How to find gold in Southern California: Where gold is mined in Southern California: gold mines

How to find gold in Southern California: Where gold is mined in Southern California: gold mines

Would you like to know where gold has been mined in Southern California? The southern part of California has produced lots of gold and still produces good amounts of gold for prospectors. Although the mother Lode and northern California are famous for gold, many tons of gold have been mined in southern California. In this video, I talk about where you can find gold for yourself in southern California. I talk about 10 mining areas that are popular with southern California prospectors. If you want more details on these mining districts, take a look at the free book at the end of the video – it has loads of additional information. See also my video on the gold of northern California:

For those who want to learn more about Prospecting and finding gold check out my book, Fists full of Gold. It’s an encyclopedia of everything on the topic of prospecting. It’s available on Amazon. You can find it at (affiliate):

For even more information on prospecting, minerals, gems and other related information you can also check out my website at:
http://nevada-outback-gems.com/prospect/chris_prospect.htm

42 Comments

  1. gwolfeman on November 14, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    Thanks Chris, great video! I’m spending some time in the Bautista canyon area near Hemet and can’t find much on historical data. Would love to learn more, keep up the great work sir!

  2. Lars Mohler on November 14, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    Obama declared the San Gabriel Mountains and much of Angeles Forest as a National Monument. In short, no more mining or prospecting in this area. This includes East Fork. Thanks big government. I haven’t seen or heard of any enforcement activity but be wary. Fortunately I hold 350 acres of claim within this area. Unfortunately it’s all hard rock. Happy hunting.

  3. Vendetta Prospecting on November 14, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    Thanks for making this video Chris!! Have a great weekend

  4. Glenn Civale on November 14, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Excellent video’s, Love all you do and your contributions!

  5. dsrtdwg1 on November 14, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Thanks Chris, golden information!

  6. AU ADDICTS on November 14, 2022 at 5:50 pm

    California yuck! Lol just kidding! Get your butt to Arizona!

  7. Neils-Bored on November 14, 2022 at 5:50 pm

    Great work Chris absolute eye opener watching your videos thankyou!

  8. BrianTV on November 14, 2022 at 5:51 pm

    Good day sir, I’m your new subscriber frome Philippines, thanks for the technic and advice, that means a lot to me ❤️i have a question sir if you don’t mind, is it possible to get a gold in the area near at the volcano? I’m planning to become a gold prospectors sir thank you somuch. God bless you

  9. Steven Blewett on November 14, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Thanks Chris! Your videos are so helpful. 😁👍🏻

  10. Touchy's Subjects on November 14, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    I get ALL THE WATER from Pioneer Town channeled through my property in Landers(between the Post Office & The Integratron).

  11. blech71 on November 14, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Dan is the best! Not just a great prospector and historian but he is a man of god. The guy is amazing. I always try to give him the business when I can even when it’s out of my way. We need to keep guys like Dan supported so they can stay around for many years to come.

  12. Steve Scukanec on November 14, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Are we able to prospect in the National Monument where the East Fork resides? Last I understood we were no longer able to prospect of any kind in that area?

  13. pikepoke on November 14, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    seems like the most difficult part is finding land that is not already claimed or private.

  14. ILL EAGLE 🌬🕯 on November 14, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    I love "Fist Full of Gold ". I peruse it and have gleaned so much knowledge from it. Just last week I took Interstate 8 from San Diego to Yuma. Great video 👍

  15. justanotherdayinparadise on November 14, 2022 at 5:56 pm

    edgar, baja mexico eggcellente

  16. Ethan Bonardel on November 14, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    Always great to see a new video posted by the legend himself. Thanks! 🇺🇸

  17. Todd EFTS Adams on November 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    Thanks Chris,
    Love your videos boss man.

  18. Kp on November 14, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    What clubs would you recommend I join in socal that have access to claims in randsburg

  19. Mike Paradise on November 14, 2022 at 6:10 pm

    Love the video Chris thanks for all the info very great work I lived at Edward’s ca for a year should have mined there dam

  20. steve andermatt on November 14, 2022 at 6:11 pm

    Born and raised in Julian and never looked for gold as a kid and now I wish I had, but we have a 168 acre ranch down there so I have an area to go to when I get the chance.

  21. Virginia in LA on November 14, 2022 at 6:13 pm

    I just bought your book for my son, but I’m reading it instead. 🙃 It’s fantastic and full of great information!

  22. comptongoldminer on November 14, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    Great video. Thank you! Do you know where I can get more information on San Gabriel

  23. wrknmama3 on November 14, 2022 at 6:19 pm

    Are there any areas for families to go to where they can sleuth for Gold?

  24. Carmen Franco on November 14, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    I found a nice spot with some quartz rock and black veins. I’m pretty sure it’s gold! Is there anyway I could send you a picture to be sure?

  25. greedy gringo prospecting on November 14, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    was digging yesterday johanessburg ? . spent the night in ridgecrest. dig some more today member of (pcsc) maybe see dan find the stringer district some are over by me (orange county huntington beach ca) have a good day.

  26. Patrick Hook on November 14, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    I am in Oregon and wanted to see if you know why central Oregon seems to have no gold. I hear a lot of banter about gold being in CO but nothing reputable.

  27. Carlos Rodriguez on November 14, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    Hi Chris –
    Great information Thank You !
    On a side note I was prospecting this weekend in Coolgardie the use of a tiller came to question as to being legal to use. ? Can you answer that question ?

  28. Alexya Hardwick on November 14, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    Hey Chris any thoughts on the San Diego river? That’s the only thing close to me and my body doesnt like distant car rides to much 😵‍💫

  29. Hank Williams on November 14, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    I own the Gladiator mine in Johannesburg California, Randburg mining district..

  30. Touchy's Subjects on November 14, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    Thanks Chris! Do you have any info on the Pioneer Town, Rim Rock, Landers, Joshua Tree, Johnson Valley area?

  31. bryce W on November 14, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Chris Ralph is awesome! His early video on the Gold Monster was very helpful.

  32. gold miner 49niner on November 14, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Hey Chris you’re right in my backyard I have 245 Acres placer claims and two Lode claims I’m in Johannesburg Thanks for coming close and showing Southern California Gold areas.🤠⛏

  33. Anthony Pelayo on November 14, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you ⚒

  34. Smithsgold on November 14, 2022 at 6:30 pm

    Socal Gold !!!!!!!

  35. Earl Nulton on November 14, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    Hi Chris I ordered your book last year and paid $35.00 on paypal on 05/07/2021. I sent your three emails, but no response. I think you were injured. I was traveling a lot and forgot about it. Going through tax stuff I found my credit card statement. Please send me your book.

  36. Chris Strobel on November 14, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    I’d add Mindat shows a gold occurrence in Orange County next to Trabuco Canyon, and I’ve personally taken a small amount of flake gold off of Ortega Highway in Orange County. Still living in Orange County myself .. the problem now is gas, in the mid 90’s I regularly went out to the El Paso range, and it cost me $20.00 to fill up my Jeep XJ .. and I usually went through about 2.5 tanks of gas per trip .. only to usually end up coming home skunked, now days 2022 with gas prices what they are it’s just not worth it anymore, I figured out for what it would cost me now in gas for just a couple of trips I can buy a nice thumbnail crystallized gold on quartz specimen from Kristalle. I swung my loops connected to my Goldmaster V-Sat all over the El Paso’s .. from Gohler to Last Chance to Bonanza Gulch and everywhere in between and have nothing to show for it but vials full of birdshot, wire bits, boot tacks, tiny pieces of rusted cans, etc., you can only get skunked for so long till it just ain’t fun anymore. I finally said screw this, packed my XJ with my detector rig and sluices, and headed up to my brothers in Folsom, I used his house as a base and went up to the old hydraulic pits above Nevada City .. and started actually finding real nuggets .. now that gets you excited! Anyway great video, really brings back memories 👍

  37. Richard Beee on November 14, 2022 at 6:32 pm

    Thanks Chris. Information is always worth a stop and a look see:) Sorry to hear about your friend with the mask and was wondering by the cover of ICMJ this month if there’s a mask mandate in CA. while your out prospecting way out in the open air or if that was just a political statement of some kind?

  38. Jon Ray on November 14, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    Two of my favorite story tellers together in this video. Learning so much from both in the ICMJ Journal and Gold Prospector magazines. Thank you for what you do to keep us exploring for an adventure.

  39. Chess Press on November 14, 2022 at 6:36 pm

    Have you mined in Arizona for gold ? and if so where have you struck gold? 🙂

  40. Mr and Mrs Betageri Haliyal on November 14, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    🙏 Thank you Sir 🙏

  41. swamper 444 on November 14, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    Thanks Chris that was some great information I enjoyed keep them coming👍

  42. No limit off road on November 14, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    I’m in el dorado hills area looking to get on some gold

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