Cabazon Dinosaurs in California

Located behind the Wheel Inn Restaurant in Cabazon, California, these dinosaurs are the original creations of Claude Bell. Construction began in the 1960s, although both dinosaurs were completed separately in the 1970s and 1980s. Adding to their novelty, they featured in The Wizard and Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and they still continue to draw visitors off of I-10. 

I returned to this location late last year to retrace my steps from road trips that I took in 2009 and 2010 with my friend Dave. Sadly, he passed away in 2011.

Footage from our road trip to the Cabazon Dinosaurs in 2009.

Claude Bell and the construction of "Dinny" the dinosaur.

Dave and I at the Cabazon Dinosaurs in 2009.

My picture on the foot of the T-Rex in 2009.

Recreating the picture in 2014.

Cabazon Dinosaurs in The Wizard (1989)

Cabazon Dinosaurs in Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

A snapshot of Dave on our return road trip in 2010.