SP’s ART IS ALIVE DESERT TOUR
COMES JOIN US AS WE VISIT ICONIC PLACES OF ART IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAN DESERT, EL CENTRO, AND LEARN THE HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF SALVATION MOUNTAIN, the DUNES, AND THE DESERT TOWER . See why people come from all over the world to visit this unique area, and marvel in its architecture, art and obscur locations.
When you arrive in El Centro, you will be below sea level! How is this possible? You will learn about this and more in our Student Planet Mobile Classroom.
The famous Salvation Mountain open air desert museum was not intentionally created by Leonard Knight, he created this masterpiece not to be an art museum but a place of solace, reflection, and mediation of one’s life. It was by word of mouth, and stories is how this place became legendary and a place of pilgrimage for adventurers, photographers, desert lovers, and tourists who have heard of this themselves and are seeking to find themselves, it’s a must-see attraction. Mr. Knight, for over 40 years, built, maintained, and painted this whole area in order to find himself, peace, forgiveness and LOVE.
Before his death, Mr. Knight would personally give tours, and the history of this area. Now, with only a handful of volunteers taking care of this place and staying loyal to Mr. Knight’s legacy “ GOD IS LOVE!” They help maintain its core principle that GOD IS LOVE and all are welcomed to find their own peace, inner love, and embrace this simple message that GOD LOVES US ALL!!
Salvation Mountain is registered as a national treasure.
Then up the hill to the Desert Tower which was and still is a very popular stop along I-8 adjacent to Old U.S. Route 80, this trail has been well traveled by peoples for thousands of years because there is a natural spring located nearby. The views are magnificent along with the quirkiness of the Rock Art and much more. You will be amazed!
We will head back to San Diego after a day in one of the many eclectic and wacky, artsy areas around San Diego. This is just a small sampling of what you can see and do in San Diego.
Schedule:
7:00am: Check In: At Old Town San Diego Transit Center West Parking Lot under the bridge.
* Please bring your Passport and Visas, there is a Border Patrol checkpoint along the way
8:00am: Depart from Old Town San Diego Transit Center. Drive directly to El Centro, bathroom break if needed, and photo ops included.
10:00am: Arrive in beautiful El Centro, take a break, have a snack, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. Depart for Salvation Mountain
12:00pm: Arrive at Salvation Mountain, take a tour and learn the history, snap some photos, experience the energy of this hippiesque conclave.
1:30pm: Depart for the Dunes, see where Star Wars, Star Trek, and many other blockbusters were shot.
3:00pm: Snack break in El Centro
3:45pm: Depart for the Dessert Tower, enjoy the drive through our diverse landscapes
4:30pm: Arrive at the funtastic Desert Tower, take in the panoramic views, stone carvings, learn the history with fantastic photo opportunities.
6:00pm: Return to San Diego
7:30-8:00pm: Arrive back at Oldtown Transit Center
*For our ESL students, English ONLY! This is an immersion program to better your American English skills. No Exceptions!
**Snacks, drinks and dinner are not included in this tour’s base price.
