consolidated rock & mineral shop

We've been visiting Consolidated on and off for several years now and I am always impressed with the materials they have in stock. Our most recent visit was Friday, November 28th while we were visiting family in the SF Bay Area. The boys always find some nice polished rocks and stuff for their collection and I love combing through the piles of rough that they have. This time, I walked away with a nice two pound piece of Mexican Lace Agate, a two pound Moroccan red agate and a purple/red thunder egg rough. All will need cutting and polishing and I cannot wait to get them going.If you come for the first time, here's some notes:This is a warehouse, not a mall or shopping center. It will be dusty and there will be piles of rocks as well as display cases of materials everywhere. Take your time and wander around. Make sure to dig through the rough if you're into cutting and polishing your own materials. Additionally, there are several rooms in back where there are museum quality fossils and gem/mineral specimens. There's no particular organization to the place so just take your time and poke through all the various nooks and crannies in the warehouse. The staff there is incredibly knowledgeable so, if you see something that you're unsure of, ask ... they will know what it is.Their inventory ranges from kiddie stuff like tumble polished stones for less than a dollar to rare museum quality pieces in the thousands of dollars, tumbling supplies, books and even lapidary equipment (mostly tumblers).Parking is easy although the gravel lot is small - it holds maybe 10 cars max. It's easy to get to as it's right off Highway 80 at the Vaca Valley Parkway exit. Take Vaca Valley Parkway north from the freeway (northwest more appropriately) then turn right onto Crescent and right onto Quinn. Follow Quinn to Consolidate, which will be on you left. The place has a restroom although, again, it's a warehouse, not a shopping center so it's clean but that's about it. One other item: If you visit during the Fall/Winter months make sure to bring a jacket ... it's an unheated warehouse. Actually, there is a heater but it only blows over the cash register area.Be prepared to spend at least a couple of hours - more if you are serious. You can always drop off your significant other at the outlet malls and then spend your afternoon here!Overall, this is a great rock hound's shop! We plan on visiting again in December when were back up in the Bay Area for the Christmas/New Years holiday.

I first visited the rock shop a few months ago. They have so many types of rocks, I was there an hour just looking. I purchased a few rocks, and they are reasonably priced too. The man that works behind the counter is so knowledgeable. You can't ask him a question he doesn't know. It is a bit metaphysical for my taste, but it is really nice.

Wow, if you want a shop that will entertain your kids for a really long time, take them to visit the Rock Shop! When I have gone, I have given my kids a few dollars to spend. There are thousands of rocks to look at and learn about...it will take them forever just to decide what to get with their few bucks! Some rocks are very small and some are bigger than your couch! Some cost 50 cents, some cost $10,000! You and your kids will be amazed, and the owners there know so much about every kind of rock. Seriously an educational experience. I have taken my Cub Scout Groups there for years to teach them the Geologist Badge. Better than a textbook! Wear a jacket, cuz it feels like you are in a cool cave. I highly recommend this place for families with kids! (or adults who enjoy geology) Go!!

This is such a neat place to see. Didn't even know it was there till I was introduced to it by a local friend. Its such a hidden gem. So cool for curious kids. Rocks,minerals, sea shells, shark teeth, etc. Something for every age and budget.

The Rock Shop is a very interesting place to visit if you are in the Vacaville area. It is a large warehouse that has thousands of different types of rocks, fossils, shell etc. priced from under a dollar up to over $10k. A friend of mine told me I should take my kids and I was a little dubious. Looking at rocks didn't sound very fun to do for a family outing, but this place is real treat to walk through. We've been back 3 or 4 times for gifts and just to let the kids pick out inexpensive nick-nacks. The building does not have air conditioning or heat so keep in mind that it may be hot or cold depending on the weather outside. If you have children and need to burn an hour, this is a free and fun thing to do as a family. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The shop is located near the Camping World off of Leisure Town Rd.