View Attractions Related to: Pan for Gold & Gems

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Mining for California Gemstones & Tourmaline in San Diego

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.

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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

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California Tourmaline in Fallbrook & Carlsbad

Location: Fallbrook (53 Miles / 55 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 5PM (Closed Sundays)

Features: San Diego Tourmaline and Other Gems for Sale

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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Eagle & High Peak Gold Mine and Museum

Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Weekends: 10AM – 5PM (longer during holiday season)

Cost: $10 ($5 for Kids 5-12; $1 for Kids under 5) – 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.

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