Indio & El Centro, California Gateway to the Salton Sea
Staff writer
S N O W B I
R D S
A mere 30 miles south of Indio on Highway 111, and a little more than 50 miles from the El Centro region, lies the infamous Salton Sea, a majestic water-scape that provides home to a national bird sanctuary that supports a major artery for bird migratory routes that cross over the Sonoran Desert and Salton Sea.
The Sea, however, is not a natural occurrence. During the early 1900s, man, in his infinite wisdom, set about diverting waters of the Colorado River to provide for agricultural irrigation in the Imperial Valley. The runoff and a subsequent canal breach flowed into a natural basin and helped to form what is now the Salton Sea. The area has been a huge attraction since the 1940’s when it became a popular place for land and water speed trials. These speed trials are now an American Institution.
It’s low barometric pressure and heavy water density – or high buoyancy - make the Salton Sea the fastest body of water in the world for time trials and boat racing. The elevation of 227 feet below sea level with the water containing 25 percent more salt content than the ocean, makes the Salton Sea a boat racer’s dream.
INDIO Indio itself is in the Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran and lies adjacent to the Salton Sink. It’s also a stones throw from
the historic Lake Cahuilla in the Lower Colorado River Valley basin. Indio houses the aforementioned official National Bird Sanctuary in addition to a plethora of other annual attractions that make this an excellent and entertaining year-round destination.
The Motorcoach Country Club at Indio is an excellent place to set up base-camp and features all of the luxuries you would expect to find at a 5-star resort. Facilities here can accommodate up to Class A motor homes 30 feet or longer. RV lot rentals are offered by the day the week or the month.
From the late 1940s, this City of Festivals has become widely known. Other attractions near Indio that are definitely worth noting: dozens of annual festivals and special events including the National Date Festival, the world-famous Indio International Tamale Festival - held each December on the streets of Old Town, and the Riverside County Fair, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field, the Family Motor Coach Association’s Annual Western Region RV Rally, the Cabazon Indian National Pow Wow, the Palm Springs Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show, and the Stagecoach - a two-day country music festival held the weekend following the Coachella, just to name a few. The Grandstand Arena Stadium is the site for live music concerts, 4x4 monster truck rallies, rodeos, and camel races.
rvsnowbirds.com
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