California State Mining & Mineral Museum

Fue una experiencia super bonita e inolvidable todo es hermoso

Unexpected gem of a museum. Very interesting and the staff were very informative!! No cameras allowed inside so only have pictures from the outside.

Make a diversion to visit this mineral museum. They have a great collection of very varied rocks from all over, but many from CA. Bentonite my favorite...

Wonderful little museum showcasing the history of California mining and abundance of mineral deposits of the state. $4 in November 2023 is well worth this quick stop to stretch your legs and expand your brain. Kids under 12 go in for free. Located within the Mariposa Fairegrounds, there is ample parking right outside the main gate. There are bathrooms inside and outside the museum. NO photography allowed. The mineral collection here is quite impressive and includes some donated items from around the globe. The highlight comes from a gold rush Era find. A GORGEOUS looking gold nugget is kept in their vault. It was never smelted due to its beautiful shape. You can also explore a 175 ft long replica of a mineshaft. It is dark, damp, and a bit musky in there, so don't go if you suffer from claustrophobia. It does not get to a point where you need to duck or squeeze through. I am 5'10 and had no issues.

Nice cute museum with a lot of rocks and gems.

Great staff and displays. Must not miss the Gold Vault and the meteorites on display. Went with my kids, who enjoyed it too. It’s a small one so it was a brief visit of 20 mins or so. Good time for toddler and young kids.

This "gem" is tucked inside the Mariposa fairgrounds. It contains many beautiful stones and different tools for the historical past. You're not allowed to photograph however the beauty of the minerals are encased in your mind by each distinguishing characteristic.

It’s well worth a visit if you have school-age children, and it’s a great way to help them understand the history of mining, gold mining, and immigration in California.