While Southern California is known for its pristine beaches and sandy shores, not every place has such beautiful scenery. As you head east into Death Valley, there’s a creepy desolate resort town in Mecca, California that has an entire beach made of fishbones. Known for its high concentration of salts and toxic water, The Salton Sea has a mysterious past that doesn’t leave much alive in its path.
A great place to start your visit to the Salton Sea is at the visitor center, where you can learn about the interesting history of the sea and the surrounding town.
Steve5863/Tripadvisor Believe it or not, you can see old photographs from when it was a vacation destination. These days, visitors come each year to see the bizarre sea and explore the remnants of the past.
The Salton Sea was formed in 1905 when the Colorado River flooded into the Salton Bason in Imperial Valley.
SassyGirlJenna729/Tripadvisor Over the years, since the water has no natural outlet, it can only evaporate. This has led to an extremely high concentration of salts in the water.
Due to the toxicity of the lake and lack of oxygen, fish end up suffocating and dying at the lake.
Valentina B/Tripadvisor The consistently high 110-degree temperatures cause the lake to heat up, which triggers algae blooms in the water. These blooms use up a lot of oxygen, not leaving much for the fish. Saltwater also carries less oxygen than fresh water.
This devastating effect of the water has left a haunting beach made of dead fish and their bones.
John S/Tripadvisor Just over 20 years ago, it was reported that an estimated 7.6 million fish died in one day at the Salton Sea.
It’s hard to imagine that the area was once a resort town where tourists vacationed along the water.
Jodie O/Tripadvisor Now, the Salton Sea is saltier than the ocean and smells of rotten eggs, due to the hydrogen sulfide coming from the water. It’s not exactly the dream getaway anymore!
This isn’t the type of sand you want to stick your toes in.
Kathy K/Tripadvisor Crushed pieces of barnacles, shells, and fishbones make up the sand on the shore of the sea. Years of dead fishbones and lake life have washed ashore and have become a permanent attraction to the area. It’s definitely a creepy sight to see.
You certainly don’t come across a beach made of fishbones every day. While this is not the kind of shore you want to hang out on and get a suntan, but it can be a fascinating place to visit and sightsee.
Steve5863/Tripadvisor
Believe it or not, you can see old photographs from when it was a vacation destination. These days, visitors come each year to see the bizarre sea and explore the remnants of the past.
SassyGirlJenna729/Tripadvisor
Over the years, since the water has no natural outlet, it can only evaporate. This has led to an extremely high concentration of salts in the water.
Valentina B/Tripadvisor
The consistently high 110-degree temperatures cause the lake to heat up, which triggers algae blooms in the water. These blooms use up a lot of oxygen, not leaving much for the fish. Saltwater also carries less oxygen than fresh water.
John S/Tripadvisor
Just over 20 years ago, it was reported that an estimated 7.6 million fish died in one day at the Salton Sea.
Jodie O/Tripadvisor
Now, the Salton Sea is saltier than the ocean and smells of rotten eggs, due to the hydrogen sulfide coming from the water. It’s not exactly the dream getaway anymore!
Kathy K/Tripadvisor
Crushed pieces of barnacles, shells, and fishbones make up the sand on the shore of the sea. Years of dead fishbones and lake life have washed ashore and have become a permanent attraction to the area. It’s definitely a creepy sight to see.
With all of its strange character, would you visit the Salton Sea? Learn more about the abandoned town of Bombay Beach and why it’s the creepiest town in Southern California.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Salton Sea, California, USA
