The Zigzag House, Bombay Beach
Guest rating: 4.8 / 5
The Zigzag House is an art-forward vacation home set in the offbeat desert art community of Bombay Beach, California, on the shore of the Salton Sea. The property sleeps guests across a full bed and two twins, backed by a full kitchen with oven and stove, air conditioning, and heating for the region's extreme temperature swings. Its standout feature is the oversized outdoor hang space with four large couches, plus a private patio and outdoor grill for al fresco cooking. Just outside the door sits the Zig Zag Piazza, a shared sculpture garden with the Bombay Beach Museum of Bombay Beach, a 60-person communal outdoor dining table, and a full outdoor kitchen. The house is pet-friendly, smoke-free, and includes free parking and Wi-Fi. Walking-distance dining options like Ski Inn, the Bombay Beach restaurant, and American Legion Club sit just steps away, while the Salton Sea and the town's scattered art installations are within easy reach on foot.
Best for
This home suits artists, photographers, and desert adventurers drawn to Bombay Beach's outsider-art scene, thanks to its proximity to the sculpture garden, museum, and beach-side art sites just steps from the door. The oversized outdoor lounge and communal 60-person dining table also make it a strong fit for small groups or friends traveling together who want a shared, social outdoor experience. Pet owners and road-trippers benefit from the pet-friendly policy, free parking, and full kitchen for self-catering in a remote area with limited commercial services.
Travel tips
A car is essential, as the nearest airports (Jacqueline Cochran Regional, Imperial County, and Palm Springs International) are all 50-90km away and there is no indication of on-site transit. Pack for extremes: the desert setting means heating and A/C are both genuinely necessary depending on season, and the surrounding terrain can turn muddy after rain, so check conditions before planning to explore on foot. Most dining is very limited beyond a handful of walkable spots (Ski Inn, the Bombay Beach restaurant, American Legion Club), so use the full kitchen and outdoor grill for at least some meals, and expect to drive 20km or more to reach a wider range of restaurants like Buckshot Deli & Diner or Serrano's Juice Bar & Grill.
What guests say
Guests consistently highlight the home's stylish, clean, and cozy interior, along with easy access to Bombay Beach's distinctive outdoor art scene along the community and shoreline. Communication and responsiveness from the host are repeatedly praised as a strong point of the stay. One recurring caution involves weather: rain can leave the surrounding desert terrain muddy, limiting how much guests can explore on foot during their visit. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with no complaints about the property itself beyond weather-dependent access to outdoor sites.
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