How is Jet Skiing on the Salton Sea, CA?

Question

i read on several sites that the Salton Sea allows jet skiing. I live in NJ and i have been to San Diego and i loved it there. I was thinking about moving and since i jetski here in jersey I would like to find a great place to jetski near San Diego. I was wondering if anyone has been there to jetski? how is the water, flat or choppy? is it cold? is it clean? Are there available slips at docks and are there launching ramps?

Answer 1

While jet skiing is allowed at Salton Sea and the lake is fairly huge, I sure wouldn't want to go there.  The water is extremely corrosive due to the salt content and chemical run-offs from the nearby farms.  Salton Sea is renowned for the massive fish die offs where the shores are literally covered in thousands of dead and dying fish. There is some chop when the wind blows, temp is around 60 degrees in winter and mid 70 degrees in summer. Public launch ramps are available. As for being clean, let's just say I felt like getting a tetnus shot after I went there.

The only fresh water jet skiing available in San Diego County is at  El Capitan reservoir ( small and boring ), which is located in Lakeside.  Other fresh water areas that you can take your pwc is Lake Elsinore ( so-so ) or Lake Perris ( fairly decent for fresh water ) in Riverside County, which is about an hour north of San Diego, or Big Bear Lake in San Bernadino county, which is 2.5 hrs out of S.D.  If your willing to drive out to Salton, the Colorado river isn't that much further, along with Lake Havasu.  All the above places are nicer, but can get very crowded.

Your best bet, just ride out in either Sand Diego Bay or Mission Bay or along the coastline ( watch out for seaweed!) Public ramps at both places, beautiful scenery, and a mix of riding action available  from glassy surfaces to wave jumping.  Water temp is from the upper 50's in winter to mid 70's in summer. That's were I do the vast majority of my riding.