Aquarium and Dive Show Question

[booth22]

Quick question from a dried out AZ diver... What do people think about the Aquarium of the Pacific? It looks pretty good from it's website, but you can never tell.

And what can anyone say about the Dive Show in Long Beach (in June) ? We were planning a trip to the LA area and wondering if either/both of these are worth checking out.

Thanks!

 

[ChrisM]

I volunteered at the aquarium for a couple years as a diver, so it's close to my heart. It is not as good as Monterey, IMHO, but it is still a very nice place to spend a few hours. I think it's worth it.

As for the show, on the other hand, I went a couple times and never went back. There is a lot of travel info, if you are looking to talk to resorts, etc., but you can't officially buy any scuba equipment there. I don't think it's a great show, and it's not worht it to drive there, pay to park, pay to get in, and walk around for an hour or so. If you've nothing else to do, but you could always dive. I know others like it.

Chris

 

[Robert Phillips]

I just signed the family up for membership at the Aquarium of the Pacific today. Took the son for the fourth time. He digs it, I dig it, the wife digs it. Like Chris said though, it is not as good as Monterey, but it still rocks.
Take the behind the scene tour. Go early during mid-week to avoid the larger crowds. Mid week is usually full of school kids, if you can handle that.

Scuba Show is lots of fun too. just cruising through the aisles and checking out vendors. Your best bet is to do a local shore dive and then hit the show. I did that last year and it's cool hitting Scuba Show after you've been diving!

 

[Frank O]

My favorite aquarium is in Osaka, although it's kind of a schlep. Haven't yet been to the new one in Georgia, which bills itself as the largest in the world. Monterey Bay rocks, but AOP isn't bad either. I'd go if I were visiting the area.

My impression of the scuba show was that there wasn't all that much there there -- I had the chance to meet a couple of people I'd only emailed with, but mostly I was already familiar with all the companies and gear. On the other hand, it put me onto a killer deal for the Roatan trip I came back from a couple of weeks ago.

 

[MontereyCADiver]

Personally, I think both facilities are great. Each offers a different perspective of our world's oceans and how we're all connected through them. Additionally, each encourages conservation in their unique way.

As a volunteer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I suppose I'm partial to what we have here; however, I like what the folks at the Aquarim of the Pacific are doing, too. We, at both facilities, are doing what we can to make a difference.

Congrats to the folks that are members of either facility and for encouraging your kids' involvement!

 

[LAJim]

I've been going to Monterey Bay Aquarium about every other year for the past 25. Saw it last summer. Went to the Long Beach AOP for the first time a few weeks ago for diver weekend (free admit with C-Card). Its difficult to avoid the comparison with Monterey, which very clearly wins. However, I strongly support the effort to develop something comparable in the LA area - they just have a lot of work to do. I remember having the impression that we might not come back next time if we had to pay full freight to do so. With small children it would be a different calculation, and there was a student group having a great time.

Regarding the scuba show. I went for the first time last year and enjoyed it. We were pretty new divers at the time and I did some scouting for scuba-related travel. We went back to the LB convention center recently for the Travel Show where we probably more effectively scouted out scuba travel (nice scuba-related materials on the Marshal Islands and Guam).

On balance combining the aquarium and the scuba show would be a good way to spend six hours. There are some pretty good places for lunch and dinner around there (California Pizza Kitchen and similar). Using ScubaBoard you shouid be able to find somone to take you diving in Laguna Beach - maybe a 45 minute drive to the south.

I think the scuba show conflicts with some travel so we won't go this year. My summary evaluation is that the beach diving in Laguna is sure to please.


Jim

 

[booth22]

I appreciate everyone's advice, thanks and maybe we'll do a bit of diving @ Laguna Beach. - booth

 

[mikerault]

There is actually a dive shop right above the divers cove where you can shore dive right North of the main part of town. Was just there last week, didn't get to dive, but next time I am in the area will make it a priority!

 

[LAJim]

I dove Laguna this morning at N. Crescent Bay. I guarantee you will find someone from this Board to dive with you if you post a week in advance.

Jim

 

[booth22]

thanks everyone, i wasn't sure if I wanted to lug the gear along, but now we'll plan on diving and look for someone to join us when we come out. we're fairly new, hopefully someone won't mind some newbies (not noobs) tagging along.