We Bet You Didn't Know This Small Town In Southern California Was Home To The World's Biggest Dinosaur Sculptures
By Natasha Kayes|Published December 19, 2022
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Natasha Kayes
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I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
The desert town of Cabazon in Riverside County has become quite a tourist destination and is known for its open-air premium outlet shopping center and casino resort. But it has also become known for a quirky, yet impressive, roadside attraction. You may even have heard about the dinosaur sculptures in Southern California, but did you know that they hold the world record for being the biggest of their kind?
The Cabazon Dinosaurs are an iconic Southern California roadside attraction. They are a big part of local pop culture, having appeared in quirky films like Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure and a music video for the group Tears for Fears. It all started with the construction of the Wheel Inn Cafe in 1958. To attract attention to it, the owner decided to build a life-size dinosaur.
Meet Dinny the Dinosaur, a 150-foot-long brontosaurus, was the first of Cabazon’s giant pre-historic creatures to be built, beginning in 1964. He was made using salvaged materials from nearby highway construction and cost a whopping $300,000 and 11 years to complete.
Reportedly, the original owner of the dinosaurs stated that Dinny was “the first dinosaur in history, so far as I know, to be used as a building.” Inside Dinny, you will find a small museum and a dino-themed gift shop.
If you have ever wanted to put your head inside a dinosaur’s mouth - for photo reasons, of course - this is your chance. We have even seen pictures of small children between these massive teeth.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs are especially fun for families with young children, but we think even adults will be amused by these sculptures of ancient creatures.
The massive Cabazon Dinosaurs are easily seen from the Interstate 10 highway that passes through the area. According to the World Record Academy, Dinny and Mr. Rex set the world record for being the “World’s Biggest Dinosaur Sculptures.”
The world record-holding Cabazon Dinosaurs definitely make an impression and are worth a stop if you happen to be in the area. Have you seen these dinosaur sculptures in Southern California for yourself? We would love to hear your thoughts. Find details about this fun roadside attraction on the Cabazon Dinosaurs website and Facebook page.
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