The California Mining and Mineral Museum is a museum in Mariposa, California. It chronicles and celebrates the mining history and rich geology of the state.

Operated by the California State Parks system, the California Mining and Mineral Museum offers a great amount of information about minerals and the state?s mining history. It is home to the official California State Mineral Collection, which is composed of 13,000 minerals, gems, fossils, rocks, and historic artifacts. This collection includes pieces from as far back as 1865 and the famous gold ?Fricot Nugget?, which weighs 201 troy ounces and is the largest found during the Gold Rush.

Described by the Smithsonian Institute as the ?best state gem museum in the United States?, the California Mining and Mineral Museum is open every Thursdays through Sundays on varying hours.