Unlikely California and Nevada Spots for Artists

Hi there, after 5 trips to the American West, where should we go in May 2025? My last stay in SF ended badly for me (diabetes flare-up, hospitalization after returning to France), but my wife insists on SF and places we haven’t seen yet... so I’ve decided to skip the big parks and head for some offbeat spots instead... So, SF, then south to the crossroads where James Dean died. No luck—roadworks everywhere, impossible to stop—but I’d noted we could check out the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield and its bar before heading to Bakersfield.

The next day in L.A.....the lady insists heavily on going to Hollywood Blvd to see the stars....Personally, L.A. holds no interest for me except for the Laurel Canyon Country Store, where Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jim Morrison, Mama Cass, Joni Mitchell, and others used to grab a bite.





A quick tour of the city before heading full south. Destination: the Salton Sea....and its lost artists... First stop: Bombay Beach and its rotten fish smell..



- an abandoned seaside resort due to pollution, where a few eccentric locals still survive

We’re heading south next to visit Salvation Mountain, a mountain built by a local "postman artist" using straw bales over 25 years.











After a few miles, we finally reach East Jesus... a place that blends a public dump with artistic creation.

We skirt the Salton Sea to the southwest to reach Anza-Borrego Park and its animal statues.

Heading north to Joshua Tree City, where Miss Crochet set up her cabin over 20 years ago.





We pass Barstow to reach Liberty Sculptures Park, dedicated to the struggle of Asian peoples against communism.







Nothing about the Vietnam War, where Harry Bosch, the hero of Michael Connelly’s novels, fought on his favorite road.

Can’t arrive in South Las Vegas without a pilgrimage to these seven colorful columns in the middle of the desert—the Seven Magic Mountains.

Las Vegas—we skip the hideous Strip to explore the Arts District







Pilgrimage to Fremont



and its local performers

We’re skirting Death Valley and heading back to Rhyolite, a ghost mining town where some quirky statues stand.









And a house made of bottles.





Before heading to a very unique forest....

Goldfield...













A small town in the middle of nowhere where artists have left their mark.

Hello,

Thanks for this little travel journal—places like Liberty Sculptures Park were new to me, and it’s given me some great ideas!

And Udo Rondinone’s colorful blocks in Las Vegas are now on my list of things to see! 😊

I love the sculptures in Anza Borrego. They're made by Ricardo Breceda, an artist who has an open-air gallery at this address: 44450 CA-79, Aguanga, CA 92536, United States

His exhibit is incredible! You can visit for $20 and you leave with a small sculpture for that price...