Posted in Southern California Attractions December 19, 2022 by

We Bet You Didn’t Know This Small Town In Southern California Was Home To The World’s Biggest Dinosaur Sculptures

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.
Cabazon Dinosaurs - World’s Biggest Dinosaurs/Google Local
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.
Jacques Parizeau/Google Local
In the years following Dinny’s creation, a second dinosaur, a 65-foot-tall, 100-ton tyrannosaurus was built nearby. He goes by the name of Mr. Rex.
Andre Da Silva/Google Local
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.
Maplez Maps/Google Local
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.
ronald sheridan/Google Local
Not all the dinosaurs on the premises are as big as Mr. Rex and Dinny. Smaller dinosaurs can be found throughout the roadside attraction.
Paolo Incarnacion/Google Local
The site features a “pre-historic” dinosaur walk featuring lots of dinosaurs, even a few that move!
Lea Fuji/Google Local
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.
Dominic Urias/Google Local
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.”
Tom D/Google Local

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.

Address: 50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230, USA

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