116. California - the Mysteries of the Salton Sea

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Caloroga Shark Media. Welcome to travel
is back where today we'll be exploring one

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of the most unique and fascinating destinations
in southern California, the Salt and Sea.

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Located in the heart of the Colorado
Desert about one hundred and fifty miles

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southeast of Los Angeles, The Salt
and Sea is a massive saltwater lake that

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has been a source of mystery,
intrigue, and controversy for decades. The

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Salt and Sea was created by accident
in nineteen oh five, when a heavy

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rainstorm caused the Colorado River to overflow
its banks and flow into the Salton Basin.

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For two years, the river continued
to flow into the basin, creating

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a massive inland sea that covered over
three hundred and fifty square miles. Today,

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the Salt and Sea is the largest
lake in California and a vital habitat

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for a wide variety of bird species, including pelicans, herons, and migratory

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waterfowl. But the Salt and Sea
is more than just a natural wonder.

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It's also a place with a rich
and sometimes troubled history. In the nineteen

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fifties and sixties, the area around
the lake was a popular tourist destination,

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with resorts, yacht clubs, and
vacation homes sprouting up along its shores.

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Celebrities like Frank Sinatra and the Beach
Boys were known to frequent the area,

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and the Saltan Sea was hailed as
the Saltan Riviera. However, over time,

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the lake's high salinity and pollution levels
began to take their toll. Fish

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populations declined, and the once thriving
resorts and communities fell into disrepair. Today,

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the Salt and Sea is a shadow
of its former self, with abandoned

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buildings, rusting infrastructure, and a
pungent odour that can be smelled from miles

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away. Despite its challenges, the
Salt and Sea remains a fascinating destination for

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adventurous travelers and nature enthusiasts. One
of the best ways to experience the area

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is by visiting the Salt and Sea
State Recreation Area, which offers a variety

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of outdoor activities including hiking, bird
watching, and kayaking. The recreation area

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also features a visitor center with exhibits
on the lake's history and ecology, as

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well as a beach where you can
take a dip in the salty water.

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Although swimming is not recommended due to
the high pollution levels. Another musty attraction

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in the Salt and Sea area is
Salvation Mountain, a massive folk art installation

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created by local resident Leonard Knight.
The mountain is made entirely of adobe clay

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and donated paint, and features colorful
religious messages and symbols. Visitors can climb

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to the top of the mountain for
a stunning view of the surrounding desert landscape.

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For a more sobering look at the
Salt and Sea's history, head to

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the town of Bombay Beach, a
former resort community that now sits largely abandoned.

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Here you can wander through the ruins
of once grand vacation homes and motels

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and get a sense of the area's
by gone. The town has also become

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a magnet for artists and musicians,
who have transformed some of the abandoned buildings

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into impromptu galleries and performance spaces.
Of course, no visit to the Sultan

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Sea would be complete without experiencing its
incredible bird watching opportunities. The lake is

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a vital stopover point for migratory birds
and is home to over four hundred species,

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including rare and endangered species like the
Yuma clapper rail and the California brown

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pelican. The best time to visit
for bird watching is during the winter months,

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when thousands of birds flock to the
lake shores. As you can see,

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the Saltan Sea is a destination like
no other, a place where history,

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nature and art collide in unexpected and
sometimes startling ways. Whether you're a

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nature lover, a history buff or
simply a curious traveler seeking something off the

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beaten path, the Saltan Sea is
definitely worth a visit. So pack your

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sunscreen, your binoculars, and an
open mind and get ready to discover the

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strange and wonderful world of California's accidental
Sea. Next, let's explore another hidden

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gem in southern California's Colorado Desert,
the Aza Barrego Desert State Park. Located

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just to short drive from the Salt
and Sea, this vast and rugged park

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offers a completely different desert experience,
with towering mountains, scenic canyons, and

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a wide variety of plant and animal
life Onza Borrego is California's largest state park,

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spanning over six hundred thousand acres of
pristine desert wilderness. The park is

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named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista DeAnza
and the Spanish word Borego, meaning bighorn

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sheep, which are one of the
park's most iconic residents. One of the

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best ways to experience Onza Borrego is
by hiking one of the park's many trails,

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which range from easy nature walks to
strenuous backcountry tracks. The the most

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popular hikes is the Palm Canyon Trail, which takes you through a lush oasis

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filled with native California fan palms,
the only palm species native to the Western

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United States. Along the way,
you might spot some of the park's other

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residents, including road runners, chuck
wallas, and even the elusive peninsular bighorn

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sheep. Another must see attraction in
Asa Borego is the Galeta Meadows Sky Art

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Installation, a series of massive metal
sculptures scattered throughout the desert landscape. These

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incredible sculptures, created by artist Ricardo
Bersada, depict a variety of prehistoric creatures,

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including dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber
toothed cats, as well as more

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fantastical beasts like dragons and sea serpents. Visitors can drive or hike around the

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sculptures, which are especially striking at
sunset, when the metal glows in the

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warm desert light. For a more
immersive desert experience, consider camping in one

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of Aza Borrego's many campgrounds, which
range from develop sites with amenities like restrooms

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and picnic tables to primitive back country
sites that require a bit more self sufficiency.

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One of the most popular campgrounds is
Borego Palm Canyon, which offers easy

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access to hiking trails and stunning views
of the surrounding mountains. If you're visiting

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Annsa Barrego in the spring, you
might be lucky enough to catch the park's

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famous wildflower bloom, when the desert
comes alive with a stunning display of colorful

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flowers. The best time to see
the bloom varies from year to year,

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depending on rainfall and other factors,
but typically occurs between February and April.

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Some of the most common wildflowers you
might see include desert sunflowers, sand verbina,

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and the aptly named desert lily.
For a taste of the area's history

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and culture, be sure to visit
the town of Barrego Springs, which serves

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as the gateway to the park.
Here, you can browse local art galleries,

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shop for souvenirs, and dine at
one of the town's many restaurants,

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which offer everything from casual pubfare to
upscale farm to table cuisine. The town

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is also home to the Onza Barrego
Desert Natural History Association, which offers guided

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hikes, educational programs, and other
activities throughout the year. Whether you're a

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nature lover, a history buff or
simply a traveler looking for a unique and

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memorable desert experience, Anza Barrego Desert
State Park is definitely worth a visit.

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With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and endless opportunities for adventure, this

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hidden gem of southern California is sure
to leave a lasting impression. So pack

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your hiking boots, your camera,
and a sense of wonder and get ready

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to discover the rugged beauty of Annza
Barrego for yourself. I'm Joe Mitchell and

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travel is Back.