Rockhounding near Sacramento, CA

39 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Sacramento — most are inside a 2 to 3 hour drive. Below: a map, the closest spots, what they produce, and full coordinates with access notes.

Covering parts of California, Nevada.

Closest rockhounding spots to Sacramento

The 6 nearest mapped spots, with straight-line distance and an approximate drive time.

Alabama MinePlacer County, California26 mi · 32 min driveArgentite, Gold Quartz, Galena
Unnamed Location (Chromite/Uvarovite)El Dorado County, California29 mi · 36 min driveChromite, Uvarovite
Wolf CreekNevada County, California40 mi · 50 min drivePyrolusite, Rhodonite
Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California59 mi · 1 hr 14 min driveGarnet, Serpentine
Coyote PointSan Mateo County, California82 mi · 1 hr 42 min driveChert, Jasper
Alum Rock ParkSanta Clara County, California84 mi · 1 hr 45 min driveAlbandite, Hausmannite, Tephroite

Most-reported finds near Sacramento

Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.

Every spot within 150 miles of Sacramento

Sorted by distance from Sacramento. Tap a row to open the spot detail page with full directions, access status, and nearby trips.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Alabama MineAlabama Mine Road	Placer County	Argentite Gold Quartz Galena	38.8446, -121.1575	Public
Unnamed Location (Chromite/Uvarovite)Safari Trail	El Dorado County	Chromite Uvarovite	38.8053, -121.0393	Public
Wolf CreekLinhall Road	Nevada County	Pyrolusite Rhodonite	39.0748, -121.0979	Public
Shady Run Gravels	Placer County	Garnet Serpentine	39.2069, -120.7425	Public
Coyote Point	San Mateo County	Chert Jasper	37.5915, -122.3204	Public
Alum Rock ParkPenitencia Creek Trail	Santa Clara County	Albandite Hausmannite Tephroite	37.3958, -121.8019	Public
Crystal Springs ReservoirSawyer Camp Trail	San Mateo County	Chromite	37.5474, -122.3874	Public
Unnamed Location (Actinolite prisms)Redwood Highway	Mendocino County	Actinolite Prisms	38.9526, -123.0973	Public
Unnamed Location (Mariposite)CA 132	Mariposa County	Mariposite	37.7132, -120.2122	Public
GenoaEagle Ridge Loop	Douglas County	Copper Gold Silver Platinum	39.0285, -119.8442	Public
Purcell-Griffin Mine	Mariposa County	Chromite	37.6622, -120.1956	Public
Guadeloupe CreekHicks Road	Santa Clara County	Dendritic Agate	37.2081, -121.9013	Public
New Almaden Area MinesBertram Road	Santa Clara County	Chert Cinnabar Apophyllite Gyrolite	37.1760, -121.8208	Public
Unnamed Location (Jade)	Mariposa County	Jade	37.6463, -120.1177	Public
Coyote CreekDunne Avenue	Santa Clara County	Siderite	37.1500, -121.5783	Public
Surprise Claim	Mariposa County	Rhodochrosite Rhodonite Spessartine Garnet	37.6583, -120.0544	Public
GardnervillePinenut Road	Douglas County	Gold Silver Copper	38.8859, -119.5954	Public
Morgan Hill CreeksWatsonville Road	Santa Clara County	Poppy Jasper	37.0551, -121.6636	Public
Pine Nut Mountains	Douglas County	Thulite Topaz	39.0207, -119.5620	Public
Silver CityIndustrial Parkway	Lyon County	Gold Iron Platinum	39.2535, -119.6592	Public
Mt. Siegel	Douglas County	Gold Platinum	38.8847, -119.5048	Public
Impassable Rock	Mendocino County	Rhodochrosite Inesite Bementite Neotocite	39.5363, -123.1216	Public
White LakeWhite Lake Parkway	Washoe County	Chrysocolla Malachite	39.6480, -119.9569	Public
Virginia CityGeiger Grade Road	Storey County	Copper Gold Lead Mercury Silver	39.3202, -119.6402	Public
Castle Peak MineJeep Trail	Storey County	Mercury	39.4093, -119.6504	Public

Sacramento rockhounding FAQ

Where can I go rockhounding near Sacramento?+

There are 39 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of Sacramento, California. The closest is Alabama Mine in Placer County, roughly 26 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.

What rocks and minerals can you find near Sacramento?+

Spots within driving distance of Sacramento most commonly produce gold, agate, copper, silver, jasper, chert.

Is rockhounding legal near Sacramento?+

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.

How far do most rockhounders drive from Sacramento?+

Most weekend trips from Sacramento 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 2 states. Open the state page for the full county-by-county view.

Pack Sacramento's rockhounding map in your pocket

Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds — wherever the drive takes you.