Where to Find Agates in California: 21 Mapped Sites
California has 21 documented sites where agates have been reported, and the best-known are Castle Butte Foothills, Crescent City Beaches, and Eagle Crags. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 21 of the 21 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Agates Map: California
All 21 agates sites in California. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Agates Are Found in California
Agates fill gas cavities in old lava flows, then outlast the host rock and concentrate in gravels. Hunt gravel bars, beaches, glacial till, and desert washes rather than solid outcrop.
The richest reported sites in California: Castle Butte Foothills, Crescent City Beaches, Eagle Crags, El Paso Mountains, Gem Hill.
Local reporting distinguishes Blue Agate (2 sites), Banded Agate (2 sites), Moss Agate (2 sites), Fire Agate (1 site).
Of the 21 sites, 21 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Agates Sites in California
- Castle Butte Foothills — Public Access
- Crescent City Beaches — Public Access
- Eagle Crags — Public Access
- El Paso Mountains — Public Access
- Gem Hill — Public Access
- Lead Pipe Spring Area — Public Access
- Agate Area (Klamath River) — Public Access
- Agate Beach — Public Access
- Escondido Canyon — Public Access
- Fandango Pass — Public Access
- Jenny Creek — Public Access
- Nipomo Area — Public Access
- Unnamed Location (LA County) — Public Access
- Area around Goose Lake — Public Access
- nicolas canyon beach park — Public Access
- Tick Canyon — Public Access
- Deep Creek — Public Access
- Horse Canyon Agate Beds — Public Access
- Unnamed Location (Fire Agate) — Public Access
- Guadeloupe Creek — Public Access
- Wingate Pass — Public Access
How to Identify Agates
Agate is banded chalcedony: a waxy-luster stone, hardness about 7, that breaks with a smooth conchoidal (shell-like) fracture instead of splitting on flat planes. The reliable field test is backlighting — hold a wetted stone to the sun and an agate glows translucent at the edges, usually showing its bands. Jasper looks similar but stays opaque.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find agates in California?
California has 21 mapped sites where agates have been reported. The best-known are Castle Butte Foothills, Crescent City Beaches, and Eagle Crags. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many agates sites are mapped in California?
We have 21 documented agates sites in California, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect agates in California?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify agate?
Agate is banded chalcedony: a waxy-luster stone, hardness about 7, that breaks with a smooth conchoidal (shell-like) fracture instead of splitting on flat planes. The reliable field test is backlighting — hold a wetted stone to the sun and an agate glows translucent at the edges, usually showing its bands. Jasper looks similar but stays opaque.
What kinds of agates are found in California?
Reports from California distinguish Blue Agate (2 sites), Banded Agate (2 sites), Moss Agate (2 sites), Fire Agate (1 site), Dendritic Agate (1 site).
What should I bring to collect agates?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.