Slab City and East Jesus “The Last Free Place In America,” California

Slab City, also known as “The Last Free Place in America,” is a crazy mixture of Mad Max, a post-apocalyptic town, and an art museum. Only about 30 minutes from Bombay Beach, and only 1 mile from Salvation Mountain, it is pretty easy to hit all 3 spots in one day. The whole area is built upon repurposed materials along with “East Jesus”- an experimental, sustainable and habitable art installation that resides right in the middle of it. 

STATS:

Where:
Slab City – Calipatria, CA 92233
Coordinates: N 33° 15.38’W 115° 28.263

Parking: 
Parking is free and available at all the sites. Make sure you stay off the road. 

Admission: 
Free, but clothing donations are always welcomed at the Pick-N-Pull.

Disclaimer: Please make sure to respect the art, the local community, and obey the speed limit. Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them. Pack it in, pack it out. The art installations are built from recycled materials so there are broken glass and sharp things, please be careful when you walk around. You are responsible for your own safety. Check here for a survival guide to East Jesus, Slab City.

HISTORY:

Slab City, also knows as “the Slabs” is named after all of the concrete slabs left from the abandoned World War II Marine Corps barracks of Camp Dunlap after its dismantling in 1956. 

The one-time military-run site is both decommissioned and uncontrolled. There is no charge for parking or camping. Slab City has no official electricity, running water, sewers, toilets, or trash pickup service. Many of the residents use generators or solar panels to generate electricity. Any trace of civilization with proper law enforcement is about four miles southwest of Slab City in Niland, where the “Slabbers” often go to do basic shopping. As a result, the site is described by some of its inhabitants as a miniature enclave of anarchy.

Several thousand campers, many of them retired, use the site during the winter months. The “snowbirds” stay only for the winter before migrating north in spring to much cooler climates. The temperatures during summer are as high as 120°F. Nonetheless, there is a group of around 150 permanent residents who live in “The Slabs” year-round. Some of these “Slabbers” make their living from government programs and have been driven to “The Slabs” by poverty. Some have moved to The Slabs to vanish from the grid and be left alone. Other Slabbers have moved there to stretch their retirement income. It is a squatter’s paradise, 640 acres where you can pretty much do as you please. They call it “The place without laws,” but this isn’t entirely true. We talked to a police officer while we were in Bombay Beach. He told us about frequent trips to the slabs after fights broke out at the Range after the concerts that are held every weekend. 

THE ADVENTURE:

Down the street from Salvation Mountain, you’ll come across the Slab City Information Kiosk. This is the beginning of this apocalyptic town. The whole place is a combination of dry dirt desert roads and abandoned-looking houses and trailers. However, there are many fascinating, experimental art installations to see and experience in Slab City. Below are a few of our favorites. GPS worked fine for us out there so you shouldn’t have a problem finding these places. 

1. East Jesus – N 33° 15.796′ W 115° 27.958′

This is our most favorite area in Slab City. We spent most of our time here since there’s a lot to see. Despite its name and close proximity to Salvation Mountain, it is not an overly religious site. In fact, it is right down the street from a smaller exhibit known as West Satan.

It was started in early 2007 by Charles Russell. Charlie realized that he was done with the typical idea of the “American Dream” after working in the tech industry. He quit his job, packed his belongings into a shipping container, and sent it to a small area in the slabs that were overflowing with trash. To him, it was not trash but the fuel he needed for his artistic mind. This was the place where he surrounded his 2 cars with sculptures that would eventually become the foundation of East Jesus, the gallery of the eclectic and bizarre art. Unfortunately, Charlie passed away in 2011, but his dream lives on. The Chasterus Foundation, a tax-exempt charity was set up after his death to maintain and expand Charlie’s vision.

  
The moment that Vy and I stepped out of the car, it was like we stepped into another dimension. It is hard to describe the art there but words like bizarre, otherworldly, surreal seemed to jump into mind. The art in East Jesus is made up of materials that have been reused, recycled, or repurposed. Their mission is to encourage visitors to live in a world free of waste. A world where every single action is an opportunity for self-expression. There is a vast cornucopia of art made up of just about everything that you can imagine.

  
Every sculpture seems unfinished, just waiting for a couple more springs or AA batteries or maybe a hubcap. The work here seems like it will never be done. East Jesus is a living, growing and ever-changing artwork comprised of thoughts and notions. The installations are not always made up of purely inanimate objects. There is also a music performance space furnished with a stage lighting system, a grand piano all of which are powered by expired batteries that were discarded by telecom companies and solar panels to keep the power in abundant supply.

East Jesus combines the mix of photography, performance art, writing, music, and multimedia art from thousands of artists into one large exhibit. It is a look into the minds of those who have chosen to take a different route in life. Some pieces, I will admit, were confusing. I’m not sure of what the message was or if it was just an interesting collection of objects. Some gave us a laugh, and some made us think. There is a large wall of TVs with slogans painted all over them. It was a sobering look into the society we live in today, it reflected the harsh criticisms that we place on ourselves and others. 

  

2. Slab City Hostel, Home for the Abandoned Teddy Bears, and the Giant Wind Chime – 33°15’27.7″N 115°27’27.0″W

Once you find Slab City Hostel, you will find the directional sign for the giant wind chime and the Home for the Abandoned Teddy Bears. The giant wind chime is just that, a big, neat looking wind chime. As for the Home for the Abandoned Teddy Bears, someone has rescued all the abandoned Teddy Bears and built them a little playpen. 

  

3. Slab City Library – 33°15’16.6″N 115°27’44.3″W

Where can you find a library located in the middle of nowhere and that’s open 24/7? We drove by but didn’t have enough time to stop in. It looked pretty cool though. We would love to stop in next time we’re in the area.

4. Artsy Car – 33°15’32.2″N 115°27’58.5″W

Located on the main road, coming from Salvation Mountain. It’s right after you pass the Information Kiosk. It looks like an old Chevy truck that is decorated from head to wheels with random, recycled things such as soda can tabs, fan grates, bicycle rims, and more. 

  

5. Shoe trees

Also located on the main road, left-hand side if you’re coming in from Salvation Mountain. We don’t remember the exact location but it should be soon after passing the Information Kiosk.

6. The Range – N 33° 15.644′ W 115° 27.841′

The Range is the gathering spot for all of the Slabbers. An open-air nightclub complete with stage, lights, amplifiers, and speakers, and worn-out couches, and old chairs for seating. Every Saturday night right around sunset, locals, and visitors meet for a talent show that features local musicians and anyone else that wants to share their talents. The venue is run by old-time resident William Ammon, known as Builder Bill.

7. Random art around the Slab

There are so many random, cool things to see if you just drive around the area. Don’t forget to use your GPS in case you get lost.

  
Slab City/East Jesus is definitely a unique place to check out. Don’t forget to swing by Bombay Beach and Salvation Mountain since they’re practically next door. If you are looking for a hike while you are in town, you should definitely check out Painted/Ladder Canyon Hike.

Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!

RECOMMEND GEAR:

Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.

•  Sunscreen:
    We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen

•  Closed toes shoes
   There is lots of broken glass and other gross stuff there so this is a must! You are exploring abandoned places after all. 

•  Water
   It can get very hot there so bring lots of water. You are in the middle of nowhere after all.

•  Food and snacks and a cooler
   Again, you are in the middle of nowhere so bring food!

CAMERA GEAR:
•  Camera:
    Sony a7 III

•  Lenses:
   Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens 
   Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX   

•  Drone:
  DJI Mavic 2 Pro

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