The federal mineral record holds 42,772 entries for California — 18,466 mines that shipped ore, 5,699 prospects that never became mines, 11,810 recorded occurrences. Below it: 7 places where you can legally collect.
Mineral history, not an invitation. This mineral history comes from a federal record of historic mines, prospects, and occurrences. It is not a list of places to collect. Historic mine sites are usually on private land, under active mining claims, or unsafe to enter — and often all three. The places you can actually collect are in the legal-access directory below.
The commodities that drew miners and prospectors to California, by number of historic records:
Gold · 24,162Silver · 4,632Copper · 4,190Chromium · 2,387Lead · 1,929Manganese · 1,732Tungsten · 1,500Mercury · 1,045
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Coalinga, CA
benitoiteneptunitejoaquinite
Fee dig · Fee · by reservation only, 9am-3pm on open days; weekday bookings require a minimum of three adult tickets. Check the reservation calendar for available dates
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Chambless Rock Collecting Area
Amboy, CA
hematitemagnetiteepidote
BLM collecting area · Free · October through April; this is open Mojave with no shade and no water at any season
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Gorda, CA
nephrite jadeserpentinevulcan jade
Public land, rules apply · Free · year-round, but winter storms and minus tides expose the most jade; the cove is unsafe to work in heavy surf
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Pala, CA
pink and green tourmalinekunzitemorganite
Fee dig · Fee · year-round, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only; the gate opens 10am sharp and the dig runs four hours from the start. Reservations required
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Pala, CA
pink tourmalinekunzitemorganite
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · October to June, digs held only twice a month on selected Sundays, 8am sharp to 1pm — check the operator's calendar; reservations required, 48 hours or more ahead
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Savahia Peak Rock Collecting Area
Needles, CA
chalcedonychalcedony rosesagate
BLM collecting area · Free · October through April; summer temperatures here routinely make collecting unsafe
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Wiley Well District Geode Beds
Blythe, CA
geodesagate noduleschalcedony
BLM collecting area · Free · October through April only — summer heat out here is genuinely dangerous; graded dirt roads wash out after rain
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
GoldSilverCopperQuartz CrystalsAgatesGeodesGarnetsFluoriteBerylGemstones
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 7 in California: fee digs, designated collecting areas, and official localities, each checked against its source. Everywhere else, legality depends on who owns the land and what rules apply. Before any trip: check land ownership and current mining claims, get permission, respect closures, and never enter old mine workings.
Treat California's historic mines as history, not destinations. Most sit on private land or active mining claims, and old workings are dangerous even to walk. The mineral record on this page tells you what the ground holds — the directory tells you where you are welcome to look for it.