Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden California follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
10565 Highway 111
Niland, CA 92257
33.423957, -115.835334
Dog-Friendly: During mild weather, yes Kid-Friendly: Yes
About the Abandoned Homes of Salton City
Article by Allison Garton: Former private marina, now a haunting graveyard of boats. Eerie, dusty, creepy, especially when explored in the evening by car headlights. Shadows twist and play tricks on a susceptible mind. There is a powerful smell of death; old and fresh.
Last owned by Bob Granillo, Bob’s Rivera Playa was another victim of the Salton Sea’s swelling and shrinkage. Many area marinas sued the Imperial County Irrigation District in the early 1980s to recover a portion of their lost investment. Looking at old maps, and playing on Google Earth, you can see the dramatic rise and fall of the waters and what little remains.
Directions: Turn off of Highway 111 to the west on unsigned Crooker/Tilapia Road roughly 1/4 mile north of Corvina Mobile Estates. Drive slowly and pay attention.
Personal Experience
We did not even begin to scrape the surface of all the abandoned buildings and homes out here. It truly feels post-apocalyptic and it is so creepy! One gets the feeling that there have been many disposals of bodies out here….. If you happened to go to this page and not the Salton Sea page, please head over there next because you’ll definitely want to explore it while you’re out there.
This is such a mysterious and eerie place but very intriguing! What I am gathering so far is drugs are rampant out here and the rules are scarce. Be careful and do not go alone.
We will be back–hopefully soon to unmask more of the long-forgotten stories. We found a boat graveyard when it was nighttime, so unfortunately I only got one good shot of the place. Next time!
Here’s a quick documentary on Slab City, one of the mini “towns” in Salton City:
There was this one area FILLED with seagulls. It was so bizarre!
This looks SO similar to Chris McCandless’ bus from Into the Wild!
Check out our other site too!
That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Be certain to keep writing. dfaedacefg
This is amazing! I have a lot out there and never knew of this location. How long ago did you stop by?
I have some similar photos from 2 separate trips last spring. I can’t wait until it cools down again so I can go back – the Salton Sea is an amazing and unique place to photograph.
I love this place! I just bought a 42 foot Chris Craft I want to get shipped here from Rhoad Island. Of course God gave me Revelation of how to fix the Salton Sea.
I plan on going here soon to explore…Think it’s possible to stay overnight?
The buildings here have since been razed to their foundation. Nothing is left