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Shandon, California: James Dean Car Crash Site

Spontaneous personal tributes and offerings are left on a fence at the site where actor James Dean crashed and died on September 30, 1955.

James Dean Memorial Junction

Address:
74200 Cholame Valley Rd., Shandon, CA
Directions:
Just east of Cholame Valley Rd, where Rt. 46 and Rt. 41 meet.
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Visitor Tips and News About James Dean Car Crash Site

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James Dean Car Crash Site.

James Dean Car Crash Site

On a lonely stretch of highway outside of Shandon, you will find a fitting tribute to one of the most influential people to grace the silver screen. Whether you like James Dean or not, this unassuming memorial is a fitting tribute to his legacy.

[Pamela & Bret, 11/26/2019]

Fans continue to leave offerings at the site of Dean's 1955 fatal crash.

James Dean Car Crash Site.

James Dean Car Crash Site

The James Dean Car Crash Site as of April 2, 2018.

[Heather, 04/11/2018]
James Dean Car Crash Site

Road construction crews had traffic moving along briskly as they reconfigured the intersection of Highways 46 and 41. We didn't see any memorial items left at the roadside... but we couldn't pull over to look because of the construction. There is, however, a new green and white highway sign, "James Dean Memorial Junction," posted at the intersection.

[e.w.burdorff, 01/31/2015]

James Dean Crash Site offerings.

James Dean Car Crash Site

James Dean crash site memorial.

[CS, 06/07/2014]

Taking inventory of current offerings at the shrine: a bra, a pack of Chesterfield cigarettes, two lighters, sun glasses, empty liquor bottles, votive candles, a James Dean paperback in a baggie, a couple of combs, lip balm, various coins, and "Rebel Without a Cause" on DVD.

Crash site.

James Dean Car Crash Site

Where the car crash occurred. Look for flowers and other mementos at the James Dean Memorial Junction...nw corner of intersection. Thought it was more touching than the steel memorial at Jack Ranch Cafe.

[Kim Wheeler, 04/27/2013]

Nearby Offbeat Places

James Dean MemorialJames Dean Memorial, Cholame, CA - < 1 mi.
Shandon ChapelShandon Chapel, Shandon, CA - 8 mi.
Earthquake Capital of the WorldEarthquake Capital of the World, Parkfield, CA - 14 mi.
In the region:
Monolith, Atascadero, CA - 27 mi.

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