Any must dives between SFO and LAX late Aug./09 time?

[Torontonian]

Hi.

My wife and I are flying to San Francisco airport on the night of Mon. Aug. 24/09. We'll rent a car and probably take 2 days to drive the pacific coastal highway to Long Beach, before boarding a cruise ship on Sun. Aug. 30.

Only I dive, my wife can snorkel, or just relax. I'll bring my own gears (no tank/weight), but may rent a wetsuit if my own 3mm long is not warm enough.

I'm thinking to go to Catalina Island one day, and will have a separate thread asking about that. So other than Catalina Island, what are the good diving near Los Angeles area, or along the way from SFO?


Oh, on our Mexican Riviera cruise we'll stop at Cabo, PV, and Mazatlan. I'll also get some diving there. So unless there diving near LA is really good, I can also skip it.

Thanks.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There is a lot of great beach and boat diving in Monterey, Carmel, San Luis Obisbo, Santa Barbara, Channel Islands, Ventura, Malibu and Palos Verdes before you reach Long Beach. Most divers in Central and Southern California use 7mm wetsuits or drysuits.
Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: California North, USA West

Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: California Mid, USA West

http://www.aquariusdivers.com/boatdiving.htm

California Dive Boats : The Official Page

Truth Aquatics - About Us

Peace Dive Boat

Diving Scuba Vacation, Channel Islands, California

YouTube - palos verdes scuba diving

 

[Gombessa]

I can't speak about SoCal diving, but Monterey, 2 hours south of SF (that's on your way), is where most of the NorCal action is, and it's world class. There'll be a ton of kelp in August, and you shouldn't have any trouble finding a few buddies for the day. The wife can check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium if she doesn't want to sit around waiting for you.

You will definitely need something warmer than a 3mm - as MBT mentioned, thick/farmer john 7mms and drysuits re pretty much the norm.

 

[Torontonian]

Thanks Max, that's a lot of diving possibilities.

We need to spend 1-2 days driving the Big Sur and the pacific coast, and enjoy the scenery. A day diving/snorkeling/touring Catalina Island. 1-2 days touring LA attractions, including Hollywood.

But realistically, I can probably spare one more (or 1/2) day for diving. Are there some fantastic, must do type of dives along the way? (Something you don't usually get elsewhere.)

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Your best bet for good visibility and conditions would likely be to take a boat to the Channel Islands. Monterey/Carmel is spectacular, but can get bad conditions any time. Palos Verdes and Malibu offer more life to see than Catalina, but you have to deal with limited visibility.

 

[robint]

Dive Catalina, Catalina, or Catalina!

You will need a 7mm suit for sure. I doubt your wife will want to snorkel in 60-68 degree water though. If you want to take the ferry over to Catalina for a day, you might both enjoy that. YOu can shore dive there while she snorkels if she wants.
There are several boats that go out from Long Beach area and diving is awesome! Check out some of my Calif videos.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Suggest that you contact Mr. Alex Pierce of SCUBA 2000 in Richmond Hill for first hand information. For the past several years he has led a dive group from Toronto the good to California the wild which has exactly duplicated the trip you have proposed.

Please bear in mind that from Big Sur to San Luis Obispo (SLO)is rather desolate with little in the way creature comforts. The few motels along the way are generally booked that time of the year since the area offerers a very mild climate with breathtaking scenery. Therefore there would probably be very few vacancies

Their is very little diving except for Jade Cove at Plaskett creek but there is no dive shops past the Monterey area to the north and San Luis Obispo area to the south.

There is a once in a life time opportunity to to view up close and personal the huge elephant seals that have a pull area 30 miles north of SLO.

There is so much to see and do on the route you have proposed that I would suggest --Urge- that you make this a sight seeing trip with your wife and return in October with Alex and SCUBA 2000 for a diving oriented trip. This would satisfy your wife and insure domestic tranquility for years to come

 

[dashark]

Definatley Catalina. maybe even just the cattle boat for a day in Avalon. That way there is plenty to do for your wife while you dive Casino point.casino point is also a great place for her to snorkel while you dive as well.
other than that, I would highly recomend a trip out of Ventura to Ana Capa and/or Santa Cruz Islands. The Peace is my favorite boat up here. The Raptor looks real nice and it is new. Apparantly very fast as well.
Enjoy!

 

[Torontonian]

I can't speak about SoCal diving, but Monterey, 2 hours south of SF (that's on your way), is where most of the NorCal action is, and it's world class. There'll be a ton of kelp in August, and you shouldn't have any trouble finding a few buddies for the day. The wife can check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium if she doesn't want to sit around waiting for you.

We have seen a few aquariums, so I think my wife won't exactly want to go to another one while waiting for me. Thanks, but maybe next time.

Suggest that you contact Mr. Alex Pierce of SCUBA 2000 in Richmond Hill for first hand information. For the past several years he has led a dive group from Toronto the good to California the wild which has exactly duplicated the trip you have proposed.

Please bear in mind that from Big Sur to San Luis Obispo (SLO)is rather desolate with little in the way creature comforts. The few motels along the way are generally booked that time of the year since the area offerers a very mild climate with breathtaking scenery. Therefore there would probably be very few vacancies

Their is very little diving except for Jade Cove at Plaskett creek but there is no dive shops past the Monterey area to the north and San Luis Obispo area to the south.

There is a once in a life time opportunity to to view up close and personal the huge elephant seals that have a pull area 30 miles north of SLO.

There is so much to see and do on the route you have proposed that I would suggest --Urge- that you make this a sight seeing trip with your wife and return in October with Alex and SCUBA 2000 for a diving oriented trip. This would satisfy your wife and insure domestic tranquility for years to come

Excellent point about keeping my wife happy. A good husband needs to do that. But I won't be able to afford a separate trip, so will need to make the best of this trip.

I was thinking to stay a night at Montery and spend the next day driving south. Sounds like the scenery is spectacular it'll take the day. So we could stay the night at a place where I could go diving with seals the next morning. Where do I go to dive with those elephant seals? Is that something my wife can snorkel on top to see (so it'll be her trip too) ?


I'll try to contact Alec Pieces on his experience too.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Elephant seals would tear you apart. When you make it down as far as Channel Islands Harbor there are several boats that will take you to spots at Anacapa Island where you and your wife will be surrounded by sea lions. They're extremely playful. Also, check with the boats when you get to Long Beach about trips to Santa Barbara Island. They always make the last dive of the day at the sea lion rookery.