Permits
National forests and BLM: check each unit. Many CA state parks prohibit gathering. City oaks are often where death caps fruit — do not pick landscaping.
Interactive planner
California field planner
Use this on your phone in the truck. Print the ledger when you want paper in the rain.
NorCal redwood / tanoak
Coastal fog belt · 0–600 m
Bay Area oaks
Live oak, urban · 0–400 m
Sierra west slope
Mixed conifer, morels · 800–2,000 m
SoCal sky islands
Pine after rare rain · 1,400–2,400 m
Dated species
| Species | First | Last | Peak | Buyer $/lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Chanterelle | Nov 1 | Apr 15 | Dec–Feb | 8–25 |
| Black Trumpet | Dec 1 | Mar 15 | Jan | 20–50 |
| True Morel | Mar 20 | May 20 | Apr | 20–50 |
| Death Cap | Nov 1 | Mar 1 | Dec–Jan | — |
If you sell
CDPH and county cottage-food rules are strict. Wild mushrooms usually need an approved wild-mushroom expert or licensed vendor path.