Finding Fossilized Sharks Teeth in Bakersfield, California

In Bakersfield, California, Sharktooth Hill is a National Natural Landmark, where fossilized shark teeth are EVERYWHERE.

Digging for fossilized shark teeth is both an art and a science. Equipped with a sturdy shovel sifter, amateur enthusiasts like myself can carefully sift through sediment and rock layers, searching for these fossils (which are pretty easy to find!). It is an incredibly fun weekend activity.

Although you can’t collect at a national landmark, there are private properties that border the national landmark, like the Ernst Family, who own an Ernst Quarry. They allow visitors to search for fossils as a pay-to-dig quarry. This is typically where we go.

You have to book this in advance, and they do sell out on dates! You pay (cash) one flat rate for each car.

Planning Your Trip

Since we drive up from LA, we stay at the Padre Hotel in Bakersfield the night before so we don’t have to wake up so early. Bakersfield has a strong car culture, and cruise nights are often held downtown. So we get dinner and check that out the night before (I think cruise nights are the 2nd Friday and the 3rd Saturday, but I could be wrong).

Dress in clothes you don't mind getting incredibly dusty.

Usually, you meet between 7:45 to 8:15 (you can't be late). Cell phone reception on the way there is really bad.

What Fossilized Things Can You Find:

• Sharks teeth (mako, meg, six gill, porpoise, etc)

• Fragments of whale bones

• Stingray teeth

• ... and more!

What To Bring

They provide everything you need to dig, but you can always bring your own tool (we have our own saw horses and sifter).

• $Cash$ to enter

• Signed forms (they will give you them if you forget)

• A vehicle that can go off-roading (preferably with high clearance)

• A cooler with drinks, ice, lunch and snacks

• Waters

• Wet wipes

• Ziplock bag or jar for your teeth!

• Face masks (Google valley fever. You don’t want that)

Really Nice To Have

• Folding chairs

• Pop-up tent or beach umbrella (there is No Shade)

• Gardening gloves

• 2 saw horses, sifter(s) and shovel(s) (they provide them, but some are pretty beaten up. if you have your own, I'd bring them)