Museum Curators, Gemologists, Jewelers, and Rockhounds from around the world descend on northern San Diego County looking for the perfect specimens to add to their gem collections. California’s gemstones came to notoriety during the latter part of the 19th century when abundant pockets of high quality gemstones were discovered in the Mesa Grande and Pala Districts of San Diego County. A number of famous California gem mines are now open to the public.
‘Pan for Gold & Gems’ Theme
Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Museum
Location: Fallbrook (53 Miles / 55 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Cost: Free
Hours: 11AM-3PM (Thursday – Saturdays)
Features: Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Museum; Specimens from around the World, including California Tourmaline; History of San Diego Mining; Fluorescent Mineral Display; Gift Shop
Dig for California Gemstones at the Oceanview Mine
Location: Pala (53 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Gem Mining Hours: 10:30AM – 3PM on Sundays and Some Thursdays; Reservations Required.
Cost: $60 ($50 for Kids)
Features: Pan for California Gemstones, including Pink Tourmaline; Tour a Gem Mine that supplies Museum Curators and Jewelers around the World.
Dig for California Tourmaline at the Himalaya Mine
Location: Santa Ysabel (75 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 10AM – 3PM Thursdays through Mondays
Cost: $75 ($37.50 for kids ages 12-15; Free for Kids under 12); $50 for 1PM-3PM only
Features: Mine for Tourmaline from one of the most famous Tourmaline Mines of the 20th century.
Gems of Pala Tourmaline
Location: Pala (53 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Panning is on most weekends by Appointment Only
Cost: $20 for a Bucket of Pilings
Features: Tourmaline Mining at the famous Stewart Mine; Gem Store
California Tourmaline in Fallbrook & Carlsbad
Location: Fallbrook (53 Miles / 55 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego) & Carlsbad (31 Miles / 35 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Fallbrook: 10AM – 5PM (Closed Sundays); Carlsbad: 10AM – 6PM
Features: San Diego Tourmaline and Other Gems for Sale
Eagle & High Peak Gold Mine and Museum
Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 2PM
Cost: $10 ($5 for Kids) – Includes Mine Tour and Panning for Gold
Features: Gold Mine Attracted People from across the Country in the 1870s; Learn the History and Pan for Gold.
Pan for Gold at the Julian Mining Company
Location: Wynola (On the outskirts of Julian – 62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 10AM – 4PM on Saturdays and 12PM – 4PM on Sundays. Weekday Reservations also Available.
Cost: Starts at $10
Features: Pan for Gold and Gems as Seen on the Travel Channel; Pick Raspberries and Pumpkins
