Lost California Treasure

California Artifact Hotspots and Detector Research Leads

California artifact-hotspot research leads, historic discovery sites, legal warnings, source notes, and map links for responsible field planning.

Open Artifact Hotspots on the map All records

2 Artifact Hotspots Records

  • The Dogtown Nugget Discovery Site artifact hotspot · Magalia (formerly Dogtown), Butte County · High probability

    In 1859, a massive 54-pound gold nugget was found in the Feather River canyon near Magalia, then known as Dogtown. It was the largest nugget found in California at the time. The surrounding ravines and gulches were.

  • Site of New Albion at Drake's Cove artifact hotspot · Drake's Cove and Drakes Estero area, Point Reyes peninsula, Marin County · Medium probability

    Drake's Cove at Point Reyes is the officially recognized Site of New Albion, where Francis Drake's expedition landed in 1579, repaired the Golden Hind, met Coast Miwok people, and reportedly erected the original brass.