Are you driving from LA to Palm Springs and looking for a fun and easy stop with kids?

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are the world’s largest roadside dinosaurs.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand next to a life-sized dinosaur? What about a 65-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex dressed as Pee-wee Herman?

My husband and I planned a kids-free vacation to Palm Springs and made sure to visit the famous Palm Springs Dinosaurs. The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a must-see for anyone who loves dinosaurs, road trips, or needs a quick pit stop with kids!

Getting There

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are located in Cabazon, California, just 20 minutes west of Palm Springs which make it an easy pitstop if you’re traveling to this desert oasis.

The dinosaurs are actually visible from Southern California’s Interstate 10, the main road into Palm Springs.

Address: 50770 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230

How far is Palm Springs from Los Angeles? It’s about a 2 hour drive from LAX to Palm Springs.

Road Trip Tip: Keep kids occupied and busy – Road Trip Essentials for Kids

The History of the Cabazon Dinosaurs

The Cabazon Dinosaurs were built in the 1960s by Claude Bell, a businessman who wanted to create a roadside attraction for his restaurant – The Wheel Inn.

The dinosaurs were designed by Bob Baker, a Hollywood artist who had worked on movies like King Kong and The Planet of the Apes.

A third woolly mammoth sculpture and a prehistoric garden were drafted but never completed due to Bell’s death in 1988.

Over the years the Cabazon Dinosaurs have been a hit with tourists and roadtrippers. It’s most known and gained popularity after it was featured in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure movie. The dinos also appeared in the film The Wizard and multiple music videos.

In August 2023, the tyrannosaurus rex was painted in tribute to the late Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman. I was lucky to be visiting during this time.

More Than Just a Photo Opp

The iconic Palm Spring dinosaurs is Instagram worthy but it offers more than just a story for your social media feed.

Here’s what to expect at Cabazon Dinosaurs attraction:

• It’s free to take photographs and get up close to the dinosaurs.
• Climb to the top of T-rex aka Mr. Rex and sit in his mouth for an extra high vantage point. (Included in ticket)

• The 150-foot-long Apatosaurus (known as Dinny) doubles as a gift shop. Climb inside to find more dinosaurs and lots of souvenirs, t-shirts and kids toys.

• Explore more by purchasing admission into Cabazon Dinosaur Park – highly recommend for kids! See 70+ robotic and static dinosaurs, dinosaur dig, gemstone and fossil panning, and climb inside Mr. Rex.
• The dinosaurs are painted to match the season, you might experience them dressed as Santa or in fresh pastels for Easter. A great time to visit is during Christmas, when the park is covered in Christmas lights.

• Don’t come hungry. There’s no walkable food options nearby unless your good with snacks from a gas station.
• Restrooms are available in the museum, if not open head to the Shell gas station.

Cabazon Dinosaurs Tickets

Can you see the Cabazon Dinosaurs without paying? No purchase required to see and stand next to the roadstop attraction or climb inside to apatasaurus aka Dinny’s gift shop!

However, purchasing tickets to the museum offers a lot more! Check out more dinosaurs, climb up T-rex, they have a tiny egg hunt, if you find it then in the gift shop you can get that dinosaur toy. It’s a self guided tour and if traveling with kids, totally worth it.

Prices:

• Adults $15 (Ages 13-55)
• Children $13 (Ages 3 – 12)
• Seniors & Military $11

They’re open everyday except Christmas.

Is Cabazon Dinosaurs worth it?

The Cabazon Dinosaurs are a popular roadside attraction in Southern California, and for obvious reasons. Where else can you see life-size dinosaurs that you can climb and that are painted for each season? Kids and adults love visiting this historic place to be amazed and learn more about dinosaurs in the desert.

Be sure to add this iconic road trip pit stop to your list if you’re heading to or from Palm Springs, CA!

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