Salton Sea Yacht Club
When you head south from Palm Springs, you will want to want to stop at the Salton Sea Yacht Club. It was a swanky club, when the doors opened in 1959.
Albert Frey designed the mid-century modern building, and this was the destination for movie stars and musicians. The Salton Riviera attracted huge crowds, who enjoyed water sports and warm weather.
However, problems were brewing. Agricultural runoff and fluctuating water levels impacted the water quality. Then, in the 1980's the marina closed, when it was damaged by a catastrophic flood.
Funds have been allocated to revitalized the area, but this is not going to be an easy task. The beach club is now open for limited hours as a community center, but most who visit are there to see this uniquely damaged part of the state.
The water level is much lower than the last time I was there, so the beach is much wider. From a distance, it looks like white sand, but up close you'll see that the 'sand' is actually crushed fish bones. Yes, lots of fish bones.
Photo Gallery
Salton Sea
At the visitor's center, I was told that the water is clean and safe. However, there is no way that I would swim in it or eat fish that had been caught there. Take a look at my photo gallery, so you can see the dirty foam that washes up onto the fish bone beach. I didn't see anyone else swimming, boating or fishing the day I was there.
Sometimes a pungent stench fills the air, but it's been fine each time I've been there. I had a nice visit, and will be back again. Hopefully, my habit of avoiding the stench will continue! This is a beautiful and unique place to visit.
North Shore Beach and Yacht Club
99155 Sea View Drive
Mecca, CA 92254
Check out my other travel articles, so you can get more travel inspiration. And, take advantage of these Palm Springs hotel deals, so you can save money to go on more adventures.