Bombay Beach, Ghost town at Salton Sea, California, US.

Bombay Beach is a census-designated place on the east shore of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California, 223 feet below sea level. At the water's edge, a long ruined structure of pale, salt-encrusted concrete stands in two sections with a gap between them. Inland, a metal-ribbed shed with a stripped roof and damaged side panels sits on cracked ground, debris scattered around its base.

Bombay Beach became a popular beach destination in the 1950s, when resorts along the Salton Sea drew about half a million tourists a year and celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby visited. Runoff carrying salty chemicals raised the lake's salinity, and by the early 1980s wildlife could no longer survive; odor, health fears and flooding drove most residents out. A berm built in the 1970s protected the west end of town, while the part beyond it was submerged or half-buried in mud.

Since 2016 the town has hosted the Bombay Beach Biennale each spring, when artists, academics, writers and filmmakers create work, give lectures and stage happenings among the abandoned structures. The Ski Inn is the only bar and restaurant in town.

The nearest shops and gas stations are in other towns along the lake, so visitors should bring supplies before arriving. Walking through the streets requires sturdy footwear, as the ground is a mix of sand, gravel, and salt.

In some empty homes, televisions are stacked to the ceiling, while painted vintage cars stand on lots as silent monuments. These open-air artworks remain visible year-round and change with weather and time.