Where can I go to find arrowheads in Southern California?

[XPress2]

I am planning a trip to Southern California in two weeks and I am asking any members for advice on where to look for arrowheads in this region. My location is centered between Los Angeles and San Diego. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Tnmountains]

I would look at a topo map and then google the countys you will be in with the words artifacts. This will narrow your search down some. a short trip like that would have me looking for shelters or old river ways. Make sure that you know its ok to collect or pick up stuff. Good luck on your trip and if you find anything come back and share it.
TnMtns

[Newt]

I'd say looking the wrong way would be illegal in CA by now.
Newt

[blindpig]

Hi there X Press2 , I live in Northern San Diego County , an “approximate” location of your planed trip .
Now , Cali is a beautiful place for sure ,beaches , Mountains , Deserts and everything in between . The Native American must have once found it a true paradise, .. And they have left a few pieces of there past lives here for us to find . There places of occupation are typically found on a small terrace with a southern exposure , within 40 yd’s of flowing water . These area’s of occupation are pock-marked with Mortar / “grinding” - holes on boulders and the bedrock . Such area’s are easy too find when walking up or down any water corse that has a good growth of Live Oak .



Mortar / "grinding" holes found in "area's" of occupation ,..hell I don't even like to use the word "site" ,.. O.K. , maybe a bit paranoid ,.. but I'm the one being watched...




Now , here’s the problem , this is the State of California , we have a WAY over reaching state government here ,... they show no or little regard toward private property and the owners of this land . There is no right minded land owner that would like to get the attention of any of are state agencies ,. With this said , no land owner needs to have any type of cultural material found on there land . Time and time again I’ve seen where good people have “given” the State pieces [even in the middle] of there land ,... was the “cheapest” way out for ‘em !! This is not all land , deemed for housing devolvement , but land used for agriculture ,.. Can’t even put a plow to it !And we have Judges that will go along with the State on it !! Yeah F..... Crazy ,.. I know !
Anyway ,...... I believe it is still legal to surface collect on private property with owners permission . I would not attempt to dig for artifacts on private property for several reasons , One is I don’t believe there’s a need to disturb any intact archaeological site for a few points . Two , it’s also well known ,out here in Cali that Valley fever [fugual] is present in the cultural medians , bad stuff ! And last , but not lest , this is California , the State would not like it , and would have there Judges bring there hammer down on me ,.. And the land owner .
State & Federal and local government lands are of corse off limit for collecting .
If I may suggest ,.. Maybe try a different “game” out here on your visit to Cali . Maybe the Tourmaline Mines of San Diego , google it and you’ll find a host of sites like ; Oceanview Mine [www.digforgems.com] and there was a tour related to the Himalaya Mine , this also looked good [www.highdesertgemsandminerals.com] both of these didn’t look like the “salted-bucket” type mines ,IMO . You also may like to try one of the many Gold Prospecting Clubs , maybe one would sponsor/let you go on one of there outings ?? S.P.M.A. of lemon Grove is a good one , good bunch of people there !

Yeah ,,... O’ Cali isn’t like the fine State of Iowa ,. Where you can ,for the most part ask any farmer to hunt for arrow-heads in his field and receive permission ,. . not say’n Cali farmers are a bunch of A$$-H%’s ,... just the people a run’n are State .

Hope this helps ,....Blindpig ..

[Tnmountains]

Wow Blindpig you nailed it !!