California Gem & Crystal Mining Spots

Here are the best gem mining locations in California where you can dig for stunning gemstones. Each spot offers a unique experience, with locations like San Diego County’s pegmatite deposits producing vibrant tourmaline, kunzite, and morganite, and San Benito County offering rare benitoite, prized for its brilliant blue fluorescence.

Visit fee-based sites like the Oceanview Mine to unearth gem-quality crystals, or explore Mojave Desert public lands for geodes, jasper, and agate. Historic districts such as Pala have produced world-class specimens since the 1890s. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rockhound, California’s mineral-rich areas provide the perfect destination to discover natural treasures with the right permits and preparation.

Oceanview Mine, Pala, San Diego County

Located in Southern California’s historic Pala mining district, the Oceanview Mine is a unique public-access underground mine where visitors can dig for their own gemstones. Set within the Pala Chief Mountain complex, this site offers a four-hour digging experience using provided equipment such as screens and buckets.

Participants keep all the gems they find and can take home one 5-gallon bucket of rocks. The mine has a storied history, dating back to the early 20th century, when its pink tourmaline was highly prized by Chinese royalty and helped fuel international demand for this gem.

The Pala mining district is well known for its rich pegmatite deposits, formed by slow-cooling magma deep in the Earth’s crust. Over millions of years, these pegmatites and associated quartz veins became enriched with elements like lithium and beryllium, producing a wealth of gem-quality minerals—most notably kunzite, tourmaline, and morganite.

At Oceanview Mine, visitors may discover pink tourmaline, kunzite, and morganite among their finds. Dig fees are 75$ for adults and 60$ for children under 11, with all digging equipment, buckets, and identification guidance included. Booking a reservation in advance through the official website is required.

In addition to mining, Jeep tours of nearby historic mines are offered for those interested in learning about California’s gem mining history. For the best visit, wear sturdy clothes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and pack water and snacks, as the outdoor mining area can be dusty and warm.

Contact Information:

• Website: oceanviewmine.com (for bookings and visitor details)
• Email: digforgems@gmail.com
• Phone: +1 760-415-9143
• Address: 37304 Magee Rd, Pala, CA 92059, USA

Himalaya Mine, Gem Hill, Mesa Grande Mining District, San Diego County

The Himalaya Mine, found on Gem Hill in San Diego County’s Mesa Grande Mining District, is one of the top destinations in the country for gem mining. Discovered in 1898, it’s a major source of vibrant pink and green tourmaline, as well as gem-quality beryl and quartz. The pegmatite deposits, formed during the Cretaceous period, have made the mine famous among rockhounds and collectors for over a century.

Today, visitors can search for stunning specimens at a fee-dig site near Lake Henshaw, keeping any gems they find. The mine’s LCT-type (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) granitic pegmatite is ideal for forming prized crystals, with pegmatite dikes in the area producing high-quality tourmaline, beryl, quartz, and rare minerals like lepidolite and cleavelandite.

Explore the mine and you could uncover gems including pink and green tourmaline, black tourmaline, quartz crystals, spessartine garnet, and lepidolite. The public dig site is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 AM–3 PM (Monday by reservation), with fees of $75 per adult per day, while kids under 12 dig free with a paying adult. All necessary tools are included.

For the best experience, visit between April and October, and bring gloves, a toothbrush for cleaning, and containers for your finds. Check current details, hours, and reservation requirements on the mine’s website or by phone before your trip.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 775-830-5797
• Website: highdesertgemsandminerals.com
• Address: 26142 CA-76, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

Julian Mining Company, Julian Mining District, San Diego County

Julian Mining Company, established in 2007 in Julian, California, offers a family-friendly mining adventure with authentic gold rush history. Just 45 minutes from downtown San Diego, this popular weekend spot invites visitors to enjoy hands-on activities like gold panning, gem sluicing, and tomahawk throwing. The attraction is perfect for day trips, educational field trips, and guests of all ages. Additional amenities include a general store and themed educational tour options.

California gem mining spots showing garnet, kunzite, tourmaline, and quartz crystal found in pegmatites and alluvial gravels.

Located in the mineral-rich Julian Mining District, part of the Peninsular Ranges Batholith formed during the Cretaceous period, the area is known for its gold-bearing quartz veins. While Julian’s main claim to fame is gold, the mining company sources gem-rich material from various locations so guests can pan for gold and discover gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, and amethysts.

Visitors can find a range of gems, including ruby (corundum), emerald (beryl), amethyst (quartz), and other gems included in the company’s sluicing bags. Activities and pricing vary: gold panning is 9$ for adults and 7$ for children (includes instructions and unlimited ore), gem sluicing ranges from $15.95 to 80$ depending on bag or bucket size, fossil and artifact digging is 5$ per child. Group field trips are also available by reservation.

The site is open weekends all year, making it convenient for spontaneous outings. Cash is recommended for exact payments. For the best experience, bring gloves, a toothbrush for cleaning specimens, and containers for your finds. The nearby town of Julian offers charming lodging and dining options to complete your adventure.

Contact Information:

• Website: www.julianminingcompany.com
• Phone: See the website for the most current contact details
• Hours: Saturdays 10 AM – 5 PM, Sundays 12 PM – 5 PM
• Address: 4444 State Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036

Benitoite Mining Company, Los Gatos Road, San Benito County

The Benitoite Mining Company is a family-run destination that gives visitors the chance to unearth benitoite—California’s rare state gemstone. While the original mine is near New Idria in San Benito County, the public dig site operates at 48242 Los Gatos Creek Rd in Coalinga, Fresno County. Here, guests can sift through transported ore with provided sieves during instructional and guided sessions. Open on select dates, the experience combines hands-on gem hunting with educational tours, making it an excellent outing for families, collectors, and rock enthusiasts.

Benitoite is a rare, bright blue barium titanium silicate best known for its striking fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Discovered in 1907 in San Benito County, this gemstone forms in serpentinite host rocks along with minerals like neptunite and joaquinite.

At the dig site, visitors have opportunities to search for benitoite, neptunite, joaquinite, and natrolite. Fees are 140$ per adult and 140$ per adult and 75$ per child (12 and under), which covers access to the dig site, on-site assistance, and the chance to keep any gems found. Staff provide guidance on gem hunting and identification, and a portable UV light can help reveal benitoite’s signature glow.

Reservations are required in advance and can be made on the company’s website. The site is open from 9 AM to 3 PM on scheduled dig days. Guests should bring comfortable clothing, gloves, sunscreen, hats, and lunch, as well as drinks. For the best experience, check the schedule online and make reservations early.

Contact Information:

• Website: benitoitemining.com
• Phone: +1 (833) GEM-HUNT
• Email: john@benitoitemining.com
• Address: 48242 Los Gatos Creek Rd, Coalinga, CA 93210

Pala Chief Gem Mine, Chief Mountain, Pala Mining District, San Diego County

The Pala Chief Mine is a historic and well-known mining site in the Pala District of San Diego County, California. Famous for its rich pegmatite deposits, this seasonal mine invites rockhounds and gem enthusiasts to dig for beautiful and rare crystals. Unlike some pay-to-dig venues, the Pala Chief Mine requires guests to bring their own tools, making it especially popular with experienced collectors eager for a truly hands-on adventure.

The mine sits on Chief Mountain in a region celebrated for lithium-rich pegmatites formed millions of years ago. The mineral-rich veins here are particularly famed for producing high-quality tourmaline and kunzite (a pink/lilac spodumene), along with morganite, aquamarine, garnet, lepidolite, and quartz. This area, also home to the well-known Oceanview Mine in Southern California.

At the Pala Chief Mine, you can search for bicolored or blue-green tourmaline, kunzite, morganite, aquamarine, garnet, lepidolite, and quartz. Admission fees are typically 75–100$ per person for a full-day dig, which includes taking home one 5-gallon bucket of washed material. Additional buckets may be purchased. Reservations are required and can be made online or by phone.

Be sure to dress in sturdy clothing, bring sunscreen, water, and gloves, and note that all digging equipment—shovels, picks, buckets, and screens—must be supplied by visitors. The dig season runs from October through June to avoid summer heat, with the spring months offering especially comfortable conditions. For the best results, focus on the tailings near exposed pegmatite faces, and bring a hand lens to help spot small, valuable crystals.

Contact Information:

• Email: digforgems@gmail.com
• Website: www.palachiefmine.com
• Address: 37304 Magee Rd, Pala, CA 92059