RockHoundR
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Rockhounding near San Luis Obispo, CA

27 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of San Luis Obispo — 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.

Map of rockhounding spots within 150 miles of San Luis Obispo, California

Closest rockhounding spots to San Luis Obispo

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

Most-reported finds near San Luis Obispo

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

Hunting something specific near San Luis Obispo?

These materials have enough dedicated spots around San Luis Obispo to earn their own page, with distances and a separate map.

Every spot within 150 miles of San Luis Obispo

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

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Ocean Beaches (Central Coast)Atascadero RoadSan Luis Obispo County
  • California Jade
35.3833, -120.8650Public
Nipomo AreaSouth Dana Foothill RoadSan Luis Obispo County35.0351, -120.4530Public
Paso Robles AreaUnion RoadSan Luis Obispo County
  • Jadeite
35.6379, -120.6274Public
Ocean beach area (Big Sur coast)Cabrillo HighwaySan Luis Obispo County35.5952, -121.1272Permission
San Simeon BeachesCabrillo HighwaySan Luis Obispo County35.6421, -121.1833Public
Jacolitos CanyonJacalitos Creek RoadFresno County36.0962, -120.3204Public
Big Sur areaLos Burros RoadMonterey County35.8938, -121.4523Permission
Willow Creek areaCabrillo HighwayMonterey County35.8922, -121.4613Public
Benitoite Mining CompanyLos Gatos RoadFresno County
    		36.2424, -120.5973Paid / fee
    Limekiln Creek Beaches AreaCabrillo HighwayMonterey County36.0087, -121.5196Permission
    Benitoite Gem MineSawmill Creek RoadSan Benito County
      		36.3368, -120.6064Paid / fee
      Aurora Mine (permission required)Mexican Lake RoadSan Benito County36.3949, -120.6741Permission
      Clark ValleyFresno County36.7510, -119.3764Public
      Little Acorn MineChaparral CourtKern County35.7167, -118.5000Public
      Clark Valley (North Side)Fresno County36.7729, -119.3471Public
      Portal Ridge AreaPine Canyon RoadLos Angeles County34.7054, -118.5200Public
      Unnamed Location (Grossular garnet)Fresno County
      • Grossular Garnet
      • Vesuvianite
      		36.9091, -119.3757Public
      Horse Canyon Agate BedsPine Canyon RoadKern County
      • Agate
      • Fossilized Horse Bones
      		35.1943, -118.2891Public
      Morgan Hill CreeksWatsonville RoadSanta Clara County
      • Poppy Jasper
      		37.0551, -121.6636Public
      Malibu Lake AreaLake Vista TrailLos Angeles County
      • Analcite
      		34.1083, -118.7495Permission
      Coyote CreekDunne AvenueSanta Clara County37.1500, -121.5783Public
      Gem HillKern County34.9249, -118.2218Public
      Tick CanyonLost Canyon RoadLos Angeles County34.4267, -118.3916Public
      Pine Tree CanyonPine Tree Canyon Road (MK55)Kern County35.2309, -118.0866Public
      New Almaden Area MinesBertram RoadSanta Clara County
      • Chert
      • Cinnabar
      • Apophyllite
      • Gyrolite
      		37.1760, -121.8208Public

      San Luis Obispo rockhounding FAQ

      Where can I go rockhounding near San Luis Obispo?+
      There are 27 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of San Luis Obispo, California. The closest is Ocean Beaches (Central Coast) in San Luis Obispo County, roughly 14 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.
      What rocks and minerals can you find near San Luis Obispo?+
      Spots within driving distance of San Luis Obispo most commonly produce jasper, serpentine, agate, banded agate, bloodstone, chalcedony.
      Is rockhounding legal near San Luis Obispo?+
      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 San Luis Obispo?+
      Most weekend trips from San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo's rockhounding map in your pocket

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

      Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play