Dinosaur Land

Alpine, California

Years ago, an amusement park called Dinosaur Land entertained visitors with fiberglass dinosaurs and other animals in this small town east of San Diego. Now, except for an old wrought-iron gate at the original park entrance, all that remains is a single dinosaur -- the last of its kind. The property has become surrounded by a mobile home park, whose residents ease the dinosaur's loneliness by adorning it with lights each Christmas. My visit occurred on January 1; the dinosaur was decorated to celebrate New Year's.

Directions: Interstate 8 exit 30 (Tavern Road), south 0.2 mile to a left on Alpine Boulevard, 1.0 mile to another left on Vista Alpine Road, into the main entrance of the Alpine Mobile Home Estates at 2400 Alpine Boulevard. After 500 feet, turn left into the driveway on the near side of some kind of community building; behind the building turn left again downhill on a dirt road for 100 feet. The dinosaur will be visible on the other side of a small creek. This is private property but is not posted against trespassing, but please respect the privacy of the residents.

Last visited: January 2011.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.