08/31/2026
Sooo, you want to rockhound? Check out our little adventure to search for red and green moss agate in SoCal with mandalaminerals and Octavio Martinez without trending audio.
I’ve gone alone for years and years. I feel like I manifested this little rockhounding group. 🪨⛏️ A lot of my rockhounding trips are after I’ve researched for years and most of the time, I leave empty handed. Once you know what you’re looking for, it gives you an advantage to help find the source or what the host rock looks like.
Here’s a few places you can gain confidence and learn about rock hounding here in SoCal. I grew up going to rock and crystal stores starting at age 4. I’d beg to get geodes cut open and I’d get my hands on any rock book I could find.
• Rocks & Minerals in Frogtown. You can go explore and learn his museum like store. He also offers paid guided digs. Check his event schedule and follow for any upcoming trips.
• Oceanview Mine in Pala, Ca. This is where I started out learning a lot more about tourmaline and other rocks and minerals. You can take a tour through the mine and sift through their material at the fee dig.
• Mindat.org, it’s my bible. I’m constantly researching and going to potential sites from here or an old article based of just coordinates and a lot of spontaneity. Make sure you aren’t going onto private property, of course.
• Earth Elements Crestline in Crestline, Ca. Vanessa owns this with her husband, she’s super knowledgeable and passionate about her store that she’s built. Her prices are so affordable as well as it gives cozy vibes when you walk in. Sometimes gaining knowledge is starting your collection, or just hanging out in rock stores.
• just look down. There’s more around you if you slow down and look at pegmatites and veins in your own local mountains.
•YouTube university! 📚
Wear proper layers (long sleeves to help protect from the sun and ticks) and pack out your trash, always. Have fun and be safe!
