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Field CollectingRockhounding Near San Jose

9th Jul 2014 15:53 UTCSarah Hughes

Hi everyone, I am spending the summer around San Jose and am looking for localities to day trip to. Is there anything interesting near or a little ways away from this area?

Thanks in advance!

Sarah Hughes

9th Jul 2014 17:51 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

I'm going to assume California, but it might help to know exactly which San Jose you're referring to? :-D

9th Jul 2014 18:57 UTCJason Ferguson

I live on the north side of the bay... that is if we are talking california here.

What type of rock or minerals are you going for?

9th Jul 2014 19:56 UTCMatt Ciranni

I'm not sure if the benitoite mines still let people pay to dig- if so, you might try that (I've always wanted to.) That's about 3 hours away from San Jose, but as for no-fee free public sites... I used to live down there and sadly, the Bay Area just isnt very lucrative when it comes to rockhounding, and most of the once-productive sites (e.g. the colorful jasper from the San Jose/Morgan Hill area) are now either exhausted or long since closed off. Your best bet may be to plan an overnight trip to the Sierras. If you head down the coast south of Monterey towards San Louis Obispo, you might find jade or banded chert near the beaches and coves which are interesting, and still as far as I know legal to collect.

10th Jul 2014 13:03 UTCJohn Krygier

I was just at Lime Kiln State Park and Jade Cove, near each other down the coast, a week or so back. Both are worth a visit. Lime Kiln has, well, old lime kilns, and an odd assortment of what seems to be metamorphosed serpentine minerals (in addition to remnants of the limestone they were mining). Jade Cove is a fun crawl and slide down to the water, with an immense cliff of serpentine, "jade" and other minerals. Interesting rubble near the tide line to poke around. According to signs, collecting is allowed at the base of the cliff. Go at low tide for best results.

Useful resource on Jade Cove area: https://archive.org/details/nephritejadeasso10crip

https://makingmaps.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/jade_cove_ca.jpg
https://makingmaps.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/lime_kiln_ca.jpg

Also, near Carmel, road cuts along the Carmel Valley Road (and adjacent Carmel Valley roads) contain crab and other fossils. Did not have enough time to look (crabby sister in-law, who missed the irony) but a few of the sites looked promising.

John K.

10th Jul 2014 15:34 UTCSarah Hughes

Thanks everyone! Yes I did mean California. Because of my location I am not being too picky, just looking for a nice outing with maybe a few nice finds. John, I have heard a lot about Jade Cove so I think I will check it out!

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