Rockhounding near San Francisco, CA
25 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of San Francisco, most inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, 17 of them on public land. Below: every place to go rock hunting, closest first, with what each one produces and its land access.
Covering parts of California.
Every rock collecting spot within 150 miles of San Francisco
Coyote PointSan Mateo County, California · 14 mi awayPublic access · Chert, Jasper
Crystal Springs ReservoirSan Mateo County, California · 16 mi awayPermission required · Chromite- Poplar BeachSan Mateo County, California · 22 mi awayPublic access · Agate
- Alum Rock ParkSanta Clara County, California · 43 mi awayPublic access · Albandite, Hausmannite, Tephroite
- Guadeloupe CreekSanta Clara County, California · 48 mi awayPublic access · Dendritic Agate
Best spotNew Almaden Area MinesSanta Clara County, California · 53 mi awayPublic access · Chert, Cinnabar, Apophyllite +1- Coyote CreekSanta Clara County, California · 63 mi awayPermission required · Siderite
- Morgan Hill CreeksSanta Clara County, California · 65 mi awayPublic access · Poppy Jasper
- Unnamed Location (Actinolite prisms)Mendocino County, California · 89 mi awayPublic access · Actinolite Prism
- Alabama MinePlacer County, California · 101 mi awayPublic access · Argentite, Gold Quartz, Galena
- Unnamed Location (Chromite/Uvarovite)El Dorado County, California · 103 mi awayPublic access · Chromite, Uvarovite
- Wolf CreekNevada County, California · 115 mi awayPublic access · Pyrolusite, Rhodonite
- Unnamed Location (Mariposite)Mariposa County, California · 121 mi awayPublic access · Mariposite
- Purcell-Griffin MineMariposa County, California · 122 mi awayPublic access · Chromite
- Unnamed Location (Jade)Mariposa County, California · 126 mi awayPublic access · Jade
- Impassable RockMendocino County, California · 127 mi awayPermission required · Rhodochrosite, Inesite, Bementite +1
- Surprise ClaimMariposa County, California · 130 mi awayPublic access · Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Spessartine Garnet
- Limekiln Creek Beaches AreaMonterey County, California · 132 mi awayPermission required · Rhodonite, Axinite, Nephrite Jade
- Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 134 mi awayPublic access · Garnet, Serpentine
- Aurora Mine (permission required)San Benito County, California · 135 mi awayPermission required · Serpentine
- Willow Creek areaMonterey County, California · 140 mi awayPublic access · Nephrite Jade, Serpentine
Best spotBig Sur areaMonterey County, California · 141 mi awayPermission required · Jade, Nephrite, Serpentine- Benitoite Gem MineSan Benito County, California · 141 mi awayFee dig
- Eel River GravelsMendocino County, California · 143 mi awayPublic access · Jadeite, Nephrite
- Benitoite Mining CompanyFresno County, California · 146 mi awayFee dig
Most-reported finds near San Francisco
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.
- Serpentine4
- Chromite3
- Rhodonite3
- Chert2
- Jade2
- Nephrite2
- Nephrite Jade2
- Rhodochrosite2
- Actinolite Prism1
- Agate1
- Albandite1
- Apophyllite1
San Francisco rockhounding FAQ
Where can I go rockhounding near San Francisco?+
There are 25 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of San Francisco, California. The closest is Coyote Point in San Mateo County, roughly 14 miles away. Every one is listed on this page, closest first.
What rocks and minerals can you find near San Francisco?+
Spots within driving distance of San Francisco most commonly produce serpentine, chromite, rhodonite, chert, jade, nephrite.
Is rockhounding legal near San Francisco?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Each spot page on this site lists access status; always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Are there free places to rockhound near San Francisco?+
17 of the 25 spots here are mapped as public access, with no dig fee. Some sit in parks or forests that charge for parking or day use, so check with the land manager first. 2 are fee digs, where you pay and keep what you find.
Where can I go gem hunting or crystal digging near San Francisco?+
1 of the mapped spots near San Francisco report quartz or amethyst. The closest is Alabama Mine, about 101 miles out. For pay-to-dig, the nearest fee dig is Benitoite Gem Mine, about 141 miles away.
How far do most rockhounders drive from San Francisco?+
Most weekend trips from San Francisco fall inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, which is roughly the 150-mile radius shown on this page. Closer spots are good for half-day outings; the outer ones are better as overnight trips.
More state coverage
The spots above span 1 state. Open the state page for the full county-by-county view.
Pack San Francisco's rockhounding map in your pocket
Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds, wherever the drive takes you.
