Benitoite Gem Mine Area
Rockhounding site in Coalinga, California · Other
Benitoite Gem Mine Area is a benitoite rockhounding site near Coalinga, CA. Fee varies. Best season: Spring and fall for comfortable field temperatures.
Typical season: Spring and fall for comfortable field temperatures
Key facts
Structured details for trip planning — verify access and fees with the land manager before you visit.
- Specimen type
- Benitoite
- Primary specimens
- Benitoite, Neptunite, Natrolite
- Fee status
- Fee varies
- Nearest town
- Coalinga
- State
- California
- Coordinates
- 36.36500, -120.78300
- Best season
- Spring and fall for comfortable field temperatures
- Access difficulty
- Difficult; remote serpentine terrain
- Camping
- Dispersed BLM camping with self-contained setup
- Activities
- Geology study, nearby public road cuts
- Facilities
- None on site
- Last updated
- July 5, 2026
What to pack for Benitoite Gem Mine Area
Gear we compare for other trips like this one — tools, safety, and the hike in.
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The experience
- Best time to visitSpring and fall for comfortable field temperatures
- AccessDifficult; remote serpentine terrain
- FacilitiesNone on site
- Camping nearbyDispersed BLM camping with self-contained setup
Things you need to take to Benitoite Gem Mine Area
DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Safety Glasses
Buy two pairs — one lives in your pack permanently.
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SE Specimen Storage Bags 10-Pack
The basic system every collector should have in their pack.
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Osprey Talon 22 Backpack
The pack to save for if you collect more than a few times a year.
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NoCry Professional Construction Knee Pads
Buy once — your knees will notice by lunch.
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Map & location
Sources & updates
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