Overview
Salton City is a community along the shores of the Salton Sea in Imperial County in the California Desert. Despite being developed as a planned resort town with infrastructure meant to support 40,000 residents, fewer than 1,000 people lived in the area as of the 2000 census, leading some to refer to it as a modern ghost town. After a long period of population decline, the population of Salton City, the population has increased in the 21st century because of improvements to nearby highways and because of the land is much cheaper than in the rest of California. It has about 4,800 residents as of 2017. The area remains a desolate place for visitors, however.
1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 107°F; winter lows dip to about 41°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Salton Sea)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IPL Imperial County Airport, Imperial — 39 mi away. Directions
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs — 49 mi away (major hub). Directions
Salton City is approximately 50 miles from the Imperial County seat of El Centro and 110 and 115 miles respectively from the coastal San Diego County cities of Oceanside and San Diego.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Salton City was established in 1958 by developers who planned a huge resort community on the shores of the Salton Sea. An extensive road, water, sewer and power grid capable of supporting 40,000 residents on 12,000 residential lots was established, but as the Salton Sea evaporated and became more polluted the expected residents never arrived, and today empty lots and abandoned roads litter the area. Visitors will find upscale houses mixed with abandoned buildings, a large marina that no longer has enough water to support boating, and an extensive road network that can sometimes wash away after storms.
Get in
Salton City is approximately 50 miles from the Imperial County seat of El Centro and 110 and 115 miles respectively from the coastal San Diego County cities of Oceanside and San Diego.
Sleep
Most visitors will spend the night in nearby towns such as Indio, but houses can be rented through Airbnb.
Nearby
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Slab City
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Calipatria
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My experience
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