Rockhounding California: A Guide to the State’s Best Rockhounding Sites

Discover California’s remarkable variety of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, and gold-producing regions with Rockhounding California by Gail A. Butler and Shep Koss. This fully revised second edition profiles 75 of the state’s best rockhounding destinations, ranging from well-known collecting areas to lesser-known sites waiting to be explored.

Explore California’s Rockhounding Sites

California offers an extraordinary range of collecting environments. Search mineral-rich deserts, explore mountains and foothills, prospect in historic gold country, or comb coastal beaches for fascinating specimens.

Materials discussed in the guide include:

• Gold and copper

• Jade and agate

• Fossils and fossilized whale bone

• Abalone and coastal specimens

• Colorful rocks, minerals, and gemstones

A Practical Guide for the Field

Each featured location includes useful information to help readers research and plan their rockhounding adventures.

The guide features:

• 75 recommended California rockhounding sites

• Maps, directions, and GPS coordinates

• Popular and commercial collecting locations

• Numerous lesser-known rockhounding areas

• Information about collecting and preparing specimens

• California rockhound club listings

• Guidance for beginners entering the hobby

• Useful information for experienced collectors

Benefits

• Locate productive collecting areas across California

• Explore deserts, beaches, mountains, and historic mining regions

• Identify opportunities to collect rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils

• Plan trips using site directions and GPS coordinates

• Learn proper methods for collecting and preparing specimens

• Discover new destinations for individual or family adventures

Book Specifications

• Title: Rockhounding California: A Guide to the State’s Best Rockhounding Sites

• Authors: Gail A. Butler and Shep Koss

• Series: Rockhounding Series

• Edition: Second Edition

• Publisher: Falcon Guides

• Publication Date: June 19, 2012

• Format: Trade paperback

• Pages: 240

• Language: English

• ISBN-10: 0762771410

• ISBN-13: 9780762771417

• Dimensions: Approximately 5.9 inches wide × 8.9 inches high × 0.6 inch thick

• Weight: Approximately 0.65 pound

Ideal For

• Beginning and experienced rockhounds

• Gem and mineral collectors

• Gold prospectors

• Fossil hunters

• Families planning outdoor adventures

• California travelers and explorers

• Geology and natural-history enthusiasts

Rockhounding California is a valuable field companion for anyone ready to explore the Golden State’s diverse geological treasures. Keep it in your vehicle or field pack when planning your next collecting adventure.

Responsible collecting reminder: Site accessibility, land ownership, regulations, and collecting restrictions can change. Always verify current rules before visiting, obtain required permission or permits, respect private property and active mining claims, and never collect from protected parks, archaeological sites, or other prohibited areas.

A complete guide to finding, collecting and preparing the state's gems and minerals. 

Includes: 

• Maps
• GPS Coordinates
• Suggested Tools and Techniques
• Land-use regulations and restrictions
• Information on nearby camping
• List of the state's rockhound clubs
• Additional information on rock shops, attractions and local history