Rockhounding in California: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: California has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 155 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 118 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 37 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
See all 155 spots on the California map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your rock hammer and hand tools, no permission needed.
- Yellow: public land with an active mining claim. Ask the claim holder before you dig.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
What people find in California
Gemstone (54 spots), Garnet (18 spots), Rhodochrosite (17 spots), Jasper (9 spots), Pegmatite (mica) (7 spots), Pegmatite (feldspar) (7 spots), Tourmaline (7 spots), Jade (4 spots), Rose quartz (4 spots), Azurite (4 spots), Opal (4 spots), Emerald (4 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in California?
We haven't found a place in California set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 118 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gem and mineral sites in California under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in California is on public land open to prospecting, but 37 of the 155 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 118 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in California?
We haven't listed one in California yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.