How to Visit James Dean's Crash Site

Budding film legend James Dean died while traveling from his home in Los Angeles to a town along California’s central coast. Pushing his red convertible sports car to excessive speeds for most of the trip, he topped a western foothill of the San Joaquin Valley. While cruising toward the next ridge, he plowed into a farmer, whose truck sluggishly turned in front of him. The sight where James Dean died is merely an intersection of two state highways, no more significant than any other intersection. Yet for anyone who is a fan of his acting and his celebrity, this automobile accident has considerably more significance. Visiting the site is relatively easy as a direct route from Los Angeles. One option, however, would be to recreate that last day by following, as closely as possible, Dean's original route from Hollywood.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Experience the full effect of that tragic day by researching the life of James Dean, including his last known Hollywood address. He only made three successful movies, so an afternoon of film-watching may be in order.

2. Take a morning flight into Los Angeles and rent a red convertible sports car. It doesn’t have to be an authentic 1950s model. Any red convertible will do.

3. Locate his last known address (14611 Sutton Street in Sherman Oaks) on the map and use it as a starting point. Do not disturb the current residents of the house. His death occurred over fifty years ago, so it’s not about them. Drive by slowly, notice the house and access U.S. 101 west to Ventura and then Interstate 5 north to Sacramento. The accident occurred almost 200 miles north of Hollywood.

4. Travel to Mettler, California and take State Highway 99 north. Even though staying on the Interstate 5 is the quicker route, the interstate highways weren’t yet built in the 1950’s. Stay committed to Dean’s route.

5. Take Exit 11 at South Union Avenue. Even the current four-lane Highway 99 wasn’t built yet, so therefore Dean’s last route was up old Business 99, lined with signature California palms, through East Bakersfield, California.

6. Approach Bakersfield from the south and note the dilapidated motor hotels that line the streets of Union Avenue, at one time the hub of the city. Near the East California Avenue intersection, the famous Bakersfield sign towered across this main drag but has since been removed and installed at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace.

7. Continue north on Union and follow Business 99 onto Golden State Highway, which joins Highway 99 out of the city and toward Fresno. At Pumpkin Center, exit and take State Highway 46 through Wasco, crossing Interstate 5 to the town of Lost Hills. A small gas station on the west side of town, the last station on the left, claims that it was James Dean’s last stop, supporting the claim with Dean memorabilia.

8. Pass Blackwell’s Corner and continue on Highway 46, looking over each hill for its intersection with State Highway 41. Top the last hill, see the intersection about a mile in the distance and imagine Dean’s last moments. During this straightaway, Dean accelerated to dangerous speeds.

9. Pull off the road and imagine an old Okie-era truck exploding into pieces at the point of collision. Dean’s sports car didn’t fare much better.

10. Stop up the road at that little diner on the right and visit the James Dean Memorial, which commemorates that tragic day. The memorial, not always maintained, encircles a shade tree.

11. Continue on to Paso Robles, Dean’s destination, where there are plenty of affordable restaurants and motels. The next day visit some Central California wineries before taking U.S. Highway 101 back to Los Angeles. Toast James Dean.

Resources

• Bakersfield, California
• Paso Robles, California
• Buck Owens