public places?

Hi all, I'm heading out the end of this month with my Father he is 78 years old and has always wanted us to go metal detecting for gold nuggets.. Do any of you guys know of any washes or land that is available for us to metal detect and maybe have a little luck? just want him to find...

So I'm a newbie and have been doing some research and haven't been out much. I know public parks and public schools are a go but in California, or at least where I live almost all the schools are fenced and locked up? Shouldn't they be open to public? Other than parks and private homes where...