CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 2026
I. SDMG – Meetings, Announcements & Events
Sat, May 9, 2026 – SDMG Barbeque/Picnic & Silent Auction SAVE THE DATE – New location: Noble Athletic Area & Multi-Purpose Field parking lot, San Diego 92122
Mon, May 11, 2026 – Mineral Division Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Mon, May 18, 2026 – SDMG Board Meeting (Virtual)
Mon, May 25, 2026 – SDMG General Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Detailed listings for Shows and Events appear in The Pegmatite
Join the SDMG mailing list to receive regular e-Newsletters with a link to the bulletin
II. On the Go… To a Show & Other Events
Thu, April 30, 2026, 8pm SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County Fair – Deadline to submit entries online to the Gems, Minerals & Jewelry Dept. (Submit early and avoid last-minute website connection issues)
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 SANTA ANA, CA – West Coast Spring Gem & Mineral Show
Fri, Sat & Sun, May 1–3, 2026 VISTA, CA – Vista Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Fri and Sat, May 1–2, 2026 YUCAIPA, CA – YVGMS Annual Gem & Mineral Show
I. and II. All Meetings, Events & Shows
Mon, May 11, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – Mineral Division Meeting
Sponsor: SDMG
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the new fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
Jim Parrish will be hosting the meeting, with a program featuring Mineral of the Month: Rhodochrosite and a Strictly Minerals Silent Auction. Stay tuned for more details.
After the presentations we will have refreshments – so please bring something to share. The club will provide coffee, tea and punch.
Mon, May 25, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – SDMG General Meeting
Sponsor: San Diego Mineral & Gem Society
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. City of San Diego residents can register their vehicle online to qualify for free parking. (Do it ahead of time!) Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
Paul Kloppenborg will give a presentation on Cabochons: The Next Generation.
Please remember to bring something for dessert to share with everyone. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other drinks will be provided by SDMG. Your help afterward in cleanup is very much appreciated by me, Mike Frye and Dave Smith, who set up and take down. See you there!
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 SANTA ANA, CA – West Coast Spring Gem & Mineral Show
Sponsor: LLD Productions Inc.
Venue: Holiday Inn-Orange County Airport
2726 South Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Hours: Fri & Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 9am – 5pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: mineralshowslld@gmail.com
Website: www.mineralshowslld.com
Eighty retail and wholesale dealers featuring minerals, gems, lapidary, beads, jewelry, fossils, decorator pieces, and much more.
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 VISTA, CA – Vista Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Sponsor: Vista Gem & Mineral Society
Address: Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92083
Hours: Fri & Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: info@vistarocks.org
Website: vistarocks.org/shows
Outdoor event in a rustic setting with vendors offering jewelry, slabs, cabs, and rough stones of all kinds. Tools, equipment, and other lapidary related items.
Fri and Sat, May 1–2, 2026 YUCAIPA, CA – YVGMS Annual Gem & Mineral Show
Sponsor: Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society
Venue: Yucaipa Blvd at Adams Street, Yucaipa, CA 92399
Hours: Fri 5pm – 10pm, Sat Noon to 9pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: grandpasgems@gmail.com
Website: www.yvgms.org
Over 40 vendors, jewelry, fossils, mineral specimens, silent auctions, and a kids’ corner.