Gianna Espinoza was mesmerized, staring at the prehistoric creature with fascination as it let out a deep roar.
“The first thing she said was ‘I don’t want to get eaten!” said dad Anthony Espinoza with a chuckle.
“No, no, they are safe,” he assured his 2-year-old daughter.
Dinosaur props set outdoors for a “Jurassic Beach” exhibit at the Outlets at San Clemente are drawing crowds young and old — a fun outing for families, but also a promo opportunity with the opening of the box office hit “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
One life-size dino is set outside of the MetroLux theatre, with signs pointing to the “Dinosaur Party” at the other end of the outlets, with more large dinosaurs — including the famed T-Rex — in the same area where a large Christmas tree is erected each holiday season.
Espinoza, 41, recalls seeing the first “Jurassic Park” when he was in elementary school in the ’90s, spawning a lifelong fascination with the extinct creatures that still lingers today.
“It stays forever. It’s going to spark an interest in her,” he said of his wide-eyed daughter.
The interactive exhibit is the brainchild of Anthony Marcotti, who owns the Camp Store at the Carlsbad State Beach campgrounds. He, too, has had a lifelong love for the creatures and earlier this year decided to order a few to set around the coastal campgrounds, dubbing it “Jurassic Beach.”
“I’ve never seen such a response. We had people driving from Los Angeles, Palm Springs,” he said. “They were overlooking the ocean, they looked like they were in their natural habitat.”
It was so successful, he decided to start renting them out. That’s when the outlets connected with him about bringing the exhibit to San Clemente.
And there’s more dino fun to come.
He’s bought about 30 more to add to a corn maze at Tanaka Farms in Costa Mesa, less spooky than traditional Halloween props, but still on-theme with bones and a slightly-scary vibe for an exhibit to be called “Jurassic Fright.”
“It’s going to be the best corn maze in the United States,” he said, noting there will be a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, games, the dinosaurs and other props like a volcano and T-Rex skull on display. “Dinosaurs are perfect for Halloween – there’s no blood or guts, but skulls and bones.”
While the outlets exhibit is free, the corn maze will be ticketed — but not overly expensive, Marcotti said, noting that the cost has yet to be determined.
“If it makes enough money, we’ll buy more dinosaurs. Everyone will have a dinosaur corn maze next year,” he said.
On a recent day, he watched as families came up to the dinos, snapping photos and marveling at the interactive creatures, which have a timer set to every 10 minutes, with a five-minute break, making their heads move and roaring sounds.
“I just like to watch the kids and see their reaction, more than anything. And immediately after, the parents’ reaction to the kids,” he said.
San Clemente mom Ana Schoonover brought her kids, Grace, 5, and Rocky, 3, after seeing a post on Instagram about the creatures.
“My favorite part is the ‘rooooar,” said Grace, noting that the T-Rex was her favorite among the group.
For Schoonover, it was a perfect free outing with her family, followed by a train ride around the outlets.
“I just think it’s so awesome,” she said. “Any mother knows, to see their kids smile – that’s all we can use for the day.”