EISPIRATEN

This was an intro overnight with my daughter. Salvation isn't a real mountain, but there was some primitive camping and light backpacking into J Tree involved, so I think it nominally qualifies for TR status.

http://wildsouthland.blogspot.com/2015/ ... esert.html

That's a pretty good weekend adventure.
Avoiding crowds on holidays is not easy in SoCal.

Great pics - we've spent two past New Year's camping on the Salton Sea and hav enjoyed the mild weather, birds and also went kayaking. I love nearby Mecca Hills - have you hiked there? Ladder and Painted Canyons are awesome. San Andreas Palms is a nice easy day hike to a natural oasis along the San Andreas Fault. Have not seen Salvation Mountain, but am interested in going there and the mud volcanoes. Joshua Tree is always great - did an overnight/thru-hike of the Boy Scout Trail a few years back.

I love nearby Mecca Hills - have you hiked there?

I have not. This was my first visit to the area. Didn't have as much time to spend as I would have liked. I'll have to check it out (and the other places you mention) on the next visit.

I'd watch a movie about Slab City.