FossilCA
Cit Loc. 264
Fossil collection site in the Timms Point Silt, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Long Beach
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 90 miles of Long Beach, California.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Long Beach, California, sorted by distance within about 90 miles.
Where can you collect near Long Beach?
Near Long Beach, California, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 90 miles of the city center — including 1 quartz & crystals, 22 fossilss, and 1 other. The closest mapped spot is Cit Loc. 264 (5.6 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
At a glance — rockhounding sites near Long Beach
| Central place | Long Beach, California |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 90 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Cit Loc. 264 (5.6 mi) |
| Specimen types | Quartz & Crystals (1), Fossils (22), Other (1) |
| Typical fees | 24 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Long Beach
24 rockhounding collecting sites in California, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
FossilCA
Hilltop Quarry
Fossil collection site in the San Pedro, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, California. Environment: slope. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Altamira Shale
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, Orange County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
San Pedro, Offshore
Fossil collection site, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Malaga Cove Midden
Fossil collection site, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View details
MoonstoneCA
Area Near Redondo Beach
Area Near Redondo Beach is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Moonstone. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilCA
Elysian Park
Fossil collection site in the Modelo, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Olive Hill Reservoir
Fossil collection site in the Puente, Orange County, California. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Rock Creek Quadrangle
Fossil collection site, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Sand Canyon Wash
Fossil collection site in the Vaqueros, Orange County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Rincon Del Potrero, Santa Monica
Fossil collection site, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Bolero Lookout
Fossil collection site in the Vaqueros, Orange County, California. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Santa Monica, In Rustic Canyon
Fossil collection site, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Brown's Canyon
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Moore's Canyon
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View details
QuartzCA
Howlands Landing (catalina Island)
Howlands Landing (Catalina Island) is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Albite crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilCA
Temple Hill, Ne
Fossil collection site in the Topanga, Orange County, California. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Millbrook Drive
Fossil collection site in the Modelo, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Del Gado Drive
Fossil collection site in the Modelo, Los Angeles County, California. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Moulton Parkway
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, Orange County, California. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Lacm 5077
Fossil collection site in the Monterey, Orange County, California. Environment: marginal marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Lacm 1895, Silverado
Fossil collection site in the Ladd, Orange County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Laguna Hills
Fossil collection site in the Capistrano, Orange County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsTypes of rockhounding sites near Long Beach
Browse by specimen type in California — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Quartz & Crystals (1)
Quartz veins, crystal pockets, and pegmatite sites — from Herkimer diamonds to Arkansas clear quartz.
Fossils (22)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Other (1)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Long Beach area
Long Beach is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in California. Within about 90 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Cit Loc. 264 about 5.6 mi from the city center.
The mix spans quartz & crystals, fossils, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Long Beach
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in California with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Long Beach city center — not driving time. A creek rockhounding site 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Field collecting near Long Beach includes informal gravel bars, dry washes, quarry faces, and developed park collecting areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume collecting is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Safety and field conditions near you
Field conditions near Long Beach change after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Unstable slopes, heat exhaustion, loose rock, and flash floods are real risks at creek and quarry rockhounding sites — most sites have no supervision. Check weather and local advisories before you start digging.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Rockhounding sites near Long Beach — FAQ
Where can you collect near Long Beach?
Near Long Beach, California, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 90 miles — mainly 1 quartz & crystals, 22 fossilss, and 1 other. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
How many rockhounding sites are near Long Beach, California?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 90 miles of Long Beach. The full California directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Long Beach?
The closest mapped spot to Long Beach is Cit Loc. 264 (5.6 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
Are rockhounding sites near Long Beach free?
24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Long Beach?
Near Long Beach, documented specimen types include quartz & crystals, fossilss, other. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the California state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Long Beach?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Long Beach, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — storms can make washes and creek banks unsafe.
Is it safe to collect near Long Beach?
Field collecting near Long Beach carries real risks: unstable slopes, heat, loose rock, and no rangers at most unofficial sites. Check weather and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our rockhounding safety basics guide and each listing's safety section before you dig.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.