Salton Sea State Recreation Area - Mecca, California

Address: 100225 State Park Rd, Mecca, CA 92254.
Phone: 603933059.
Website: parks.ca.gov.
Specialties: State park, Park, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Onsite services, Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Hiking, Barbecue grill, Picnic tables, Public restroom, Good for kids, Kid-friendly hikes, Dogs allowed.
Opinions: This company has 1556 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.1/5.

Location of Salton Sea State Recreation Area

603933059

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is a state park that offers a unique and fascinating experience for visitors. Located at , this tourist attraction is a must-visit for anyone in the area.

One of the standout features of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area is its wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the park. The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, barbecue grill, picnic tables, and public restrooms. It's a great place for kids, with kid-friendly hikes and plenty of space to run around. Dogs are also allowed, so you can bring the whole family.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including several endangered species. Visitors can often see birds such as pelicans, cormorants, and egrets, as well as fish such as tilapia and corvina. The park also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and mountains.

In terms of location, the Salton Sea State Recreation Area is situated in the Colorado Desert, about an hour and a half drive from Palm Springs. The park is open year-round, and visitors are advised to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the desert can get very hot.

When it comes to online presence, the Salton Sea State Recreation Area has a website (parks.ca.gov>) where visitors can find information about the park, including hours of operation, fees, and activities. The park also has a presence on Google My Business, with . The rating is a testament to the quality of the park and the positive experiences of previous visitors.

Reviews of Salton Sea State Recreation Area

Salton Sea State Recreation Area - Mecca, California

Stephen Lee

5/5

The officers were very nice in giving my family and I tips on how to navigate the area. Very cool spot. CA never gets old with new things to see! The ground starts to get very soft when you walk towards the water. There is a fresh water lagoon on the tip of the sea where birds nest and swim.

Amy iSellHomes Braun

1/5

We drove well over an hour for a scenic and relaxing kayak trip and swimming. When we arrived, it was almost abandoned. As we pulled up in the parking lot by the lake I noticed an old sign posted and opened the door to walk up and read it. We were greeted with a strong stench and completely frustrated when the sign advised due to algae and contamination there was no swimming or boating. This should definitely have been noted / updated on the website we used to plan our day. Would never go back! Not sure how turtle photo got uploaded but I’ll leave it on behalf of all the suffering fish and wildlife in that nasty water…

Cary W

4/5

Beauty 5. Stuff to do 2. Smell 1 (horrible). Uniqueness 5. Would I come again? not by choice. But really glad I saw it before it's dried up or destroyed to mine lithium.

Bill Carpenter (Try2SeeItAll)

4/5

I was in Phoenix the night before checking off another baseball stadium and state capitol building. I had to get back to the San Diego area where I was staying with a friend. I knew from the map I was going to be close to a unique ecosystem that shows up as a big blue spot in the middle of the desert where I had never been. Although both the thermometer in my rental car and my phone read 109 degrees, I put it into the navigation system on my phone to check it out. I didn't give it five stars because of the heat, but it was interesting and something I am glad I saw for myself.

When I pulled into the large parking lot at the visitor center, I was the only one there other than people who were being paid to be there. Robert was the staff member on duty and we had an excellent conversation on the place in air-conditioned comfort. I learned a lot. Hopefully I can make it back again when the wildlife is more plentiful and the temperature is suitable for hiking. No question about it-- the drive to get there and the detour that Robert recommended through the mountains to the town of Julian (where the temperature was in the low 70's) on my way to the coast was worth it!

Valérie Lent

5/5

This is paradise for birders, in the winter. We visited in January during the week, and the visitor center was closed, but there are a few signs around the building, a large parking lot, a restroom, and you can walk around and do bird watching right there. There's a day use area which is perfect for a picnic while enjoying the view of the lake. Unfortunately sime of the sites were taken by camper vans that were apparently staying there overnight, so that limited the number of available tables/ spots.

Glenn Martin

5/5

First visit. We loved it. But it is very rustic and quirky. Fantastic graffiti all over. Don't go if you don't like those things.

We saw burrowing owls along Merkley Road. Got that info at the Visitor's Centrr from a really friendly and helpful ranger.

The Mud Pots were really fun to see. Kids would love them, but be warned the fresh mud is VERY hot.

Sculptures and abandoned buildings everywhere. Fantastic light.

Summer must be brutal out there!

Ksenia Postolnik

5/5

Discovering this tranquil spot was a pleasant surprise on our journey. It's an ideal and quiet place to pause for an hour, enjoy a picnic by the sea, and soak in the serene surroundings. The added convenience of available showers and impeccably clean restrooms enhances the overall experience. A brief but rejuvenating stop that provides a peaceful respite during a long day of travel.

Mike Smith

3/5

We stayed here for three nights as a change from the desert scene. The New Campground is nice for what we need. Sites are mostly on parking lots with some electric or full-hookup throughout. There are some nice Tamerisk trees for tent camping.

Walking on the beach area wasn't as pleasant as we had hope. It's somewhat quicksand-like as you try to get closer to the water. And of course, the smell of sea water is typical due to high salanity and algae decomposition.

The drawback is that you're near CA-111 highway and the railroad track, so it's a bit noisy. If you're looking for solitude, then this isn't for you.

A positive note is that we hiked the Painted Canyon nearby, so this is worth the stay alone. Highly recommend visiting that area.