Ocean View Gem Mine & Inn
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Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
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37304 Magee Rd.
Pala, CA 92059
Phone: (760) 415-9143
33.390066, -117.049626
Dog-Friendly: No   Kid-Friendly: Yes
ADMISSION:Â
Adults: ($75 each) Children: 5-11 years old ($60 each) [4 and under free].
Family Plan: (2 adults / 2 children 5-11 years) for $240.
Organized Groups: $45/each (Thursday’s only).
HOURS:Â Saturday/Sunday/Thursday: 10:30am-3pm // Sunday-Wednesday & Friday: Closed
From their website:
How does it work? A visit to the Oceanview Mine allows you a unique view of the only actively working underground mine in the world famous Pala Gem mining district and a chance to find your own gems—tourmalines, kunzites, morganites and more. Screen the dump piles of material we take out of our mine and find the gems we’ve missed—and we miss a lot! You get to keep everything you find at no extra charge; the standard dig fee allows you to keep all you find and you can take home one 5-gallon bucket of rocks that you have screened and washed.
Guests also get a jeep tour of Chief Mountain where you can see all of the currently active mines and prospects, as well as views of the famous Pala Chief, Tourmaline Queen and other historic mines.
We’ve taken care of everything you need. We provide you with screens, water, buckets and shovels–and most importantly, a big pile of gem-rich dirt and gravel taken from our mines! After a brief training session, you have four hours to work the pile, looking for your gems. You get to keep everything you find at no extra charge; the standard dig fee allows you to keep all you find.
In addition, you can take home one 5-gallon bucket of rocks that you have screened and washed if you want to more carefully sort through them at home. Guests also get a jeep tour of Chief Mountain where you can see all of the currently active mines and prospects, as well as views of the famous Pala Chief, Tourmaline Queen and other historic mines.
Their land is pretty remote with nothing but canyons and hills for as far as the eye can see:
All of their homes and facilities were hand-built by the owner and his staff:
And here’s the man behind it all:
Another of their exploratory mines:
They’ve built a private 1-bedroom resort with a bed and breakfast for guests. The view is unbelievable too!
Their jewelry store. The owner’s sister makes the jewelry:
People panning for gems:
They even had a fresh juice bar!
