Indeed, ggunn makes a good point about it being inconvenient to catch a dive boat if you stay in the north end of town. Flamingo and Hacienda are a fair walk from the international pier, esp if carrying gear, though most outfits'll store them for you. A good alternative is to take a taxi. It's a quick trip down to Caribe Blu or elsewhere south. Personally, I liked staying in town and doing the taxi thing (actually, for me, the taxi was part of the diving pkg price. Taxi drove to the operator's house in southern San Miguel; from there, we drove to the pier nearby El Presidente).
Anyway, slightly off subject in reply to Pisces, in regards to warm water escapes from SF: it *is* a long plane ride to most anywhere warm. I have heard that things are decent in Loreto, Baja (need to hop to LA, then Aerocalifornia to Loreto) and I've been thinking of going there. There's Los Cabos, too. Otherwise, the Caribbean, the Keys, Hawaii, Asia, are all long trips (and while Asia is closer than if you're on the East coast, anything longer than 5 hrs is too darn long, so the difference between an East coast departure vs West coast isn't all that much when it's a question of a sore butt from sitting too long).
As for Monterey, I am a warm water weenie, so only occasionally do Monterey. I don't do the drysuit thing either, and use a 7mm + a 7mm sleeveless hooded shortie combo. Lots of neoprene and lead, that's for sure! The kelp is definitely cool though, esp if it's clear (relatively speaking), and there is the slightly warmer alternative of southern california diving.
-Simon
