Salton Sea
Discover Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, covering 376 square miles It is about 227 feet below sea level. Its salinity level is 44 parts per thousand versus 35 parts per thousand for the Pacific Ocean. The sea's salinity level has been rising, putting the ecosystem at serious long-term risk. It is a popular destination for boating and fishing. It is in the south-eastern corner of California, about 100 miles east of San Diego, 70 miles southeast of Palm Springs, 30 miles north of Mexicali.
What to Experience in Salton Sea
Taste of Salton Sea...
There are safe swimming and fishing areas, but check on local conditions first as algal blooms and storms can greatly affect water quality. Do not pick up hitchhikers on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. There is a state prison in Calipatria. Escaped inmates may attempt to hitchhike out of the area. It is generally advised to avoid contact with water in or at the mouth of the New River. This river flows out of Mexico and carries a small amount of untreated sewage. There are lots of abandoned businesses, hotels, houses, and other developments around the Salton Sea. They can be fascinating to explore, but remember that most are still private property. When exploring, be respectful of the residents who still live there and may not appreciate strangers gawking at their homes or trespassing on their property.
Climate
Because of its southern latitude, elevation of 227 ft (69 m) below sea level, and location in the Sonoran Desert, the area sees some of the hottest temperatures in the nation with daily temperatures from May to October often exceeding 100 °F (38 °C), and extreme temperatures higher than 115 °F (46 °C) recorded yearly. Two highways, California State Routes 86 and 111, run the length of the Salton Sea and cross each other in both Mecca and Brawley. CA 86 is a major four-lane route on the west side of the sea and is heavily traveled. CA 111 is a two-lane highway on the east side of the sea that, while paved, tends to be in poorer condition than CA 86. The posted speed limit lowers on CA 111 when crossing from Imperial County into Riverside County. Watch your speed, because the Riverside County Sheriff actively enforces the speed limit in that area.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTwo highways, California State Routes 86 and 111, run the length of the Salton Sea and cross each other in both Mecca and Brawley. CA 86 is a major four-lane route on the west side of the sea and is heavily traveled. CA 111 is a two-lane highway on the east side of the sea that, while paved, tends to be in poorer condition than CA 86. The posted speed limit lowers on CA 111 when crossing from Imperial County into Riverside County. Watch your speed, because the Riverside County Sheriff actively enforces the speed limit in that area. There are two US Border Patrol checkpoints for northbound traffic on CA 86 at the junction of CA 78 and on CA 111 about 11 miles north of Niland. It usually takes only a few minutes to pass the checkpoints. Weekends and holidays will bring more traffic and longer wait times, but it's rarely unreasonable. Do not try to evade these checkpoints....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Two highways, California State Routes 86 and 111, run the length of the Salton Sea and cross each other in both Mecca and Brawley. CA 86 is a major four-lane route on the west side of the sea and is heavily traveled. CA 111 is a two-lane highway on the east side of the sea that, while paved, tends to be in poorer condition than CA 86. The posted speed limit lowers on CA 111 when crossing from Imperial County into Riverside County. Watch your speed, because the Riverside County Sheriff actively enforces the speed limit in that area. There are two US Border Patrol checkpoints for northbound traffic on CA 86 at the junction of CA 78 and on CA 111 about 11 miles north of Niland. It usually takes only a few minutes to pass the checkpoints. Weekends and holidays will bring more traffic and longer wait times, but it's rarely unreasonable. Do not try to evade these checkpoints.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There are safe swimming and fishing areas, but check on local conditions first as algal blooms and storms can greatly affect water quality. Do not pick up hitchhikers on the eastern shore of the Salton Sea. There is a state prison in Calipatria. Escaped inmates may attempt to hitchhike out of the area. It is generally advised to avoid contact with water in or at the mouth of the New River. This river flows out of Mexico and carries a small amount of untreated sewage. There are lots of abandoned businesses, hotels, houses, and other developments around the Salton Sea. They can be fascinating to explore, but remember that most are still private property. When exploring, be respectful of the residents who still live there and may not appreciate strangers gawking at their homes or trespassing on their property.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Salton Sea
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea in southeastern California, 2015. Algae blooms due to regularly caused fish dies. Evaporation also caused increased salinity levels. As of 2021, the lake has significantly shrunken, and no fish appear to have survived.
a swing in the middle of a body of water
a couple of chairs sitting on top of a sandy beach
a run down building with graffiti on it
a wooden bench sitting on top of a sandy beach
a black and white photo of graffiti on the side of a building
a car that is sitting in the dirt
a pink building with lots of graffiti on it
a sign that says on air next to a trailer
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea in southeastern California, 2015. Algae blooms due to regularly caused fish dies. Evaporation also caused increased salinity levels. As of 2021, the lake has significantly shrunken, and no fish appear to have survived.
a swing in the middle of a body of water