Super friendly locals. Luke the bartender is great. 10/10

Exceeded my expectations. Food was great, locals at the bar and owner were very welcoming. They also sell t shirts for $25

A treasure. The crowd and bartender Carol are super chill, the food is tasty, good vibes all around. Make sure to bring a dollar to sign and tape up!!

Great place! Cash only, the jukebox cost 5 dollars to play a full album. They give you supplies to write on a one dollar bill and paste it on the wall! Cheap drinks, vibes great!

One of the few businesses that still draws in a gathering by the infamous Salton Sea. The bartender made me a pineapple vodka and humoured me with life advice and light-hearted banter. Can't vouch for their food but I can certainly say that this place is one of a kind. (Am not reviewing this place in comparison to big city quality). Nonetheless, it was a great choice as a pit stop after a long day of exploration to recalibrate. Defaced a dollar bill and stuck it on the wall close to the bar (as is tradition) to commemorate my first time at this establishment and in this region of Imperial county! The service itself was enough for all 5 stars! ⭐

This was such an unexpectedly awesome experience! Bombay Beach was a ghost town on a hot summer afternoon but this bar was happening. We got martinis, which were delicious, and some Parmesan fries, which were a 10/10!

If you're in Bombay Beach, stop in. Food and drinks and a fun quirky atmosphere

Great little place...good food friendly service and patrons. Its a must see

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – A Must Visit Dive Bar at the Bottom of the World!!! ❤️🎿👌 If you're in Southern California and craving an experience that's as raw and real as it gets, make the pilgrimage to The Ski Inn. Not only is it the lowest bar in the Western Hemisphere, sitting at an astonishing 223 feet below sea level, but it's also a living relic of Americana, defying both time and geography. Walking into the Ski Inn feels like stepping into a parallel universe where salt crusts the land, the desert meets a forgotten sea, and locals greet you like family. It’s hard to believe you’re this far below sea level and still above ground—but that’s just part of the magic.✨️ The walls are covered in signed dollar bills, like the bar’s own quirky wallpaper of memories. The food? Delicious in that no frills, hearty, soul satisfying way. The patty melt is a must. Fries are golden perfection. The drinks are icy cold, which hits especially well after wandering nearby Salvation Mountain, East Jesus or the eerie remains of Bombay Beach. The locals here are legends, some born storytellers, others just happy to chat about life in one of California’s weirdest and most wonderful pockets. They're what make the Ski Inn more than just a bar, it’s a community hub, an oasis in the middle of nowhere. 🌴 Even Anthony Bourdain couldn’t resist the charm, he visited while filming "No Reservations," drawn to the same offbeat beauty and humanity that pulls in every curious traveler. Nature, too, plays its part: nearby lies the Salton Sea, a saline lake created by accident in 1905, now a surreal mirror reflecting the vast sky. Birds still migrate here in massive numbers, defying the odds, just like this bar & the Salton Sea. They should be protected at all costs. If you're looking for somewhere weird, welcoming, and wonderfully authentic, the Ski Inn is it. A drink here is a toast to resilience, weird science, and the beautifully bizarre soul of the California desert.

+2

The food is exactly what you think it would be. Greasy and fried in old oil. But it's kind of perfect for this place. The servers/bartender was great and super friendly. Put a dollar on the wall, played a little broken and out of tune piano and shot some pool.

Really friendly people, nice music and good simple food served until 8pm. The atmosphere is very warm and I ended up chatting to some interesting characters who I'll never forget. It's a place I would go every weekend if I wasn't so far away.

Cool little dive bar and restaurant that has been open since the 60's. Excellent food.

+6

Hands-down my favorite bar in all of California. The ambiance is 10/10, the prices are almost as low as the bar’s elevation, the food and drinks do not disappoint, and the crowd is an eclectic mix of long-time locals, snowbirds, slabbers, tourists, and whoever else wanders in. Also, tip Carol generously as she is an absolute GODDESS.

The Ski Inn’s atmosphere is great, the patrons and bartender were all friendly and welcoming people

Excellent service! We had great margaritas. They had a larger food menu than I was expecting and everyone was raving about how delicious it was. There was a combination of tourists and locals, which was delightful! I absolutely can't wait to go back. We only planned time for a very quick stop in, and I would have much rather stayed for a meal and maybe a drink or two.

Very cool bar to visit with great food and fantastic service.

+5

Always a great time at the Ski! The owners are great people, great food, and always a welcoming crowd. I love this place!

+1

Mom and Pop style place reminded me of my youth. Great crowd with interesting people. Hope to go again!!

Love this place. Came back 48 hrs after my first visit. Felt very welcomed. The price is right here too!

Had the Patty melt and fries, it was simply amazing as well as the staff! Listened to a little Willie Nelson out on the back deck area and chatted with the man watering the plants. All in all was just a great break from exploring the town, thanks!!!

10/10 meal, very homey feeling. Staff so friendly!

I ride a motorcycle, so went for lunch from Indio. Great new asphalt rode, so lovely trip. Lunch was awesome, the best part is it's uniqueness. Money all over the walls and a really nice patio. Great food, nice staff. Something different and well worth the visit.

Good joint. Good burgers and cold beer!! Great atmosphere, good people from around the way, and cool locals. Stopped by after working over at Camp Billy. Had the cheeseburger plus bacon and fries. Also had the BLT. Delicious. Get the Sourdough for The BLT,it's pretty dang tasty. Oh, and the Patty melt,yum. Great service and super friendly. If you are coming through Niland,Brawley, or The Salton Sea, stop by in Bombay Beach, and you won't be disappointed

+6

We come here every year and covid put a damper on that the last couple years. I am glad they are still going and have made the back patio a beautiful oasis! You have to stop by when in the area. This place is historic!

Made me feel like I was back in calvert county. Dive bar of dive bars, but the patty melt and coleslaw were perfect 👌 and it feels good to support a local establishmentq

We came to Bombay Beach to check our the art instillations and stayed to have lunch at the Ski Inn. What a cool place and definitely in the spirt of this eclectic town. Yummy bacon cheeseburger and great fries. Definitely glad we stopped for lunch

+2

Must stop here when in Bombay Beach. Such a fun bar to stop for drinks, tater tots and pie 🥧

Well this is the only place to eat in town so you can't be too picky. However it was great and the people were very friendly. We brought two dogs with us and the ate with us in the patio seating which is very pretty.

Super unique bar in a unique spot on the Salton Sea. In its hay day the Ski Inn was the place for water skiers and boaters to drink. After the lake dropped and people stopped coming this place really only serves locals, artist and the occasional tourists. The beer is cold and the staff is SUPER friendly. They also cook up a GREAT Steak! This bar has lots of character and it truly is a hidden gem. Its a must stop if you are visiting Bomb Bay, Ca.

At first I was a little intimidated by this place but we went in anyways. The food was awesome and so was the service. We ate at the bar and had a few drinks. It has a wonderful atmosphere. There are several thousand one dollar bills taped on the ceiling and walls. There is a handicapped bathroom that everyone must see the inside of. There is also an outdoor dining area.

My all time fav dive bar. Cash only, classic jukebox, wraparound bar (sit here to chat it up with locals), pool table, excellent burgers, right amount of grime, awesome back patio, cheap drinks. Spent some time in the area and by the second visit I felt like a regular. Sonya and Ernie are so nice, real good people. Esmeralda was our server, very efficient. Patty Melt and Ortega burger are delish, popular items. Piano to fool around on. One night some local musicians had a jam sesh on back patio and it was lotsa fun. Another night some epic Deep House DJs came by and spun into the wee hours of morn. Next month they’re hosting the 12th Annual Testicle Festival 🤔 Ask Sonya to make one of her famous margaritas, you won’t be disappointed. And dont forget to ask for the art basket so you create your own dolla-dolla bill for the wall! Will be back here again, made lots of friends.

+4

April 18th 2023 Stopped in because it's basically the only place within' miles to eat. Burgers were great, service was super, and the restrooms were cleaner than mine at my house. Super friendly staff, chill atmosphere, just a great place to get something to eat. Next time we come down, this is where we will go. Thanks!!!

An iconic place in Bombay Beach. A must stop for a cold drink and check out the inside of the bar. You will be amazed and I'm not going to spoil it for you. 😉

One of my favorite bars ever. It’s a dessert oasis, truly a gem of a place! Tots and miller highlife keep them coming plz

The Ski Inn perfectly topped off our trip to Bombay Beach with nice cold beers and some delicious fried food! Very pleased and will be back again!

OK if you're going to the Salton Sea, this is must for a beer or two. There a mementos and tags on cash bills all over the place. These have been left as a reminder of how much this place has touched people's lives. The Inn sits on the shore of 360 Square mile sea. It's longest side is 33 miles long. The ski Inn is library of pictures of when the sea was popular. The beer is cold and fresh, parking is free and easy to find. 👍👏 Grab a bill, put your name down and tape it to open spot. They only accept cash but there is an atm in the restaurant.

+6

Lots of character here. Love these classic "dive bars", though they are becoming a rarity. Visit and enjoy while you can.

+6

wonderful quirky place. delicious cheesburger and crispy onion rings. be sure to wander around their patio area too. kinda the only place in town.... but ALSO a great place. good value and nice people.

+1

Was a great experience to be at the Ski Inn! Everyone is nice, the burguer was GREAT and overall a good time

Charming local bar, for the area, staff is awesome

Great food! Had the fish sandwich and homemade coleslaw. Really nice people. Played pool for free. Super interesting place to visit.

We played music here and it was GREAT. The staff was awesome the food was delicious and the bar has soooo much flavor. A great place. We will see you guys next year FOR SURE.

Great burgers and shepherds pie along with a fun atmosphere and great outdoor patio which is dog friendly! Food came fresh and hot and our experience was extra special due to the fantastic service provided by Luke. He was friendly and courteous and an asset to this establishment and to the hospitality industry in which he works.

Love this place! Stumbled across it and I hope to visit again! Food is good and the people are too. Great music events and community vibes, Ski Inn provides a steady rhythm for the creative heartbeat of Bombay Beach. An artists dream!

+1

As seen on TV! A fantastic, funky, friendly place stop off for a good burger and a chat. Everyone in there was very welcoming. Bombay Beach is worth the visit to see the artworks that are everywhere, but the Ski Inn is a must when you are there.

+6

Very good burger and what great hospitality by Steve.

+1

Incredible and almost historical! The folks inside are small town friendly with a dash of character you might find from the video game GTA. The cheese burger and patty melt was on point! Crispy sour dough and perfectly cooked medium beef patty. Onion rings and fries were fantastic! Skin on fries were crispy and delicious! Bonus we got to add our dollars here.

+1

Small local dive bar. Everything is exactly what it needed to be. Old school juke box works. The burgers were the right amount of greasy. And the service was quick and attentive. Love these types of places

What a rad place! Definitely stop here if you’re in the area. They’re friendly people, the atmosphere is comfortable, the patio is fantastic, and the drinks are tasty. We didn’t eat, but I heard the food is great too. Thanks for the hospitality, Sonia!

+1

Definitely nice to find this oasis of beer and burgers off the beaten path of Salton Sea and hwy 111. Limited menu of essential bar food made to order. The decor is classic with nice booths tables and expanded bar section. Great pool table and looks like some live music happens here. Dollar bills adorn walls ceilings and light fixtures. Fun spot!

Amazing food, such a cool place - our bartender was awesome too! Highly recommend!

+2

Such a great place! We were driving around Bombay Beach looking at the fun art structures and saw cars park out in front of Ski Inn. It’s very unassuming out front but decided to go in and quench our thirst. Pleasantly surprised and the food looked really good. Staff was great! The cook made us laugh! He’s a goofball! Clean restroom. Pool table and nice outside seating. We will definitely be back!

Good food! Good people ! Beautiful place ! Good drinks ! Burgers are GOOD! But the NY stake special is SUPER!

One of a kind place for a motorcycle stop. The Parry Melt is fabulous. It’s amazing now and must have been incredible back when you could waterski just outside the door.

Just do it. Where else can you dine below sea level with a full bar at your disposal. Margaritas are made with love, and the beer just keeps on flowing. My suggestion is to over-tip as this is somewhat out of the way and the locals are going above and beyond to continue a successful establishment in rather challenging conditions. And of course they earn it in their exemplary customer service and friendly demeanor. Just can’t go wrong here.

Chris Hicks

Just a simple small town bar on the salton sea at Bombay Beach great vibes an experience to remember and great food to boot try the patty melt a favorite of Anthony bourdain

patrick cordelle

I wanted to see salvation mountain, stopped here for lunch. Top tier dive bar in a very unique place. The food was great. Thank you.

Winston The Wandering Weiner

A fun and quirky grub stop at Salton Sea in the true dive bar style!! Friendly staff, good eats and wonderful pricing!!

Asha Burtell

Even if it is your first time there, they treat you like family! Such an awesome atmosphere! We tried the burgers and they were excellent!! Melt in your mouth delicious. Definitely fresh and home made. Kids had corndogs which they enjoyed. Had to decorate a few $1 and add to the decor

ChristinaSaunters

My dad and I ate lunch/dinner at the Ski Inn in Bombay Beach ⛱️, California (Cocktail & food lounge). The inside is filled with dolar bills, it seems to be wherever the guest wants to put their dolar bill (make sure you bring some dollar bills to put up). It was pretty neat. You walk into a little bar area, then there's inside seating, but my dad and I chose to sit on the patio which was really pretty and relaxing. I had a coke, pulled pork sandwich 🥪 and fries 🍟 (13.95). My dad had a bloody mary, cheeseburger 🍔 and tots ($12.95). Total bill came to $31.98. The staff was very accommodating to my dietary needs. I didn't realize that they put cheese on a pulled pork sandwich, so they made me another one without cheese and everything was hot and fresh when it came back out. The food was delicious. Saturday 12/6/25 at 12:30 pm.

+11

Michael Watson

Fun bar/restaurant in Bombay Beach. Great burgers! Always end up here after riding our sxs's

Jan B

Out on a getaway for a few days from Riverside and heard about Ski Inn (pronounced “sky” by the locals). The woman ranger at the state park told us to catch a lunch there as it was nearby. A gem of an accidental find. An honest great dive bar with maybe the best cheese burger I’ve ever had AND came with frosted beer glass for the beers. I can’t say enough about how great that burger was! Super friendly bartender/cook, Steve. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our lunchtime conversation with him. A step back in time and extremely laid back. Will more than just drop by on our next drive in the desert area….it is now on our go to on purpose destination.

Bigg Macc

If you come HERE, Bombay Beach? Come here!!! Friendly, relaxed and Yo mommas COMFORT FOOD!! JUST come for the DECOR!!! And a pool table to boot….

+3

Cassie Brown

So fun! What a great dive bar find. We didn’t eat here but it smelled good and they even had a veggie burger! Much Ultra on draft. Cheap prices. Fun decor. Stop by!!

+3

James P

Wow. Just fantastic. We went for the Christmas dinner. The food was delicious and the atmosphere perfect. The back patio was so chill. Ice cold beer and a pool game. Highly recommended.

+2

Michael Blackstock

There's nothing I can't say that hasn't already been said, but I will try. This place is a crazy flashback of an oasis. Such a great spot in the middle of nowhere, but the great thing is, you don't need anything else! It has everything, so it's basically everything in the middle of nowhere. Huge patio and lots of parking too. Great food and cheap drinks!

+4

Lindsay Marie

Love everything about this place. Got to put my $1 on the wall lol, chatted with the bartender.. played some pool and got a burger and fries. Nice to see it semi busy in there considering how far out this place is. Good visit for sure!

+1

David Grossman

Wow. As all reviews share the place is picture perfect. It truly takes me back to the 60s and 70s beach town feel. It is a gem. Service was awesome, food perfectly prepared and taste so great. The tots were better than anything I get in Idaho. Salty and big crunch. Delicious chicken sandwich. Don't miss the Ski Inn. Don't forget to bring your boat, skis and appetite. I love Bombay Beach.

+4

Madeleine Pinios

The Owner and bartender were so genuine. I tasted the sausage gravy, seriously soo good. Bombay Beach is a cornucopia of eclectic art that meets beautiful Sultan Sea settings. We are coming back in the spring to spend a week with these fine folks!

+6

Alejandro Preciado

The perfect watering hole - in every single way. From the moment I arrived the service was great - kind, helpful, and attentive. The patio area is well decorated and there is plenty of shade wherever you choose to sit. If the outside is not your thing, the A/C works great inside! Take it from me when I say the beer was ICE cold. And don’t get me started on the food - 10/10. I ordered the BLT and OrtegaBurger (pictured). Sorry, I wasn’t able to snap a photo of the BLT, because I finished it in the blink of an eye. Be sure to come here for good beer, food, and times. Wishing you luck on finding a good spot for your dollar bills.

+4

Ron S!

O U T S T A N D I N G ! Went for our first time after seeing a friend post food pictures. We arrived about 11:30am before the lunch crowd arrived. We loved the funky feel of the place, people treated us like family. We really enjoyed ourselves. We both had hamburgers with onion rings. Everything was super fresh and had good flavors. It didn't disappoint! I had a slice of apple pie and I have to say it was probably one of the top 3 pieces of apple pie I've tasted in my life. CASH only, ATM on-site. We will absolutely be back and highly recommend The Ski Inn!

+6

Katrina Gentry

This place is awesome! The food was yummy & not super pricey like a lot of other random gems I've found. The ambiance is so fun. We couldn't stop finding new & cool things to look at. Free pool table! Great music station playing & a juke box. Drinks & full bar. The staff are really friendly people. Back patio is really nice. Definitely glad we stopped in while exploring around Bombay Beach. They also sell postcards & t-shirts. You should totally check this place out. 5 ☆s for sure!

+2

Interesting place, especially with all the Dollar bills plastered everywhere. Food was good, price was reasonable.

Okay, the truth is we did not eat or drink anything here. We wanted to use the bathroom. But while here, I did have a look around while waiting for the ladies. The place seemed clean and neat, with a cozy bar that seemed to be inhabited by locals. If I had been looking for something to eat or drink, I would not have hesitated to give this place a shot. Their interior decoration is an interesting design.

Only could give it a 4 star because unfortunately unable to see the inside. Loved seeing sign lowerest bar in Western Hempishere. Easy to find and plenty of parking and interesting things to see on the ground.

Don't come to Bombay Beach without stopping here for a beer. The walls, juke box, bar, tables and ceiling are all covered in signed dollar bills.

+2

We like to stop in hometown or local bars when we’re traveling. We’ll sit at the bar and talk to the regulars and we usually get a decent reception along with some good stories. And when that local bar is in Bombay Beach you might worry about just who the locals or regulars are. I’m here to tell you just go on in order a beer and enjoy a nice cool drink in that desert town. They have the usual low calorie light beers on tap but they also have a super great Ballast Sculpin IPA and don’t sweat when the bartender warns you it’s the most expensive drink in the bar, it’s still well within reasonable rates and it comes in a nice clean cold mug. Our bartender -Scheherazade -has a few tales to tell but not 1001- so she won’t talk your ear off but is friendly, has a great smile and is happy to give you suggestions of other great places to visit while you’re in the area. We enjoyed our visit in Bombay Beach so much we came back to see it again the next day. And of course dropped back in The Ski Inn for another one of those crazy ‘expensive’ Sculpins and met a couple more locals. Good times!

So much fun this place. The meal hit the spot. The staff is so friendly and treated us like family 💕!

This was a very unusual place in an unusual neighborhood. Anthony Bourdain visited there at one point. We sat at a great patty melt talked to the bartender and a few of the patrons had a great time.

+1

A great stop if you're driving around the Salton Sea. Burgers, sandwiches, patty melts, cold inexpensive beer. Lovely outdoor seating area as well. I saw a photo of Anthony Bourdain seated here at the end of the bar enjoying a cold one. It's THAT cool.

Very funky and whacky eatery. Nice quick service. Great classic burgers.

Very nice place. Everyone is friendly and they make a great burger

Food was great, vibe was great, service was friendly but S-L-O-W.... Don't go if in a hurry. *Very dog friendly!*

Robin Hethey

The Ski Inn is a must mecca while vacationing at the Fountain of Youth . The magnet took hold January 10,2026. Our waitress Kelsey as a most attentive and helped to make once again memories. Noted that both Kelsey and Robin -- the barkeep were operating at 90 MPH Robin slow down and take a breath. The casear salad lacks parmesean and casear salad dressing not Ranch. Re evaluate the chicken strips -- hard as rock, and a killer on false teeth.

Arden

Must see if you're visiting Bombay Beach. Dive bar vibe inside. Beer garden outside. Friendly staff.

+1

amber enriquez

Ok place to visit if you’re hungry and in the area. I looked online at their menu which is outdated and was excited to try their steak which was not available upon arrival. Their menu is very small and had an option of about 6 dishes. They do have a cute outdoor patio that is covered and decorated. This is a self serve restaurant where you order at the counter instead of waiting for service at a table. Ended up getting the chili bowl and I am almost positive it was a can of hormel’s chili, so that was disappointing.

+1

We went here for lunch after visiting the area. The place was busy but had a nice atmosphere. Unfortunately the relaxed atmosphere was not conducive to efficient service. We waited for over an hour for 3 burgers and 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. I had to ask for our drinks and then we we were offered the wrong ones. The waitress didn't seem to know what she was doing or who's order was who's. The food (when it finally arrived) was good. This obviously wasn't a one off incident. The restaurant is covered in dollar bills which have been decorated by clients and then stuck to the wall, as you can see from the attached picture we weren't the only customers to be dissatisfied.

The people were nice, the down side is that they have a small kitchen so our food took over an hour, it’s cash only and they don’t offer refills on ice tea. I wasn’t a fan of their chili cheese fries but I did enjoy there Tartar sauce with some fries.

Grew up down here on weekends and haven't been back since my dad passed .. Wow... Shocked... Very dark inside, no one greets u, dollar bills every where on everything.. $3. For can of Dr.Pepper.. will not be going ever again .. miss the old owners..

Waited an hour still no food, people that came in 30 minutes after us got their food ate and left and we were still waiting. We left.