Hi guys:
I live in Ventura County, just north of Los Angeles and I need rocks! I've checked several local suppliers but I find their selection is too uniform. In other words, its nice stuff but everything is of similar size and I would like a variety of shapes, sizes and color tones. I wouldn't mind driving to the desert or mountains and doing a little hunting, but I am not sure where to go or what the regulations are concerning the collection of rock.
Do any of you SoCal guys have advice?
Thanks,
Joe
If you go to any state, county or federal parks/preserves or such, check with the local rangers.
I get most of my rocks from a local rock shop, they maintain large quantities of various size and color. Also I take short strolls along the beach cliffs. Don't try pulling out of the cliff face, pick from the rubble at the base. Round, smooth stones can be found in the beach sand. Take a walk along your local river beds, back country roads in hilly territory. At the current cost of gas, I would suggest you incorperate your rock search into other outdoor activities you enjoy.
Tom Trigg
It's pretty difficult in this state to find places where you can collect rocks without getting hassled. Your safest bet is to find a friend or relative who owns property out in the country, who might let you take home some rocks.
Guys, thanks for your suggestions. I am not sure how I will proceed, but I appreciate the feedback.
Construction sites can be good sources. I got several pickup beds of round river rock from a large development near the San Gabriel Mountains. They were glad to get rid of the stuff as it was less for them to haul away. Any place not on Federal or State park lands should be OK to pick up rocks, also no one is going to hastle you for picking up 3 or 4 average size rocks even from a park. However using a Bobcat to load the back of a F-150 is something different.
Have fun with your trains
I kinda have the same problem. I live in Mesa, Az and all of the rocks you buy here are pink granite and they all look the same, ugly. I go up to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and pick up rocks along the forest roads. It's perfectly legal as long as your not collecting certin types of rocks like malapai. It is a way to go but worth it and probably costs about the same.
Hi Joe,
I live in Ventura (city) and have used-
Frontier Building Supply
3288 E VINEYARD AVE OXNARD, CA 93036-1326Phone: 805-988-070
Good selection of various rocks/stone for landscaping, water features, etc. Lots to choose from 1" to double head size.
As for collecting in this area- unless you own the property you pick from, you must assume it is illegal to collect. Even on private property there is restrictions on collecting within 50(+-?) feet of any watershed. Best to buy commercial or make your own.
Regards,
Jim H- Mt. MacKay Scenic Rail.
If you are looking for smooth, river rock style rocks then you either end up buying them or finding an old river bed where you can safely and legally get them yourself. If you want a rougher style rock, then you might consider getting out your little 5lbs sledge hammer and breaking up some of those bigger, more uniform rocks you can get from your local supplier. I'm near Long Beach, CA and there are plenty of landscape supply retailers with a large supply of rocks, rough and river rock style to choose from. One local retailer gets bigger chunks of rock in for the landscape designers who want something more rustic or organic. If you need or want something more exotic there is a whole stretch of State College Blvd in Anaheim that's known as the "Tile Mile" they have at least a hundred sellers of stone and ceramic tile but also lots of sellers of big chunks and slabs of granites, marble, sandstone, etc. You might also talk to some of your locals who do countertops. Often times they break or have to tear out existing marble and granite countertops, and they may be able to supply you with chunks from those jobs if you ask them.
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