Big Sur area — Rockhounding in Monterey County, California
Big Sur is California's clearest public jade locality because sanctuary rules specifically allow loose nephrite collection in the Jade Cove authorized area below mean high tide. Mindat records jade and nephrite at Big Sur, and Los Padres National Forest planning documents note historic jade collecting around Plaskett Creek, Jade Cove, Willow Creek, and offshore. Reported finds include jade, nephrite, serpentine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Big Sur area photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.
Map showing Big Sur area in Monterey County, California
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Monterey County
- State
- California
- Nearest road
- Los Burros Road
- Coordinates
- 35.89376, -121.45233
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
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:
- BLM California — Recreational mineral collecting
- California Geological Survey
- CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Big Sur 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 Big Sur area.
- Willow Creek areaMonterey County, California · 1 mi awayNephrite Jade, Serpentine
- Limekiln Creek Beaches AreaMonterey County, California · 9 mi awayRhodonite, Axinite, Nephrite Jade
- San Simeon BeachesSan Luis Obispo County, California · 23 mi awayMoonstone
- Ocean beach area (Big Sur coast)San Luis Obispo County, California · 28 mi awayJade
- Ocean Beaches (Central Coast)San Luis Obispo County, California · 48 mi awayCalifornia Jade
- Paso Robles AreaSan Luis Obispo County, California · 50 mi awayJadeite
- Benitoite Mining CompanyFresno County, California · 53 mi away
- Aurora Mine (permission required)San Benito County, California · 56 mi awaySerpentine
Big Sur area FAQ
Why is Big Sur area one of the best rockhounding spots in California?+
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More rockhounding in California
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