If youre looking to gather some fire agate of your own then youll want to check out the Mule Mountains of Riverside County. Phone services are hit-and-miss, so make sure to always explore the area with a partner or a friend. The geodes tend to be a much lighter brown than the other rocks in the area. Because in this article Im going to share with you some of the best places to find geodes in Southern California. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That said, a lot of garnets are pulled from the various areas in this region of different grades and types. Garnet actually describes a large group of different minerals with different colors, but the most commonly known are almandine garnets of the red variety. San Diego is even known as one of the largest producers of gemstones. CCG Wholesale Crystals & Imports. The morganite of Southern California is found in the same pegmatites as tourmaline, to the northeast of San Diego. Thanks to its incredible geologic diversity, the Golden State is one of the best places in the world to rockhound. You can also find other minerals and crystals in the area, but they're not nearly as common. The Purple Heart Mine may be found in the Kingston Range in San Bernardino County in the southern part of California. The amethyst stone can be found in pockets and veins of quartz further up on the eastern slopes of the mountain range. Here the best samples are often found in the same mines, making it a good spot to start cracking open some stone. You can find geodes worldwide and in almost all U.S. states. The Purple Heart Mine is located in the Kingston Range of the San Bernardino County in southern California and surrounded by large igneous rocks. River and vegetation cause mosquitoes to run amok, so dont forget your bug spray! The rockhounding site has a good collection of chalcedony, agate, petrified wood, chrysocolla, and malachite specimens. If youre fond of trilobites, you shouldnt miss Chamblesss Rock Collecting Area. Jade Cove. In SoCal, the main draws are gem-grade spessartine garnet and grossular garnet. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Opal Hill, located in eastern California near the border of Arizona, is known for its beautiful opal eggs, quartz crystals, and wonderful fire agates so it is one of the best places for gem hunting in california. Geology students, rock and mineral enthusiasts and local school classes often go to the area to see what they can pull out of the dirt. On the other hand, gem-grade garnets are frequently cut for jewelry. Ultimate Guide to Garnets | What They Are and Where To Find Them, Where to Find Geodes in Southern California (Top Geode Dig Sites), The Uncle Sam Diamond: Unveiled After 40 Years (The Story Behind This Record Setting Diamond), One-of-a-Kind Discovery: Unusual Diamond Found with Another Diamond Inside, Ancient Amethyst Ring May Have Served as Hangover Prevention, Man Discovers 794-Pound Emerald Worth $300 Million, Rare Discovery Reveals Insect Trapped in Opal! The most famous of these sites is called the Hauser Geode Beds, which are located at Wiley Well in the northern region of Imperial Valley, CA. Desert entrepreneur Delmer G. Ross wrote an outstanding GPS users guide for rockhounding in Wileys west district of California. You may also test to see if the rock is hollow by shaking it while holding it up to your ear. Some of the best locations sport all three types and even complex arrangements like brecciated jasp-agate which is jasper that was broken down and reformed later with clear chalcedony. Your goal is Opal Canyon in the Mojave Desert, which is home to two opal mines and offers tourists the opportunity to dig for and retain the legendary semiprecious stones they find. The quality of the quartz varies, and youre not as likely to find electronics-grade quartz up there, but smokey variants and even amethyst are somewhat common. There are quite a few well-known deposits of geodes and nodules in the Black Hills of Imperial County, California. Rockhounding enthusiasts love Chambless because it has many interesting sites to discover rocks, crystals, and fossils. Ever since the discovery of geode beds in the early 1930s, Wileys Well became one of the most popular rockhounding sites in Southern California. The good news is that you can find lots of crystals and minerals without much hassle. Other treasures at Chief Mountain include feldspar crystals and aquamarine. This location may also be referred to as Coon Hollow, and it can be found deep within the Mule Mountains not too far from Palo Verde, California. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. Deserts, coastal lines, beaches, and forests are all a short trip away, making it one of the best places for such activities. Youll also need the basics like a collection bucket and brushes. Southern Californias singular geological composition is responsible for the regions production of a number of the worlds most exquisite gemstones and minerals, including but not limited to tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, topaz, garnet, and gold. If that sounds like you, you wont regret visiting the location. Amethyst. Those tend to produce the largest and most desirable geodes in the area. The majority of the time, geodes have a round or oval form, even if they arent completely spherical. Once you get to Wiley Campground, youll have no problem finding either dig site. The Palo Verde Mountain Wilderness is located 18 miles southwest of Blythe, California, and the Mayflower County Park Campground, both of which have services and amenities available. This site is not only known for producing on-average, larger thundereggs; but also containing cores that are usually a . An active mining operation sits on top of it. Fire agate is in a different league than most agate when it comes to pricing. Kellogg Beach, which is more secluded, is located directly to the north of Pebble Beach. In this lower Sonoran Desert landscape, rock-hounders are gifted with a unique variety of thunderegg. The Potato Patch is a geode bed thats right next to the Hauser Geode Beds. This type of tourmaline is known as schorl and its the most common type by far, making up more than 90% of the tourmaline found worldwide. 1. A good piece can be worth a ton of money and the skilled labor required to process them properly makes the price even higher. On rare occasions, it will show a bit of blue and on even rarer ones youll see a light green color. Alongside geodes, you may also find the occasional thunderegg. Plus, its easily accessible, and the parking area is close to where you can start your search. (Find Of a Lifetime! Most of the local digging sites are a short distance away via hiking or driving in an off-road vehicle. Howlands Landing, in nearby pegmatite outcrop. The desert roses found in California can be quite rare and tend to have a more jagged appearance compared to those from Arizona and New Mexico. Where is the best place to find geodes in Arizona? Sometimes called Coon Hollow, this site is located deep in the Mule Mountains not far from Palo Verde, CA. The Apollo 15 sample 15415, better known as the Genesis Rock. After obtaining a deed to the area, he heavily mined it for serpentine before finding large deposits of quartz, amethyst, tremolite, and other minerals. We learned that the area is a former gold mine. Remember! Called the Serpent Mound zinc district, it's home to some geodes containing calcite and barite. So, a simple scan of the area can give you a good idea of where you should start digging. The deserts and mountains of Southern California are beautiful, and they also house an amazing array of different gems and minerals. The Potato Patch is a geode bed thats right next to the Hauser Geode Beds. The area is somewhat remote. Rockhounds can find a wide range of minerals here; nonetheless, the vast majority of them are searching for geodes of exceptional quality. So, heres a link thatll allow you to view the public digging schedule, pricing and fees, and all the cool events the owners put on for the public! A lot of great digging areas are on private land, and the landowners probably wont take kindly to you digging up their land. For the most part, Potato Patch is just like Hauser. These are all places where geodes are commonly found. ). Your destination is Opal Canyon, the Mojave Desert home of two opal mines that allow visitors to hunt and keep the fabled semiprecious stones. Californias Himalaya Mine is located in the Mesa Grande District, Jamestown, Californias Gold Prospecting Adventures, The OceanView Mine, located in the county of San Diego in the state of California. Most of the rocks hide under boulders and in crannies. Since its not as popular or as well-known, youll likely have the entire site to yourself. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. Hauser Geode Beds. Start your search a few miles outside of town. As a result, a wide number of wildlife species inhabit the desert. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Crystal Mountain is one of Northern Californias best quartz deposits. Afton Canyon in Southern California is a popular spot for rock hounding. Where To Find Geodes In Southern California, Rockhounding California: A Guide To The State's Best Rockhounding Sites, The Uncle Sam Diamond: Unveiled After 40 Years (The Story Behind This Record Setting Diamond), One-of-a-Kind Discovery: Unusual Diamond Found with Another Diamond Inside, Ancient Amethyst Ring May Have Served as Hangover Prevention, Man Discovers 794-Pound Emerald Worth $300 Million, Rare Discovery Reveals Insect Trapped in Opal! Theyre generally found in areas of past volcanic activity, where digging through the ancient ash is quite easy. Try to collect several to avoid that. Geodes are natural formations. The surrounding hills of the Calico Mountains are a great place for rockhounding. RockSeeker.com is reader-supported. To this day people still head to SoCal hoping to strike it rich in the rivers and streams of the area. While Southern California doesnt have a heap of different varieties, it is a source of gem-quality morganite. Crescent City, California is referred to as South Beach. The most famous of these sites is called the Hauser Geode Beds, which are located at Wiley Well in the northern region of Imperial Valley, CA. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. We collected agates, jaspers, and petrified wood specimens at this popular rockhounding site not too far from civilization. Where to Find Oregon Agates (Tips and Locations), Rockhounding In New Mexico! The OceanView Mine, San Diego County, California. Theres a lot of open ground to explore, so we recommend taking a good vehicle on your trip. In the same area there are also the North Black Hills Geode Beds and the Cinnamon Geode Beds. Always respect private property! The Potato Patch is a geode bed that's right next to the Hauser Geode Beds. It does have large geode deposits, though. Lake Cachuma is located near Santa Barbara. The area inland of San Diego hosts pegmatites that contain some of the best tourmalines in the world, along with some of the rarest varieties like the rubellite mentioned above and indicolite. The state contains thousands of rockhounding locations which include mines, quarries, ocean beaches, and stream beds. The most famous of these sites is called the Hauser Geode Beds, which are located at Wiley Well in the northern region of Imperial Valley, CA. Its just public land, and there arent any shops to rent rock hammers and other equipment from. ). If you have a passion for exploring abandoned mines, you should make your way to the Cinnamon Geode Beds, which are located around 15 miles north of Joshua Tree National Park along Interstate 10. The amethyst stone can be found in pockets and veins of quartz further up on the eastern slopes of the mountain range. In the U.S., you can find geodes easily in the western states. Its open to the public, and its a perfect place for both families and serious rock collectors. It is an extremely rare rock. Pinnacles National Park is home to the Balconies Caves, filled with crystals, geodes, and fossils. North Black Hills Geode Beds. Where to look for agates in the wild Crescent City, California is the location of Pebble Beach. The key to successfully rockhounding in Pino Grande is to get to know the area first. Once you get there, you are not going to find geodes calling your name - as this is one of the best known rock areas in California and has been listed in rockhound books for six decades. Occupying the northeastern part of the Colorado Desert, Wileys Well is home to the famous Potato Patch and Opal Hill Mine, both of which are known for their outstanding collection of thundereggs and fire agate. The Black Hills are located at the very eastern edge of the Colorado Desert, which is a part of the northwestern Sonoran Desert. Laws are updated. It just depends on what youre into. Geodes are found throughout the world, but the most concentrated areas are located in the deserts. Although the state of California, the state of Utah, the state of Nevada, the state of Iowa, and the state of Arizona are all famous for their geodes, geodes may be found in the majority of other states as well. Rockhounding Locations in Southern California. We went on a sunny day without sunscreen or water bottles, but we were lucky because it was easy to collect crystals near the boulders by the shore. Star Peak - The area on the E side of Star Peak has been known to contain geodes. The Geode Shop. Its unmarked, and there arent any road signs to help you out. Slate Mountain is home to an old mine, like Crystal Mountain, and it has similar geodes for you to collect. Of course, if you were to ask any serious rock collector, theyll probably not tell you the exact location of their favorite dig site. Along the rocky coastal stretch of Big Sur in California there are number of spots where jade stone can be found. We found almost everything we could ask for in this one-stop spot: an abundance of beautiful rocks, crystal clear mining pools, engaging geology lessons, and abundant wildlife. Where in southern California can you find geodes? This is the location where they were generated. Rockhounding Locations in Northern California 1 Crescent City, CA. Your email address will not be published. The Hauser Geode Beds are famous among geode collectors, and theyre located in Blythe, California. Along with over two dozen collecting sites, he also details the lands historical information and geological past. And it offers opportunities to discover exciting rocks and minerals for all kinds of rockhounding enthusiasts. Crystal Vista Arkansas | Dig Your Own Crystals For Free! The geodes tend to be found near creeks and streams in the area, and you'll have to look around a bit to find areas that are open to the public. Visitors can hike through these caves on their own or take a tour led by park rangers. We dug some amazing geodes filled with clear quartz crystals. The Kern County mines are the only known sources of gem-fire opals in California, and one of only three recognized opal fields in the United States. The Purple Heart Mine may be found in the Kingston Range in San Bernardino County in the southern part of California. Step 2: Keep your eyes peeled Geodes are rarely smooth due to how they are formed. The Turtle Mountains offer some interesting hiking and animal watching opportunities. Multiple species of wildlife reside in the areas numerous springs and seeps, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, roadrunners, and several species of birds and lizards. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. All across California, amateur geologists are scouring for ancient rocks, valuable minerals and world-famous gems. A-Z Jewelry Supply & Crystal Shop. Limestone and marble are likewise available in handfuls in abandoned quarries a few miles outside of town. The Little San Bernardino Mountains are located near the town of Big Bear in Southern California. Here, you can freely hunt, hike, fish, and partake in wildlife watching. Opal Hill is located in eastern California near the border with Arizona. Your email address will not be published. Across the entire state its not uncommon to be able to find a bit of color in the pan when you dip into streams and creeks. The key to successfully rockhounding in Pino Grande is to get to know the area first. Potato Farm or Field. These big igneous rocks can be seen everywhere around the mine. As a general rule of thumb, any large rocks that are placed there by road crews as a means of erosion control or water control are 100% illegal to remove. Visitors can find everything from agate, quartz, jasper, rhyolite, opal, and petrified wood. Consider going to the Crystal Mine, which is located close to Loyalton in California, if you are looking for an unusual place to spend the day that will undoubtedly lead to an exciting experience. The Sand Dollar Beach is located about 9 miles from Lucia that lies in Monterey County of California close to the National Park of Los Padres. Although they may be discovered in almost any part of the planet, geodes are most commonly found in arid environments. A friend recommended the Mojave Desert when asked about the best places to go rockhounding when visiting. The state is home to dozens of different places to go rock hunting, including as mines, quarries, seaside beaches, and stream beds. If youre interested, the best place to start looking is near the famous tourmaline mines to the Northeast of San Diego. The desert ground can be a bit tough. In the less worked over beds, like the Potato Patch, it's still a promising way to find geodes. You can find many exciting crystals there, including amethyst, garnet, quartz, and chalcedony. Unfortunately, vehicles arent permitted inside the wilderness boundaries, so youll have to do the majority of your exploring on foot. When To Plant Fruit Trees In Southern California? Just an hour north of Los Angeles, Tick Canyon Mine Dump is the perfect place to visit for an afternoon of rockhounding. They are there for a structural purpose and are private property. Since the location is now accessible to the general public, rock hounds frequently visit there to look for treasures. The site may be popular, but its not a company-based location. Additionally, the North Black Hills Geode Beds and the Cinnamon Geode Beds may be found in the same general region. ). If youre looking to visit Crystal Mountain, youll want to head to Sierra County, California. The list of places to go rockhounding is endless, but these are some of our favorite destinations. It is your responsibility to know the rockhounding laws and regulations for each site you visit. In this article, we'll look at how to make the best of your trip to the Hauser Geode Beds. Where is the best place to find crystals in California? While not overly large, theyre still a significant find for most collectors. Garnets are most often found in metamorphic stones like marble. While not of immediate value, like steel, the fact that its pretty and doesnt oxidize made it a useful store of value, since purity could often be easily determined. This area is home to some of the best rockhounding in all of California. To get to Peterson Mountain, you can take 395 outside of Reno, or you can go north of Hallelujah Junction on the California side. The best places are usually in mines that are open for the public, specifically in the Pala mining district. Tourmaline is a famous gemstone, whether youre a fan of the deep colors of rubellite and indicolite or prefer it in the color-zoned watermelon tourmaline configuration. There are many easily accessible geode collecting sites in the western United States, including in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. It is located to the east of Boundary Peak and several miles southwest of Coaldale Junction. The Hauser Geode Beds are well-known among geode collectors and may be found in the city of Blythe in the state of California. The counties of Riverside and Imperial include the greatest number of geode sites per square mile in all of Southern California. If you are going to Southern California with the intention of digging up geodes, you absolutely have to go to the Cinnamon Beds dig site. The site has different types of rocks and minerals, so you might find valuable samples there. Its an excellent place for hikers to seek out volcanic bombs and rocks. You can expect excruciatingly hot temperatures, and there arent any nearby services for you to take advantage of. Hauser Geode Beds The Hauser Geode Beds are famous among geode collectors, and they're located in Blythe, California. Visitors can hunt along both the upper and lower canyon trails. The outer shell hardens first while the inside remains partially hollow. If you arrive at Hauser, and there are a lot of other collectors digging in the best spots, or if you just cant find a comfortable spot to dig, you can always follow the signage to reach Potato Patch. We had to wait for an hour until we found a parking spot. Why is rockhounding popular in California? Is it illegal to take rocks from the desert in California? You can also find other minerals and crystals in the area, but theyre not nearly as common. Crystal Tips No. This location may also be referred to as Coon Hollow, and it can be found deep within the Mule Mountains not too far from Palo Verde, California. Once you get to the geode beds, youll need some fairly tough tools. The Ernst Quarries are your best bet for marine fossils in Southern California. When looking for geodes, you should seek for rocks that have a rough surface and are spherical or egg-shaped. Because Opal Hill is famed for its stunning opal eggs, quartz crystals, and exquisite fire agates, it is considered to be one of the greatest spots for gem searching in the state of California. It's located in a town called Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. Its also open year-round, so we visit the site any time we can. The minerals youll find include tourmaline, aquamarine, lepidolite, morganite, quartz crystals, feldspar crystals, and many more. If you want clear, sizeable specimens, the mines are your best bet. Besides quartz, you probably wont find much, though. We paid a small fee to book a reservation. Its also very rare, even in less than stellar grades, and its a favorite to hunt for many hobbyist gem hunters. Good luck, and have fun! Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, California. So, theyre easy to find. Youll mostly find Devonian marine fossils, and youll be expected to bring your own tools or rent a set. Explore these natural spots for a better chance of finding a geode. (Find Of a Lifetime! Clear Creek is home to over 150 semi-precious minerals and gemstones, including quartz, jadeite, cinnabar, garnets, and the California State rare gemstone, benitoite. We also encountered many locals who tried to sell us their stones. The beaches all along the coast have long been favorite rockhounding destinations for their high quality specimens. The area has some of the best rockhounding sites youll find near LA and outside of Alaska. Some miners dig in the washes and gullies where the ash layer is easy to see. Disclosure: These are links to Amazon. Minerals seep into the holes and harden. How Long Can I Collect Unemployment In California? So, lets dig into the various rocks and minerals you can find in sunny Southern California and where you should start looking! The Himalaya Tourmaline Mine is located near Santa Ysabel, CA at Lake Henshaw in the beautiful Mesa Grande is the best place for gem hunting in california. 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