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.

70 years ago it was a great place for boating, fishing, water skiing, & camping.

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.

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.

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.

My dad would take us to Salten Sea early 60's, camp and fishing. Fond memories

I live in the coahella valley all my life and they been saying they were gonna fix it up forever. I still remember in the 90s when it was humid, the smell of the salton sea would blanket the entire valley smelling like rotten eggs.

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.

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.

Brilliant video! Bombay Beach certainly looked post-apocalyptic and the wind blowing added to the eerie atmosphere!

Im 70 and I recall the last time i visited was with my kids in 1997. It smelled bad, it was hot and very humid. It sounds as though it would make a good super fund clean-up area.

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.

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!!

Geography, History, Science, and evewn some good humor!! Great stream Joe ~n~ Nic!! Happy Saturday All!

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.

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...

It was definitely a cat, with a barking dog behind the fence. Great vlog. Time for lunch, seeing your meal. Looks delicious. Cheers both!

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.

Whoever did all of this art work you are very talented. hope whoever you are I bet you are watching this video.

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.

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😂

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.

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.

First time I drove through there, it was a bizarre experience. I don't know how anyone can bear to wake up each morning in a place like that and not blow their brains out. But hey, at least the sun shines almost every day!

Im from saudia .. Don't stop, my friend, your videos make me feel like I'm traveling even while I'm sitting in my living room

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.

I lived through over 70 years of The Salten Sea. Lots of experiences...I also sold avocado's all over the valley.

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!

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.

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.

Saw a movie filmed in Salton City called “Little Birds” starring Juno Temple. Was a depressing place to grow up which was the theme of the movie. Two teenagers trying to escape the misery of the area. After your tour it’s obvious there was good reason for that desire.

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! 👍😊

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!

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.

Your and Nicole’s meal looked and sounded amazing! Looked up the El Centro Burgers and Beer menu Wow! Anyway thank you again and the “Beat Goes On” !

To those of you who think this place looks amazing and quirky and you'd like to live here, just THANK GOD that smell-o-vison doesn't exist!!!

What an interesting trip wow. Food looked delicious! Great vlog. !!!!

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

Ok im from slab city been here for ... Well...long time. The poace you were at in the beginning is called "open air village" . Some of the art installations have been there decades. Unfortunately many people tend to break or " take mementos" but to those of is who live and love in these ..."badlands" ... Its sacared. Nice video pal. Be well

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Thank u Nicole and Joe. Another very interesting vid! And again the good looked awesome. Have fun out there and stay safe

This is by far the most interesting place I've seen you visit. I love the art exhibits, obviously created out of a sense of satire, poking fun at the corporate and municipal failures of that area. If in the future they do start mining lithium there, another environmental disaster will be in the making. Love your videos and all the off-the-beaten-path places you explore. It would be great if you could find people to explain what living in these places is like. It would give us an oral history as well as the visual one you provide.

Visiting that sight at night time will give completely different experience. Sure it will feel like being part of some horror movie or survival game.

I lived in Salton Sea Beach next wee town over, July and August were so hot and humid it was near unbearable.

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.

3 races mentioned. "Quite a mix, little bit of everything". 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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.😊❤

A very interesting video. The El Centro looks very nice with beautiful houses. Looking forward to your next video. Thanks Mr. Joe.

Love it when Nicole is with you! Many thanks for all your videos.

Keep up the good work! My husband and I love traveling the USA through you and Nic. The statistics you provide are great! Thank you!

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.

There are plans to start exploiting that environmentally sensitive area for lithium to make electric car batteries. If you read about the evaporation process of that lake, you'll learn that the dust can be toxic and if they start digging at it, they will create a dust bowl that will cover the entire valley. As odd as that area is, why do some people feel the need to ruin it for their greedy purposes?

Great coverage- such an interesting place never heard of! Great history story telling Joe

The process of refining Lithium also produces toxic byproducts. its just going to be a nasty cycle.

Calexico feels exactly like the aera I lived in Vegas - virtually all Latin, hard working people - and those beautiful palm trees. I miss that - thanks for these memories PS the meal in the end - that burger looks great!

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.

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!

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!

What an interesting place this is. I’ve never been to this area, but I certainly would love to go. Thanks for the tour.

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.

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.

In 1973 my husband and I plus several of our friends went camping at Salton Sea (slept in our cars) the next morning we had a wonderful breakfast at a golf course club house restaurant. It was kind of fancy but we must have looked awful having slept in our cars, but nobody said anything negative to us. After we ate we went swimming. I guess we were there right before it all went down hill. I just have nice memories of the place.

This is so interesting really weird place. Great video ❤

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.

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!! 😊

Wow😳I would have loved to see it when it was booming.😎

Great tour of Californias forgotten community, bordering Mexico and the US. You have done your homework definitely.

Visiting my grandparents during the summer months in the 1960's the area of Imperial Beach, San Diego (not far from Tijuana Mexico/border? had such a terrible smell, but no one knew exactly where the fishy stench was coming from and why, I was child back then, but I hated visiting San Diego area where my relatives reside because of the odor... Now I understand what happened, thanks to this video by Joe explaining the history... many thanks to a mystery solved.

In some cases art like you found is called Trash Art. I have a friend here in Alabama who made some awesome pieces using items of trash. Mostly from metal

What a fascinating insight. Thank you for educating me. Another amazing video. Keep up the good work! Thank you!!

I enjoy your channel and this vid is one of your best. Thanks for the history and concerns. The desert Southwest has so many water issues.

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.

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!

Don’t know how I came across this video, but I’m glad I did. I loved every second of your presentation. Both you guys were amazing. Thank you. Best wishes for you both and hope they’ll be more videos.

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.

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 regularly drive there from the Lake Elsinore area. I really enjoy taking a cruise around the lake. Usually going on the Bombay side 1st, and the Salton City side 2nd. Sometimes I might take the I-10 to get there, other times I take the CA-78 to get there. Goes from the mountains right down to below sea level desert.

I love you actually give the stats of the area. People with brains which is becoming rare, I appreciate the stats..

You can borrow those bikes but not rideable, that was very funny, Lol, thank you. Interesting history of the lake. I enjoy your videos.

I rode my bicycle around the Salton Sea several years ago & camped out at Bombay Beach near the submerged swing. Not much around. Wanted to say thanks to The American Legion Post 801 for filling up my canteens.

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

Awesome. It's like taking the adventure in the moment, with you, and your interesting narrative.Thank you!

Interesting video as always Joe ! I’ve never heard of SaltonLake before but it was quite an interesting place.

Lovely beach with lots of pollution everywhere.

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!

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 Weather" That's Hilarious🤣

Many art pieces in salton sea area start off at burning man. Slab city is srrange combination of hope and fear.

I remember seeing all of the dead fish when I was 6 in 1979. I will never forget the smell.

I worked on Geothermal plants on SE corner of Salton sea 1980s. Quite Interesting different part of world. El centro has had some of the largest EQ's in US. As you saw most buildings short. East side of Salton Sea gets Colorado River water. West side not! Crops grow in winter, Summer too hot. Ive seen 130 F at 10 pm. Blue Angels train there in winter. Holly Sugar factory at Brawley, silo has marking 70 ft +/-off ground marking sea level. Thank you.

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

I love seeing these roads less traveled.

Great overlook of the area. Gotta say... Nicola's beautiful red hair is stunning!

I love watching your videos it helps me with my geography and history about us thanks all the way from Ireland 🇮🇪

hello from France, excuse me for my bad English, it was one of my last destination in july 2023, Palm Springs, Bombay beach, Salvation mountain...