Picture
Salton Sea Itinerary

Note: Times in the itinerary are guidelines. Light and conditions may change, so we may adjust on the fly. The goal is great photos and a fun experience — not a rigid schedule. Be ready to roll with it!
​-Carpooling between locations recommended.

Sunrise 6 AM
Sunset 4:45PM


NOV 7  Friday – Arrival & Sunset Shoot

⏰ 3:00 PM – Main Group Meet-Up
Brawley Inn Hotel & Conference Center 575 W Main St, Brawley, CA 92227
  • Check-in, regroup
  • Quick orientation for weekend plans
⏰ 3:30 PM – Depart for Sunset Location
  • Bombay Beach Avenue E, Niland, CA 92257
  • 45min drive from Brawley Inn
  • Sunset 4:45
⏰ 5:30 PM – Return to Brawley
  • Group dinner at The Burger and I (next to Brawley Inn)
NOV 8 Saturday – Full-Day Wildlife, Culture & Art
⏰ 6:00 AM – Sunrise Wildlife Shoot
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge Unit 2 Vendel Rd, Brawley, CA 92227
  • 20min drive from Brawley Inn
  • Photo ops: Egrets, herons, snow geese, and sweeping sunrise vistas
⏰ 8:00 AM – Breakfast
Buckshot Deli and Diner 8120 CA-111, Niland, CA 92257
  • 10-15min drive from Sonny Bono Refuge
  • Classic American diner vibe
  • Cozy, unpretentious atmosphere—perfect for a group breakfast after an early morning photo shoot.
⏰ 9:30 AM – Color & Culture Stops
Salvation Mountain Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257
  • 10min drive from Buckshot Diner
  • Vibrant, hand-built art installation
East Jesus/House of Dots
  • 5 min drive
  • Eccentric art community with dynamic photo ops
⏰ 12:30 PM – Lunch
  • Return to Brawley for a casual lunch (TBD) 20-30min drive from East Jesus
⏰ 2:30 PM – Afternoon/Evening Shoot
Bombay Beach Avenue E, Niland, CA 92257
  • 45min drive from Brawley Inn
  • Bombay Beach Drive-in
  • Dramatic landscapes, abandoned structures, Art installations
  • Sunset 4:45
⏰ 5:30 PM – Return to Brawley
  • Group dinner at Las Chabelas Mexican Restaurant 749 S Brawley Ave, Brawley, CA 92227 (760) 351-2991


NOV 9 Sunday – Departure Day
  • Optional casual group breakfast (TBD)
  • Head home at your own pace or revisit locations.​
Field Tips
Salvation Mountain
What it is: A giant folk art installation built by Leonard Knight, made of adobe, straw, and thousands of gallons of brightly painted latex paint.
Rules & Respect:
  • Stay on marked paths — much of the mountain is fragile and unsafe to walk on.
  • Do not climb to restricted areas (paint and adobe can crumble).
  • No touching or peeling paint.
  • Photography is welcome, but be mindful not to block narrow pathways.
Practical Notes:
  • Open during daylight hours; no admission fee (donations welcome).
  • There are usually volunteers onsite who can answer questions.


East Jesus (in Slab City)
What it is: An experimental art installation community filled with large-scale outdoor sculptures, found-object art, and thought-provoking pieces.
Rules & Respect:
  • It is a living art space, not a formal museum — treat it with respect.
  • Don’t climb on the art unless signs specifically say it’s allowed.
  • Ask permission if photographing people (artists or residents).
  • Dogs and belongings of residents are common — give space.
Practical Notes:
  • Donation jar at the entrance helps support the artists.
  • Desert environment: can be very hot, dusty, and uneven ground.
  • Cell service is spotty; stay with the group.


General Tips for Both
  • Bring water, hat, sunscreen — shade is limited.
  • Respect the communities: both sites are near Slab City, an off-grid community — be courteous and cautious.
  • Good shoes: ground is uneven, sometimes with debris.
  • Be flexible — both places are quirky and may have changing art or blocked-off areas.