Major city · United States
Bombay Beach
Go for a half-day detour from the Salton Sea loop: see the sunken trailer park, walk the berm, and leave before dark. Not a base.
Bombay Beach is a tiny, half-abandoned town on the east shore of the Salton Sea, famous for a trailer park half-sunk by the rising and falling water levels in the 1980s. The main sight is a berm and the remains of that park, with power poles sticking out of the water. There is no proper restaurant, no hotel, and little shade. Most visitors stop for 30–60 minutes on the way between Indio and El Centro or as part of a Salton Sea / Slab City day trip. Come for the eerie, post-industrial landscape, not for a meal or a night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, over 40°C (104°F))avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, over 104°F (40°C))
- Airports
- PSP · IPL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bombay Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bombay Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyExtreme summer heat is the main hazard.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPSP Palm Springs International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive north via CA-111).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive north via CA-111) · IPL Imperial County Airport (About 45 min drive south; limited commercial flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bombay Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is a few blocks along CA-111; the sunken trailer park is at the south end of Avenue E, reachable by a short walk on dirt.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
CA-111 north then East Jesus Rd, about 15 min
Combine with Bombay Beach for a half-day Salton Sea loop.
Salton City
goDoor to door: 30 min
CA-111 south across the sea, about 25 min
More services and a marina.
Door to door: 50 min
CA-111 south, about 45 min
Full services, motels, and the Imperial County seat.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bombay Beach itself
No hotels; a few rental cabins may be available (check Airbnb).
El Centro
About 45 min south; full motel selection.
Palm Springs / Indio
About 1 h north; resorts and hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $0–10 (no accommodation, bring own food)
- Mid
- $10–30 (snacks, gas, possible cabin)
- High
- $30+ (rental cabin, dining in nearby towns)
Trip budget
| No beds in town2 × 1 night × US$0 | US$0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$1 | US$2 |
| Gas from Coachella or Niland1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Water and snacks2 × US$5 | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$3 |
| Trip total≈ US$18 per person per day, bed included | US$35 |
Sleep in El Centro, Palm Springs or Indio.
2026 estimate in USD; no accommodation or meals in Bombay Beach itself.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (bring from outside)No store in town. | $2–3 (check) |
| Gas (fill up before arriving) | $4–5 per gallon (check) |
| Snack (packed) | $5–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in town; fill up in Coachella or Niland.
- No food or drink for sale; bring water and snacks.
- Summer heat is dangerous: carry at least 2 L of water per person, wear a hat, and avoid midday.
- The sunken trailer park is on private land? check access; stay on the berm and do not enter structures.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Bombay BeachBombay Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US consulate is in Tijuana, Mexico; embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Palm Springs → Bombay Beach by car: about 1 h 15 min, CA-111 south
- El Centro → Bombay Beach by car: about 45 min, CA-111 north
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the sunken trailer park? — Where is the sunken trailer park? (south end of Avenue E)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bombay Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, over 40°C) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the sunken trailer park and the Salton Sea shoreline with verified access and safety notes.
- Eat pages in Niland, Calipatria and El Centro with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the CA-111 corridor.
Sources
Ask about Bombay Beach
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