James Dean Memorial

James Dean Memorial

Famous for his role in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause,' James Dean was one of America's most famous teen idols. The irony that the racing enthusiast died in a car accident is reflected in the unique design of this memorial.

The stylized sculpture is composed of concrete and stainless steel around a tree of heaven growing in front of the Cholame post office.

The accident that killed Dean happened about 900 yards east of the monument. The sculpture was made in Japan and transported to Cholame, accompanied by the project's benefactor, Seita Ohnishi.

The dates and hours of Dean's birth and death are etched into the sculpture, along with a handwritten description by Dean's close friend, William Bast, of one of Dean's favorite lines from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince - 'What is essential is invisible to the eye.'

Location

In Front of Post Office
Cholame, California
USA

Getting There

The James Dean Memorial is located near the intersection of Highways 41 and 46 in Cholame, California. Here are some possible ways to get there:

By car: You can reach the James Dean Memorial by car via Highways 41 or 46. There is a small parking lot located near the memorial, as well as some street parking in the surrounding area.

Motorcycle or bike: Many visitors choose to visit the James Dean Memorial on a motorcycle or bicycle ride, as it is located on some popular riding routes in the area.

It's important to note that the James Dean Memorial is a small roadside attraction, and there are limited amenities in the surrounding area. Additionally, visitors are expected to respect the privacy and safety of the surrounding community.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in California that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.