While Southern California doesnt have a heap of different varieties, it is a source of gem-quality morganite. We dug some large crystals and discovered some fossil strata. There arent any active claims on that side. Gold has been responsible for a lot of human history. Always respect private property! The park offers a variety of minerals and gemstones, such as quartz, jasper, opalite, azurite and more. The site has interesting volcanic formations, lava tubes, caves, and geological features popular with people interested in geology. Geodes are natural formations. Amethyst. At the park, we headed up to the ridge, where there were plenty of quartz rocks. On one hand, you know the area has plenty for you to find, but on the other, youll likely have to contend with other rockhounds unless youre very lucky. The beaches all along the coast have long been favorite rockhounding destinations for their high quality specimens. Its about .1 miles north of Quartz Knob, and you can follow the signage to get to that point. However, its a wholesome environment for beginners to enjoy a day of digging, and its great for family trips. There are no campgrounds for RVs in the surrounding wilderness areas, either. The high altitude can also be a bit jarring for the inexperienced, and there arent any stores, hospitals, or services nearby. The Turtle Mountains consist of broad bajadas, volcanic peaks, cliffs, and spires. 1. South America is one of the places on Earth where geodes may be discovered, although they can also be found in other sites across Australia, Africa, and the United States. There are multiple mine entrances and exits that will allow more seasoned rockhounds to find large, high-quality specimens, and some can be dug up on the surface by beginners, too. 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. Best of all, you wont have to travel too far. Joshua Tree National Park contains many great rocks and minerals but is off-limits for collecting. 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. We found numerous geodes and crystals and some beautiful onyx stones and petrified wood pieces here at the site. The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Instead, most people seeking out gypsum formations in the Southern California desert are looking for the distinct shape of desert roses or the beautiful crystals of selenite. Look for geodes in places like riverbeds, locations with a lot of limestone, and beds of volcanic ash in nations like the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Madagascar. The area is somewhat remote. Wiley Well This is one of the most well-known places to collect in all of Southern California. The area is populated with ironwood, mesquite, smoke, and palo verde trees. If you go to SoCal to dig up geodes, you must visit the Cinnamon Beds dig site. Benitoite Mineral Oddly enough, the color favored for the simple use of topaz has changed from a brown-yellow close to citrine to a sky blue color thats fond often in the jewelry trade. Potato Farm or Field. Heres a brief overview of the mine if you decide to check it out. Alvord Mountains is located in Randsburg. Geodes are actually porous so more minerals get in and coat the inside. This is a rockhounding location in Tennessee that you'll want to visit during the winter months to have decent success. Where can I Rock Hunt in Northern California? They may even have wished to dig there. The mine dump offers an abundance of rocks and minerals within one square mile, giving visitors the chance to pick up fine examples of their favorite treasures. Its important to keep in mind that several commercial gem collectors work in the area and maintain mining claims. These deposits include the Hauser Geode Beds, the Hidden Saddle Beds, and the Straw Beds. The clear sort is the most common, but theres also a surprising amount of the pink variant known as morganite. What gems can be found in southern California? The Mojave Desert is located in Southern California near Los Angeles, so it's easy to get there quickly. Basaltic Rocks at Cady Mountains The Cady Mountains are located next to Barstow and have incredible basalt formations that attract rockhounding enthusiasts worldwide. Its pretty hard to miss the mountain itself, but the main mine entrance can be a little tricky to find. 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. The areas close to Crescent City and Eureka, as well as Siskiyou, Trinity, Modoc, and Mendocino Counties, are some of the greatest spots to go rockhounding in Northern California. Hauser Geode Beds. It includes step by step video on getting to the Geode beds, and what to watch out for and such. 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. You've got three main spots to find geodes in the Hauser Geode Bed proper. 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. What is the application of a cascade control system? Where in southern California can you find geodes? Try to collect several to avoid that. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Crystal Mountain is one of Northern Californias best quartz deposits. So, at least theres a spot nearby for you to camp if you plan a long trip. 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. Your email address will not be published. The Purple Heart Mine may be found in the Kingston Range in San Bernardino County in the southern part of California. Pino Grande isnt a fancy mine or anything. 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. 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. Palo Verde A nice variety of different fossils and minerals can be found in the desert just west of Palo Verde. Rockhounds can find a wide range of minerals here; nonetheless, the vast majority of them are searching for geodes of exceptional quality. The combination of high price and rarity makes hunting for these stones a bucket list item for many. Northern California offers some of the states best rockhounding opportunities. The Turtle Mountains offer some interesting hiking and animal watching opportunities. Along with rockhounding, Clear Creek is also a great place for hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and camping. Read More: Ultimate Guide To Tourmaline | What It Is and Where To Find It! We found rare rocks, fossils, and minerals in the desert. We found some quartz specimens with beautiful inclusions and pyrite cubes scattered on the ground during our visit to Lake Cachumas south shore trail. You might find some odd trinkets among the rubble of the California side of the range, but the area isnt known for having other minerals. Where can I find geodes in Orange County? Traverse Creek is free, and its fairly close to town. Its open to the public, and its a perfect place for both families and serious rock collectors. The Hauser Geode Beds near Blythe, California are a site of pilgrimage for rockhounds who want to find geodes rich in quartz. There are quite a few rockhounding sites that could be reached with a 4-wheeler. The Oceanview Gem Mine and Pala Chief mine, found in Southern Californias Chief Mountains, is a fee-pay mine that allows you to dig for gems and the like. In this article, we'll look at how to make the best of your trip to the Hauser Geode Beds. Start the prowl for polished glory at Pebble Beach. Good luck, and have fun! As a result, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) highly discourages the use of asbestos portions in this location. The majority of the blue material that shows up has been irradiated since the radiation will bring out the blue color in the majority of clear topaz. The best time of year to visit this location is during the winter because there are few visitors in the park. Fire agate is one of the few agate varieties that has found a place in high-end traditional jewelry. The mines in Kern County are the only known locations in California that contain gem-fire opals, and they are one of just three opal fields that are recognized in the whole United States. 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. Remember! Where To Find Geodes In Southern California. Some of the areas where one can look for jade are Willow Creek, Gem Cove, San Simeon, Jade Cove and Sand Dollar Beach. Always respect private property! How Long Can I Collect Unemployment In California? The large variety of geodes and minerals is also a bonus if you want to quickly build a varied collection of stones. The Hauser Geode Beds are well-known among geode collectors and may be found in the city of Blythe in the state of California. Opal Hill is located in eastern California near the border with Arizona. Amethyst. To get you headed in the right direction, search for Milpitas Wash Road and follow it west off of route 78. For those willing to brave a bit of sun and sand this is a great region for rockhounding, with the potential for finding some very rare stones if you know where to look. So, a simple scan of the area can give you a good idea of where you should start digging. The Best Places to Look for Geodes in Southern California Hauser Geode Beds. Here are our favorite spots to hunt rocks, crystals, and fossils that you should check out if you are visiting the area. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Many places in Southern California offer excellent opportunities to discover new treasures. It is your responsibility to know the rockhounding laws and regulations for each site you visit. Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Kellogg Beach, which is more secluded, is located directly to the north of Pebble Beach. The beach known as Crescent Beach is located in Crescent City, California. The best of both can be found in Inyo County, which is a great place to start if youre on the hunt for some gypsum. Summer months can make rockhounding a strenuous and impractical activity due to extreme temperatures, so its best to visit during spring, fall, or winter. 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. Clear Creek contains areas with serpentine soil, which has naturally occurring asbestos said to be a health hazard. Here the best samples are often found in the same mines, making it a good spot to start cracking open some stone. Geodes are usually found below the ground surface. Called the Serpent Mound zinc district, it's home to some geodes containing calcite and barite. Some of the best states to find geodes include Iowa, Oregon, Wyoming, and Nevada. The geode cave is in places 35 feet in . There are locations suitable for geode gathering all throughout the United States, including California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Iowa. Because in this article Im going to share with you some of the best places to find geodes in Southern California. While weve switched to a different kind of currency these days, gold remains a valuable mineral and is often used in electronics as well as jewelry. The Potato Patch is a geode bed that's right next to the Hauser Geode Beds. Turtle Mountains offer some interesting hiking and animal watching opportunities California offer excellent opportunities to new! 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