The Ski Inn at the Salton Sea – Bombay Beach, California

Ever wanted to say you’ve had a drink or a meal at the lowest bar in the western hemisphere? Well, you can, if you visit the Ski Inn, located in the post-apocalyptic town of Bombay Beach, California on the shores of the Salton Sea. Sitting 233 feet below sea level, this world-famous dive bar has even been visited Mr. Anthony Boudain himself (he had a patty melt!) But is the Ski Inn worth visiting? Let’s answer that question – read on!

Headed in to the Ski Inn

Ski Inn – Bombay Beach – Details

Location:
9596 Avenue A
Bombay Beach, CA 92257

If you’ve never been to the Salton Sea – in particular, the Bombay Beach area, you absolutely must go. Bombay Beach is a former resort town that had its heyday in the 50s and 60s, and now is a half a ghost town, half art installation. The Ski Inn is one of the few businesses still operating in the area – in fact, it’s the only bar & restaurant around for 45 miles!

Menu: The Ski Inn features very simple, homemade food. Think grilled cheese, fish ‘n chips (don’t worry, the fish is not from the Salton Sea!), homemade burgers and fries — you know, bar food. And it’s pretty good! Of course, the Ski Inn is a bar, so you can enjoy your favorite cocktail – we didn’t indulge, as we visited mid-day and had plenty of driving to do and other things to see.

Other: The Ski Inn is CASH ONLY. You’ll want to bring enough for whatever you’re eating and drinking (prices are very reasonable) and extra dollar bills to tape to the wall.

Ski Inn Bombay Beach California Dive Bar

Eating at the Ski Inn

This is a true honky tonk dive bar in every sense of the word. You’ve got a questionable-looking exterior (so questionable that the first few times I went to the Salton Sea, I was too chicken to actually go in here), and inside, it looks like a true roadhouse that hasn’t changed since the 70s. Dollar bills taped to the wall, an old-school jukebox, a piano, pool tables, and sketchy bathrooms. But it’s all good – this place is awesome!

We visited the Ski Inn in early July and there were quite a few people inside the bar, which was a bit surprising as this is the peak of ‘low season’ – tourists typically don’t visit the area this time of year (if at all!), and the desert snowbirds left months ago. We weren’t quite sure what to expect when we walked in, but we found the staff very welcoming and friendly, and happy to talk about the town.

Homemade burger and fries at the Ski Inn
Ski Inn Bombay Beach
Ski Inn Bombay Beach
Sittin’ at the bar at the Ski Inn (even the ceiling fan has dollar bills on it!)

The food was great – both my sister and I ordered burgers and fries. The burger was clearly homemade and the fries were perfect. After we enjoyed our meal, we signed the guestbook and each taped a dollar bill to the wall.

Other area attractions

The Salton Sea area is one of my favorite places to visit in the US (yes. Seriously!) and I feel that there is plenty of stuff to do here and I can’t list it all. The Salton Sea area is not for everyone though – it’s a desolate desert area that looks like a bomb went off.

Here are a few attractions:
Joshua Tree National Park – 50 minutes
Salvation Mountain – 25 minutes
International Banana Museum
– 20 minutes

My sister has her dollar bill up on the ceiling too
Pointing to my dollar bill on the wall! Will it still be there next time?
You have to sign the guestbook!

Ski Inn at the Salton Sea – Final Thoughts

Pros:
Fun, 70s-style true dive bar in a unique setting
Great food

Cons:
Cash only

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5 Comments

  1. Ciężko dobrać idealną zabawkę erotyczną dla każdego. Wibratory, dilda, pingwinki, każda z nas ma swoje własne preferencje, ale jest jedna zabawka, którą da się używać na wiele sposobów i przypadła do gustu ogromnej ilości kobiet. Jest to Lush od lovense.

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