James Dean Memorial - Tree of Heaven

Block out the traffic noise and just be in the space. The memorial, Tribute To A Young Man, was dedicated in 1977 with an inscription by Seita Ohnishi added in 1983. Take pictures. Have paper to make a rubbing. Check out the Jack Ranch Cafe where you can talk to the locals.

Quick Tips:

This site is remote. If you miss the turn off, find a place to turn around and go back.

Best Way To Get Around:

The James Dean memorial is located in Cholame, population 116, on Highway 46/41 between Interstate 5 and Paso Robles on Highway 101. Turn around if you miss it. It's worth the effort.

The Jack Ranch Cafe was closed when I stopped by the James Dean Memorial this time. I can't recommend the food, but you should be able to stop in for a cold drink and a hamburger. You must be a customer to use the restroom facilities, and that may be reason enough to grab a bite to eat.

"Dream as if you'll live forever.
Live as if you'll die today." This is a quote attributed to James Dean.

Two days after finishing "Giant", Dean was headed to the most important and exciting sports car event of the year in Salinas, CA. Warner Bros. Studio had forbade him to race while "Giant" was in production.

Dean and his mechanic, Rolf Wutherich, left Los Angeles that morning. At 5:59 p.m. they encountered a Ford sedan driven by Donald Turnupseed in a head-on collision at the junction of Highway 41 and 46 near Cholame. Turnupseed suffered minor injuries, Wutherich was ejected from the car with major injuries and Dean was dead on impact.

This is a "must" out-of-the-way stop for all James Dean fans and a welcome rest stop for those traveling to the coast on Highway 46 or 41.

For more information about this movie icon, see www.jamesdean.com