North Shore, California

North Shore
Mortmere/Mortmar
Mortmar (North Shore), California with Salton Sea and Santa Rosa Mountains
Location in Riverside County and the state of California
North Shore
Location within the state of California
North Shore
North Shore (California)
North Shore
North Shore (the United States)
Coordinates: 33°30′46″N 115°55′38″W / 33.51278°N 115.92722°W / 33.51278; -115.92722
Country United States
State California
CountyRiverside
Settled1930
Incorporated CDP2010
Named afterNorthern End of the Salton Sea ("North Shore")
French: Mort[e] Mer ("Dead Sea")
Government
  TypeUnincorporated County
Area
  Total
11.184 sq mi (28.966 km2)
  Land11.179 sq mi (28.952 km2)
  Water0.005 sq mi (0.014 km2)  0.05%
Elevation
−69 ft (−21 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
3,585
  Density320/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
92254
Area codes442/760
GNIS feature ID2583097

North Shore is a census-designated place in southeastern Riverside County, so named because of its location along the northeast shore of the Salton Sea. It was once a popular vacation destination spot before ever-increasing salinity and pollution of the Salton Sea shut the tourist trade down. North Shore is flanked to the north and south by the Salton Sea State Recreation Area. The population was 3,585 at the 2020 census, up from 3,477 at the 2010 census.

One building is particularly noteworthy. The North Shore Beach and Yacht Club, an Albert Frey design, opened in 1962 and was in active use until 1984; rising water levels destroyed the jetty in 1981, thereby making it impossible for boats to dock there. As recently as the early 2000s, it was possible to enter the lobby prior to its being boarded up, although stairs leading to the second floor had been removed prior to its abandonment. The lobby was once littered with hotel receipts from the neighboring North Shore Motel (razed in 2008) dating back to the club's last days. The yacht club has been restored under a $3.35 million grant and since 2011 is open to the public as a Community Center and historical landmark. The Salton Sea History Museum was relocated to Mecca, California in February 2012.

North Shore is accessible via State Route 111 at the Imperial County line. The wildlife refuge and campground is a short distance south of the town.