Groceries are also an issue. You'll have to drive up to a big box store in Indio to shop. All of the local options are little more than low-end convenience stores.

There have been a number of these articles and videos about the Salton Sea on the internet in the last few years. I can only think that most are based on what other people have posted on the internet without actually going there.

The reason I say this is because almost none mention the SMELL of the region. It's terrible, and I once lived in a small valley with a paper mill.

It's like living 24/7 with a kiddie pool full of dead fish in your yard. Because that's quite literally what it is. When you go to a "beach," it's not sand. It's billions and billions of not very ground up fish bones you're walking on. Just squat down and take a look.

There's infrastructure near the sea leftover from the heydays.

Many of the locals don't want increased popularity and all the problems that tends to bring, so don't expect a red carpet.

Edit: oh and there are annoying flies that bite

The High Desert is way nicer, go to Joshua Tree instead.