Description

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Although known for its gold production, California is a virtual haven for rock and gem collectors. With Rockhounding Southern California, you can explore the mineral-rich desert regions, comb tide-washed beaches for jade, agate, abalone, fossilized whale bone, and prospect in the mountains and hills for gold, copper, and other minerals and gems. It describes the state's best rockhounding sites and covers popular and commercial sites as well as numerous little-known areas. This handy guide also describes how to collect specimens, includes maps, directions, and GPS coordinates for each site, and lists rockhound clubs around the state. Rockhounding Southern California offers a complete introduction to this many-faceted hobby.

About the Author

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Montana Hodges, a journalist who has worked as a backcountry guide and outdoor/geographic photographer, is the author of Rockhounding Montana, Camping Alaska, and Best Easy Day Hikes Fairbanks (all FalconGuides). An active member of the Chugach Gem and Mineral Society, she has traveled throughout Alaska, from the entire Marine Highway to thousands of roadless miles, by car, bush plane, and foot. Montana lives in Elk Grove, California.