California Dreaming: We Visited The 2nd Poorest County In The State

We visited the Salton Sea and these California towns: Bombay Beach, Salton City, Calexico & El Centro.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Travel Vlog 302

[@scotty1004]

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

[@christinecopson5502]

I'm in UK too feel exactly the same

[@marilyneves8856]

And me!

[@barbaramarkham4736]

Me too, from Pitt Meadows, B.C. Canada 🍁 so grateful for Joe and Nicole

[@JulieWeinowski]

Me to ❤frm 🇬🇧

[@frankadams2401]

That is what I say.

[@rogerphillis4323]

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.

[@user-mq1uw5ht9k]

Young man you made my day

[@user-mq1uw5ht9k]

Ty

[@davidortega357]

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

[@poppy9400]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words. :)

[@poppybell8217]

Hello Poppy (from another Poppy)!

[@baileyjx418]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@BrianWeber-gt4ho]

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.

[@diane1390]

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.

[@hobbyelectronics6630]

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.

[@marilyneves8856]

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

[@chrisv9186]

It had Fallout vibes throughout.

[@josephriley2034]

Riverside county

[@marjorielloyd-waluye2502]

That what the end of the world looks like😮😊 Bombay Estates

[@ankhpom9296]

Bombay Beach such a sad and decrepit place.

[@lindsayweller3627]

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!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@adventuresinbandoland]

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.

[@vr6swp]

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.

[@chrisv9186]

It's so odd people decided to go there over the nearby Pacific Ocean.

[@bestchannelintheworld]

@@chrisv9186 the ocean is very cold for the latitude. No doubt the Salton sea was more pleasant to swim in when it was clean.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

@@bestchannelintheworld was it ever clean

[@califdad4]

​@@chrisv9186SoCal is a large place and people living in the Eastern areas of SoCal would be much closer to this over the ocean

[@user-lw7mw1cj5k]

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.

[@bridgeman11]

Slab City has got Salton Sea beat by a mile for "avant garde"! Off the chart!

[@zekrk504]

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

[@marilyneves8856]

I agree!

[@brendaowens2466]

I love it. Speed limit 45. So cool. Love the artwork.

[@bobc.7958]

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.

[@beyondthesea9648]

Super sweet date shake was delicious!

[@user-tf9zb2og3v]

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

[@bartphlegar8212]

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...

[@DT-sb9sv]

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.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

So a lot of grifters than

[@the.seagull.35]

I love it. Who says we all need to live in big cities... this is a different world, its cool to see.

[@sharimeline3077]

@@frederickmuhlbauer9477 🤣If you think that kind of person is automatically a grifter, you have problems

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

@@sharimeline3077 I didn’t say that and you have problems

[@sharimeline3077]

@@frederickmuhlbauer9477 You absolutely did.

[@pbs4535]

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

[@tararenner235]

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.

[@neiljohnson4763]

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

[@chrisv9186]

I laughed at that cat casually strolling by some barking dogs without a care in the world.

[@ruthlessgoat3702]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, and will do!

[@brenttoman5485]

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” !

[@dhouston9049]

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.

[@duncancallum]

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.

[@marywalker2896]

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

[@Madskillsuniversity]

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!

[@PattyHamilton-kv1pz]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@ruthlessgoat3702]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I totally agree. I've been to the area several times, and it fascinates me.

[@robolgatree5815]

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.

[@stephenmccandless5113]

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

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Salton Sea

[@renchjeep]

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!

[@wmalden]

Environmentalists will prevent mining lithium from ever happening. There will be years of studies, lawsuits and political wrangling.

[@annie_xo]

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!

[@warbirdwf]

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.

[@beyondthesea9648]

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. 😢

[@harrisonmantooth7363]

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

[@labrat4174]

All you need for time travel, a comfortable chair and a beer holder.

[@davidtate166]

Dust storms are bad for your lungs 🫁 I read .wear a mask on dusty days.

[@CarolynAnnFarmer]

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

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks for watching!

[@Turitea]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@analevak9858]

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!

[@WaskiSquirrel]

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.

[@sophsdtr]

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! 👍😊

[@NativeNYer]

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

[@janownes9676]

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

[@cindybogart6062]

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

[@user-sd6lt5cw8s]

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!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mikibihon8826]

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

[@krisrichardson6690]

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

[@christinecopson5502]

This is so interesting really weird place. Great video ❤

[@1Ceemarie]

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

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@CookingwithSyreetta]

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.

[@catlover614]

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.😊❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Many thanks, CL!!

[@gerardpully762]

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!

[@hghtrfnko8634]

I disagree. It looks like an absolute dump.

[@MelissaR784]

​@@hghtrfnko8634It is a dump. Abandoned homes, buildings left over from it's heyday.

[@josephhaddakin7095]

​@@hghtrfnko8634one man's trash is another's treasure.

[@RacerRoss]

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

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Can you smell it from over there

[@RacerRoss]

@@frederickmuhlbauer9477 No can’t smell it till about ten miles away thankfully 😅

[@kendallwo4323]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@kozzackkelt]

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.

[@katsiduzynski488]

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!! 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Our pleasure! 😀

[@catherinecepuder3520]

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!

[@jesseguzman67]

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.

[@crxk20r59]

I also worked at the sears in el centro at the old location when bob was there. 👍

[@jesseguzman67]

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

[@janyth1329]

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.

[@Slab_city_ghost_702]

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 survivors" but to those of is who live and love in these ..."badlands" ... Its sacared. Nice video pal. Be well

[@Nicksonian]

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.

[@thomasw.uttinger9194]

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.

[@gatorgogo2742]

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!

[@melindawallin3713]

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.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@robertbraun7155]

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

[@GarysnewYT]

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

[@cocolove3747]

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

[@joylynne1343]

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

[@plainandsimple2576]

I’m 60, I was raised in Southern California. Went to the Saltine Sea as a young child. The area has turned weird, lol it was great fun!

[@marthakierstead3415]

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

[@morganm9040]

Imperial County is a corner of California most people don't know exists. El Centro is the winter home for The Blue Angels. You missed Calipatria, California, the home to the world's tallest flag pole: 184' tall. Town elevation is -184'.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I visited Calipatria in my Slab City video, and yes, I stopped and looked at the flagpole in it.

[@morganm9040]

I stand corrected. I just watched that episode.

[@dr.ramanandan]

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

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

El Centro is way too HOT Was in 1964 when I traveled through there anyway

[@garycrathern2121]

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

[@HappyHands.]

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

[@beyondthesea9648]

I heard that Elon Musk purchased a lot of land in that area because of the massive amount of Lithium deposits.

[@theescottyb2250]

That property is about to explode once they start mining lithium for batteries, its supposed to be a honeypot.

[@seniorLu48]

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.

[@brenttoman5485]

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!

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

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.❤😊

[@jennylynn82173]

And agreed! Serious Mad Max setting going on here! Wild!

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

great video thanks for sharing joe and Nic 👍

[@ciaranrussell940]

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

[@aliciabousquet3891]

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

[@methylbenzodiazepine]

I love seeing these roads less traveled.

[@paulmadkow9143]

We used to have a pig roast every year just west of Salton City on BLM land with my coworkers from San Diego in the early 2000s. I remember when they put those new houses in. Crazy.

[@RobinGerhart]

What a contrast, thank you! ❣️

[@kathywebb6606]

Thanks for the cool road trips! I dislike the desert in general, but those blue skies over Salton City are to die for ❤❤

[@patm5594]

Very interesting area, especially those first few communities

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Salton City is a classic example of "What if you threw a party, and no one came?"

[@janetdonkersloot9393]

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!

[@apollomoon1]

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.

[@jansliger8655]

I wish you would visit 29 Palms CA. I lived there as a kid. The town could have been a reality show. So many affairs and politics were centered around the 29 Palms Inn. I would love to see what it looks like now.

[@xfirehurican]

Indeed. Back in the early 80s, "The Stumps" (in Marine Corps jargon) was primarily a military village governed by a mix of 'pioneer' families and a few military retirees; when the 29 Palms Inn was THE place to be on a Friday night for us locals. Sadly, the restaurant/bar now caters mainly to tourists with deeper pockets than the average resident. On the bright side, the city is very well run, the ramshackle look along Hwy 62 and Adobe Rd is gone - now cleaner, and I'd say a lot more appealing, than both Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree.

[@stevenmoser7233]

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

[@juneyshu6197]

Not much hope.

[@stevenmoser7233]

@juneyshu6197 true but it's interesting.

[@mckap1990]

Love this video! I’m from El Centro and have lived in Imperial County all my life. Nice to see someone interested in this part of California that few people even know about. Burgers and Beer is indeed one of the best restaurants here, those cucumber chalupas are so good! My fave! Thanks for coming out! ❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! I actually really love it there. It's beautiful.

[@sharisimonehampton5434]

Its great to see work being done at the border. Love the heigth of those walls too. This was a very informative video. I enjoyed very much. Not any boring or repetitive film. Love to see more. California resident looking for some worthy roadtrips. Thanks. 😉👍❤

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

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.

[@jeffbangkok]

Another interesting ride along

[@josephhaddakin7095]

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.

[@julieroman1359]

Love your travel videos and you have an amazing voice. My mother and I are hooked to your videos

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!!

[@harrisfogel1697]

I taught photography in Palm Desert for a decade, and if there was one thing we were all tired of, were photographs of the Salton Sea, "Inspiration Mountain", and "Slab City". It got to be a joke that when students made images there, which face it, we all had to, just to work them out of our system, that it was if you could locate the exact holes made by tripods, the images were mostly so similar. The majority of the images were basically the same. A few folks managed to make it their own, but jeez... interesting environmental concerns about non-native bodies of water, with concentrations of pollution. California has a history of doing terrible things to lakes, consider what happened to Owens Lake. I don't know how I feel about the Salton Sea, but it represents an uneasy alliance with nature. And yes, easy to photograph. The original Slab City folks were basically just trying to escape rents, and were somewhat loners, with the occasional meet up, but folks wanted their privacy, and to live without regulations. This didn't always go well. Over the past thirty years, there was more of a creative aspect, and younger population. Advances like cell phones, internet access, and solar power, changed the vibe in a huge way. The few times I spent the night back in the 80s and early 90s there, it was rough, really rough. But more folks with money started arriving. Different feel. Still, not for everyone! I think the Burning Man aesthetic plays into this current version. Thanks for the swell video!

[@petermiller114]

Small correction. Salvation Mountain, not inspiration. 👍

[@harrisfogel6992]

@@petermiller114 thanks! Oops! You are my salvation!

[@kcn-qt6fc]

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?

[@uhycsak4444]

Hmm, you really needed to ask that question at the end? You should have known by now, that some of the politicians and businessmen like to create as much destruction and suffering as possible. The electric cars are actually more dangerous to the environment than the fossil fuel cars... but psshhh, the people don't know this 😮🤐🤫 You made a great comment otherwise and I agree with you.

[@johnnyzippo7109]

I really enjoy your content , overall fit and finish is very good , much appreciated.

[@williamcasella4145]

I love your videos. They are so informative and entertaining. Thanks so much from Boxford, Ma.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!