California: 6 Places Where Can You Go to Dig for Gemstones in Ca

Where You Can Find Minerals and Gemstones in California?

Similar to the therapeutic relaxation of tossing a fishing line or hand-pressing fresh dough, a methodic hunt of natural resources—that is, finding gems—is worth a vacation, too. Consider taking a vacation to one of these geologically rich destinations and you might just find enough gemstones or precious metals to pay for the trip, because you can keep everything you find.

➤ Himalaya Mine, Mesa Grande District, California

The Himalaya Tourmaline Mine is located near Santa Ysabel, CA at Lake Henshaw in the beautiful Mesa Grande. Visitors can dig at Lake Henshaw Resort where they will dig and screen through ore from the world famous Himalaya Mine. Many minerals can be found including pink and green tourmaline, black tourmaline, quartz crystals, spessertine garnet, lepidolite, clevelandite, and a variety of others.
Adult Dig $75, youth 13 years old to 15 years old half price ($37.50), children 12 years old and under are free with paying adult.

6 Places Where Can You Go to Dig for Gemstones in California

Gemstones collection from Oceanview Mines, California.
Photo: Oceanview Mines

➤ Gold Prospecting Adventures, Jamestown, California

Gold Prospecting Adventures For over 40 years Gold Prospecting Adventures has offered an exciting variety of gold mining adventures. Located three hours east of San Francisco. Gold Prospecting Adventures is a great introduction for anyone, any age, who wants to find gold and learn something new.
Address: 18170 Main St, Jamestown, CA 95327

➤ The OceanView Mine, San Diego County, California

A visit to the Oceanview Mine allows you a unique view of the only actively working underground mine in the world famous Pala Gem mining district and a chance to find your own gems—tourmalines, kunzites, morganites and more. Fees: Adults $75 each, Under 11 years old $60 each. 20+ Member Group Discounts.
Address: 37304 Magee Rd, Pala, San Diego, California

➤ Opal Hill Mine, Mule Mountains District, Riverside Co., California

Opal Hill is well known for its beautiful and rare fire agate, opal eggs and quartz crystals. When one thinks of a mine, images of deep shafts or dark tunnels usually come to mind. The mine consists of rock outcroppings and holes where agate has been extracted. The Mine is located on BLM land which is an open area for camping.

➤ California State Gem Mine, New Idria District, California

The Benitoite Gem mine is famous for its rare and unique gemstone, benitoite. The Benitoite Gem mine is located on a small mining claim (the Dallas claim) in San Benito County, California, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Pricing: $70 per person, Kids 12 and younger, only $20.
Address: The Historic Old Road Camp, 48242 Los Gatos Rd. Coalinga, CA 93210

➤ The Pala Chief Mine, San Diego County, California

The deposits here were discovered in May 1903, and the mine produced large amounts of tourmaline. It was also the primary discovery site of the purple gem variety of spodumene known as kunzite, and the first true source of gem-quality kunzite. Fees: Adults/Children $75 each.
Address: 37304 Magee Rd, Pala, San Diego, California