my father, brother, some friends and I, Quail and Rabbit hunting is what drew us to the area. We always stopped in Indio for breakfast and still made it to our area of hunting before Sunrise. It sure has changed from what it used to be Thanks for taking us along. Stay safe in your travels and, the best to you and yours. Stan
Hello, fellow Armchair Travelers! I reside in Southern California, but have no way to travel beyond my neighborhood, so I also appreciate those who do travel and take the time to share their experiences with the rest of us! 👍😊
This, Bombay Beach, IS one of the most attractive towns I´ve seen in California that matches Slab Town. People can "move" to another "home" without restrictions. No homeless people here. Kids grow up under conditions prevalent in the near future, so they will be a step or two ahead of the blind that don´t foresee what is coming to them all. Thanks for showing the alternative type of community that favors freedom from toxic media. Enjoyed the Drive-in where viewers need not bring an auto, only snacks, drinks and their imagination to enjoy their own creations. Beats Hollywood by ages. Great video Joe&Nic!
I became interested in Salton some years ago and read anything I could find about it online. I'll never be able to visit it but your video makes me feel as if I was there. Thank you for the amazing work you do!
Your videos are polished and fascinating. You are doing a great service by recording these road trips for posterity. You are keeping this viewer in Hong Kong entertained and informed.
Note that the Salton Sea was stocked with Tilapia fish during WW2. They did that to make the U.S. food supply more protected from possible Japanese attack of of the west coast. Note that the U.S. Navy also flew over the Salton Sea during WW2 for exercises. Sadly, a couple of planes with crews are/were still in the water.
Love this out- of -the- way -off- the- charts travelog, opening up the strange, the wacky and wonderfully expressive alternative living. Thanks for taking us along for the ride and sharing the treasures of your travels!
A great video ! The history of the Salton Sea is so fascinating, and I love the old postcards ! It was great to explore the surrounding towns, so interesting ! I love the streets lined with palm trees, beautiful ! Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, enjoyable as always.😊❤
Thank you both so much for another exciting road trip video!! Appreciate it somuch. We're both getting over mild colds here so this makes us feel better as you travel & educate us all!! 😊
Very interesting video J & N. I'd never heard of the Salton Sea. Thx for the back history. Kind of creepy now. That appetizer... yum! Always enjoy it when I have time to listen to one of your vlogs.
Creativity at it's best! I have never been there but in 1971 we took a family vacation in the desert not far from there to visit family and in that area they were known for only 6 days of rain per year. But while we were there it rained 4 days in a row!
I found it interesting that the downtown was covered by a roof...and then I realized it had to be because of the heat and sun. Very interesting! And I loved all the art at Bombay Beach.
The California Natural Resources Agency is currently working on the largest restoration project for the Salton Sea. They have a ten-year plan in place, and many people are eagerly anticipating its completion.
Gracias for the tour, you certainly capture all the in's and out's of this travel. The town of Bombay is sure an interesting place, so much art. Boy that meal, cucumber chalupas really look good I'm going to have to try that. Gracias again for a well presented tour.
Great exploring and entertaining again :) Having travelled there once with great memory from Los Angeles to San Diego inland via Palm Springs, stopped in Desert Shores (north of Salton City) in a cosy local restaurant, in 1999 decorated with numerous models of small red firefighter trucks on the shelves, it was a discovery I still remember. Best greets from Switzerland.
Hi Joe and Nic I've been watching your videos for a while. I'm from England and I love seeing all the different places you visit. The first 2 towns in this video were bizarre. Thanks for the videos I will keep watching for sure
Thank you for such interesting videos. I loved seeing all the quirky art in the town. Astonished at the size of the meals but disappointed at all the waste
The first places are wanton yet it's obvious they have a sense of humor and are content just like they are. I so appreciate you showing places I could never imagine! LOL Dollar Generals are everywhere!! Nicole, you are so right - those are fences!! Boy! that appetizer looked tasty! And there was a kitty!!! Thanks guys!
Welcome to California! My mom was from Witchita Falls Texas!! Dad was from Nebraska! Dad water skied at salton sea in the 50s or early 60s . I’m 1.5 hrs away from salton sea . I enjoy your channel, thanks
Native Californian here. If you are travel north of San Diego I’d love to see you go to the small town of Pixley. It’s a rural farming town, I also suggested Quincy. It’s 3 hours north of Sacramento. Very beautiful but super remote.
There are 18 Carnegie libraries in New Zealand, as well. One of them is about 40km from where I live, but it's now used as a live theatre, due to it having been replaced with a modern library.
I was raised is Calexico. Always been a poor town. People are friendly, most of its commerce is from Mexical residend. They come across & purchase everything from groceries to furniture. Used to work in sales at Sears in El Centro. It was a B store but would sell as much or more items that an A store which is a bigger store.
I was there in 1990 - 1993. Started off in the warhouse and promoted to the White Appliances sales department. I remember Bob, he was in Service department@@crxk20r59
Super show again Joe! Bombay Beach was really Kool! Loved the locked gate with two smashed toilets ? All the different styles of multi coloured TV’s looking back at the street was very creative! Your video really debunks people pouring illegally into the USA especially where there was no Fence/Wall! My Favourite though was the Drive In with 1972-73 Ford Maverick in the “Back Row”! It sounded like you had a bit of a chest cold at the beginning of the video? If so hope you’re feeling better! Thank you again for everything that you do ! Drive safe and take care! See you next week!
It's like a breath of fresh air listening to someone with such a lovely ,positive attitude.. My uncle was involved in the early days of the Salton Sea. My parents bought a lot and had planned on building a vacation home on it.I remember going there every now and then as a child so I am always interested in any coverage of The Salton Sea. Thank you so much for this very well done video.
Marriage of adobe and brutalist architecture. The massive downtown mall with the courtyard (47:15) looks like some developer got a sweatheart deal from politicians to build this amazing magnet that will draw loads of people from everywhere. NOT! The more planning that goes into “downtown” development, the less likely it is to succeed.
Y'know...Calexico looks like a pretty neat place to visit. I'll bet there are a lot of neat little shops and some amazing "mom and pop" restaurants. I know from growing up in the Houston area that those are the best places to get Mexican food.
Yes it was a 😺 it counts, I side with Nic that is a fence I can see Mexico, wanted to see what would happen if you made a run to Mex. and back😂.Joe U R a lucky guy, when it comes to food Nic is not a pic. And thanks for the video I always enjoy them.❤😊
Develop industry in Salton City..... "Great Weather"..... HA ! Come back to the Salton Sea area / Imperial County in July - Aug - Sept. when it is daily about 110*F. And not much water for human use. So you were in El Centro..... my home. Woulda like to have met you. Just an FYI..... that old county courthouse has survived three earthquakes of 6.4 + magnitude. Glad you found the horse trough :-) Downtown.... not that much commercial business anymore.... its moved out to the mall and along main routes... You found one of the OK places to eat (Burgers & Beer)..... usually good food, but way too noisy in there.
I lived near there and worked as a desert tour guide. The desert draws you in and there is a greater sense of freedom there than most places in the U.S. Live and let live. Very true what you say about some people being economic trapped. Brutally hot in the summer and early fall. Beautiful in the winter and spring.
