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Jade and jadeite exist along California's Central Coast, and every year the locals hunt jade at Jade Cove and Willow
terrace.
large block (9000 lbs) of nephrite jade was taken from the nearshore seafloor off Jade Cove in 1971, and much jade
is still believed to occur offshore.
Willow Creek is an easily accessible beach to give jade-hunting a try. The best conditions are at low tide following
periods of heavy surf. Have a pen knife ready to test specimens. Serpentine, which is the same color as jade, is
also abundant in the cliffs and around the cove area. Scratch the rock with your knife. Jade is harder than steel and
will not scratch. It is illegal to take nephrite jade from above the high-tide line; what's below that line is fair game.
Regulations.
terrace.
large block (9000 lbs) of nephrite jade was taken from the nearshore seafloor off Jade Cove in 1971, and much jade
is still believed to occur offshore.
Willow Creek is an easily accessible beach to give jade-hunting a try. The best conditions are at low tide following
periods of heavy surf. Have a pen knife ready to test specimens. Serpentine, which is the same color as jade, is
also abundant in the cliffs and around the cove area. Scratch the rock with your knife. Jade is harder than steel and
will not scratch. It is illegal to take nephrite jade from above the high-tide line; what's below that line is fair game.
Regulations.
Use extreme caution when rockhounding in this area. Cliff access at Jade Cove is very rugged and extremely
treacherous. In both areas, high surf and wet, slippery rocks pose danger. Be very careful. This is Big Sur and help
is not close by. If you go alone, let someone know that you are there.
treacherous. In both areas, high surf and wet, slippery rocks pose danger. Be very careful. This is Big Sur and help
is not close by. If you go alone, let someone know that you are there.
The California Gold Rush of 1849 was centered in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, but gold
was also found in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.
miles inland in an extremely remote area and a little mining town called Mansfield sprang up around it. At its
height, Mansfield had a population of about 200, a hotel and a few saloons.
The ore proved difficult to extract, and the town dwindled. In 1909, the town burned to the ground and was never
replaced.
To visit the area, you can take a rough but beautiful trip up Gorda Mountain via Willow Creek Road. Also listed as
Los Padres National Forest Road 23S01, it is a right off Highway 1 about a mile north of Gorda. The road is about
ten miles north of the Monterey County line. I don't recommend that you try this in winter, as the redwood-lined
creeks often wash out the road.
Six to eight miles up, you will still be climbing, passing pipes and junk, cabins, that still speak of activity in the area.
Trespassing is not recommended. At the Alder Creek Camp sign, you have reached the approximate site of
Cruikshank's Last Chance mine and the town of Mansfield.
If you continue on Willow Creek Road, you will reach South Coast Ridge Road which will follow the ridge to bisect
with Nacimiento Road which you can take back down to the coast.
was also found in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.
miles inland in an extremely remote area and a little mining town called Mansfield sprang up around it. At its
height, Mansfield had a population of about 200, a hotel and a few saloons.
The ore proved difficult to extract, and the town dwindled. In 1909, the town burned to the ground and was never
replaced.
To visit the area, you can take a rough but beautiful trip up Gorda Mountain via Willow Creek Road. Also listed as
Los Padres National Forest Road 23S01, it is a right off Highway 1 about a mile north of Gorda. The road is about
ten miles north of the Monterey County line. I don't recommend that you try this in winter, as the redwood-lined
creeks often wash out the road.
Six to eight miles up, you will still be climbing, passing pipes and junk, cabins, that still speak of activity in the area.
Trespassing is not recommended. At the Alder Creek Camp sign, you have reached the approximate site of
Cruikshank's Last Chance mine and the town of Mansfield.
If you continue on Willow Creek Road, you will reach South Coast Ridge Road which will follow the ridge to bisect
with Nacimiento Road which you can take back down to the coast.
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Big Sur Jade Festival. This is a favorite, featuring local
craftsmen, rockhounds and lots of local color. The event raises money for
the Pacific Valley School PTO and the Pacific Valley Community Center.
Live music, good food. What's not to like?
Here is some of our video from the event. Unfortunately, we couldn't
feature all of the great artists and musicians that were there.
For more on local happenings, check out our Events page.
craftsmen, rockhounds and lots of local color. The event raises money for
the Pacific Valley School PTO and the Pacific Valley Community Center.
Live music, good food. What's not to like?
Here is some of our video from the event. Unfortunately, we couldn't
feature all of the great artists and musicians that were there.
For more on local happenings, check out our Events page.
Jade Cove is a designated hang-glider site.
Willow Creek Picnic Area & Beach is 1.5 miles north of the town
of Gorda.This rocky Big Sur beach is a favorite for surfers,
photographers and anglers.
Willow Creek is a Day Use Area, with no overnight camping.
There is no fee at this site.
of Gorda.This rocky Big Sur beach is a favorite for surfers,
photographers and anglers.
Willow Creek is a Day Use Area, with no overnight camping.
There is no fee at this site.
