This area is closed for renovation of the Museum.
Planning is underway for future regional exhibits .
The Las Patronas Mine Tunnel is an immersion experience trip through a reconstructed gem mine. Inside are ideal and natural gem pockets, authentic mine timbers, a mining cart on tracks, and touchable specimens. Pegmatite typically contains large crystals of quartz and feldspar, although it is prospected for its rare elements and gems. San Diego County has a rich mining history, and many tons of gem-quality tourmaline, garnet, kunzite, topaz, and beryl have been extracted from pegmatite. To protect the fragile gem crystals, digging must be done by hand or light equipment, and for this reason, most gem deposits in San Diego are found in shallow pits or short tunnels.