Limekiln Creek Beaches Area: Rhodonite & Axinite Rockhounding in Monterey County, California

Updated June 2026

Limekiln Creek Beaches Area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Monterey County, California. Reported finds include rhodonite, axinite, nephrite jade. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Monterey County
State: California
Nearest road: Cabrillo Highway
Coordinates: 36.00874, -121.51960

Geology at Limekiln Creek Beaches Area

This spot sits on Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges), mapped as sandstone and mudstone that formed roughly 200 to 66 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges)
Age: 200–66 Ma (Jurassic to Cretaceous)
Rock types: sandstone and mudstone
Elevation: 30 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Limekiln Creek Beaches Area

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 61°F in winter to 76°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BIG SUR STN station (22 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM California — Recreational mineral collecting
California Geological Survey
CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Limekiln Creek Beaches Area

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Limekiln Creek Beaches Area.

Limekiln Creek Beaches Area FAQ

Where is Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

Limekiln Creek Beaches Area is in Monterey County, California, at 36.00874, -121.51960. Nearest road: Cabrillo Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

Limekiln Creek Beaches Area is reported to produce Rhodonite, Axinite, Nephrite Jade.

Is collecting allowed at Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

Limekiln Creek Beaches Area is workable year-round.

How do I get to Limekiln Creek Beaches Area?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.00874, -121.51960 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cabrillo Highway.

More rockhounding in California

See all 97 California spots →

Open Limekiln Creek Beaches Area on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.