Where to Find Chert in California
3 mapped chert rockhounding spots in California, across 3 counties. Chert is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. California offers a remarkable spread, from gold-bearing rivers in the Mother Lode to jade beaches on the central coast and the agate-and-jasper hills of the Mojave.
Map of 3 chert rockhounding spots in California
Chert by county in California
Counties ranked by number of chert spots in our database.
Every chert spot in California
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Butte FoothillsDenise Avenue | Kern County | 35.0493, -117.8247 | Public | |
| Coyote Point | San Mateo County | 37.5915, -122.3204 | Public | |
| New Almaden Area MinesBertram Road | Santa Clara County | 37.1760, -121.8208 | Public |
Chert in California FAQ
Where can I find chert in California?+
RockHoundR tracks 3 chert spots in California, spread across 3 counties. The strongest concentration is in Kern County.
Is collecting chert legal in California?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like chert is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in California, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best chert location in California?+
Kern County has the most chert spots in our database for California. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for chert
Other minerals to find in California
Hunt chert in California on the map
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