Southern California farmers used to grow bananas many years ago. But a lot has changed. Now, the only state still growing the yellow fruit for commercial sale is Hawaii. Yet our state is the home to the biggest banana museum in the world.
A trip just south of Palm Springs off the I-10 will take you to the International Banana Museum. Overlooking the north shore of the Salton Sea, you’ll find over 17-thousand banana related items; ones you can eat and drink to ones, well, darn right unique. Like a blue cobalt glass banana, to silverware with banana shaped handles and banana shaped harmonicas.
The owner, Fred Garbutt wants everyone to enjoy his collection – a collection he loves to talk about in a video on YouTube.
This tribute to the banana is open Friday through Monday in Mecca, which is on the north shore of the Salton Sea just south of I-10 in Southern California.