Located on the San Andreas fault and positioned to receive agricultural drainage from valleys in southern California, the Salton Sea was originally formed in 1905 when a massive flood sent water surging from the upland Colorado River into the Salton Basin. Today, the towns surrounding the man-made lake are quieter than they were in earlier years, but the area is popular with campers, boaters, and daytrippers.
Visit the arid region on a day tour, or explore the area (at the meeting of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts) by bike. For a more relaxing experience, book a tour in an all-terrain vehicle and learn about the area’s geology, native plants and wildlife, and local history.