California Diving

[Frank O]

Not to worry! If this is you and you have the money to blow, then do not attempt to shore dive, just go on the boat.

Well, I love shore diving too, but ... keeping in mind that the visitors are from Florida (probably used to decent vis?), and they'll be here first of July (water probably still green due to plankton bloom) ... I'd say it's a tossup between going to Casino Point on Catalina for an island shore dive, or taking one of the charter boats.

 

[scottfiji]

Well, I love shore diving too, but ... keeping in mind that the visitors are from Florida (probably used to decent vis?), and they'll be here first of July (water probably still green due to plankton bloom) ... I'd say it's a tossup between going to Casino Point on Catalina for an island shore dive, or taking one of the charter boats.

If someone is only here for a few days or a week, the charter boat is the best bet - least amount of hassle, with the best chance of good conditions.

Scott

 

[HBDiveGirl]

Hi Eric,
Hermosa Beach, it is! Yeah, this SoCal native has noticed all the changes too...some good, some tough. Sure is different from SLO...I get up your way frequently to visit family, and I keep thinking about diving up there. SLO Dive shop ("SLO Ocean Current"??) laughingly told me that "nobody shore dives around here:whack: ...we all drive to Ventura and take boats to the Channel Islands!" So I guess you're on to something...
My first love was boat diving the So. Channel Islands, but last summer I had a fantastic time diving boats and shore for 20 weekends with excellent buddies. (La Jolla, Laguna, White's point, Pt. Vicente, Marineland, Malaga, Redondo Canyon, Leo Carillo, Pt. Dume, and the 4 Southern Islands)...and discovered how much fun it can be if you go frequently enough to get familiar with a site, see it's changing appearance in different conditions, and learn the topography. And the more shore dives I do, the easier and more rewarding it gets. I do need doses of that sweet Island viz, though! Hard-edged opinions are entertaining, but the truth for me is that exploring the ocean with good friends is the peak experience, and all ways are good. Diving from both boat and shore makes me more appreciative of each. I must say that I'm a lot less "delicate" than I was when I all I did was boat diving.:sprite10: Something to be said for long surface swims and moving gear up and down cliffs...
If you haven't joined the gang yet, do try to make it "down here" for a Wrinkles dive...that wonderful group puts a whole great new spin on exploration and surface intervals. If you been there, you know! If NOT, well, come on!! It's a long drive for you, but PM me or someone else on the Wrinkle planning threads and one of us will figure out a way to house you before and after so you can enjoy a day of diving. "Boat Divers" are welcome, too...heehee...
Claudette

I'm north of most of you, so maybe I just haven't experienced the "right" shore dive locations, but I was greatly disappointed with the visibility on most of the Central Coast and Southern California shore diving I've done. I have enjoyed Casino Point and plan on checking out La Jolla. I'd still recommend getting out there on a boat for the best chance at some great diving.

I got a good laugh from the "delicate" comment though.

BTW, does HB stand for Hermosa Beach? I grew up in Manhattan Beach. I now live in San Luis Obispo and am amazed at how much the South Bay area has changed.

 

[Frank O]

I grew up in Manhattan Beach. I now live in San Luis Obispo and am amazed at how much the South Bay area has changed.

That's for sure. I remember when I was a 4-year-old at the tail end of the '50s, we spent a summer renting a house in Manhattan Beach after we moved out of our tract house in Long Beach and were waiting to move into our tract house in Orange County. The house we rented was what was then thought of as an "old place" ... probably ~1900 vintage, two-story wooden house surrounded by big fields, great place to play around. I'm sure you don't see stuff like that around anymore! That was back when Pacific Ocean Park (or POP) was open, not to mention Marineland. All in all, some pretty cool memories.

 

[mccabejc]

That was back when Pacific Ocean Park (or POP) was open, not to mention Marineland. All in all, some pretty cool memories.

Wow, Pacific Ocean Park. Now there are some memories. Pay One Price. Remember the Ocean Skyway, those bubble gondolas? Very cool....

Hey, wait a minute, I grew up in New York. I think I just channeled somebody else's memories.

Nevermind.....

 

[Frank O]

Hey, wait a minute, I grew up in New York. I think I just channeled somebody else's memories. Nevermind.....

If you pick up anything on O2 cleaning and tank tumbling, let me know -- that'd indicate where my short-term memory is going ...

 

[EricJ]

If you haven't joined the gang yet, do try to make it "down here" for a Wrinkles dive...that wonderful group puts a whole great new spin on exploration and surface intervals.

I'm familiar with the "Wrinkles" group. Someone was nice enough to bring to my attention a trip to El Refugio recently. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it, but I plan on joining the group sometime. I have a brother who lives in Torrance and a some high school buddies I still get together with, so I make it down there fairly often. I also haven't missed the International Surf Festival for the past several years. I participate in the Dwight Crum Pier-to-Pier Swim and love watching the lifeguard competition and volleyball tournament. I also make sure to eat a The Kettle too...brings back great memories. La Pinita is another place that brings back memories. As teenagers, we'd buy some beer at Bocado's. We'd then take it into La Pinita and drink it over our two dollar Mexican dinner that was served on an IHOP plate. Those were the days!

The owner of SLO Ocean Currents is a great guy; and you're right, not many people bother with shore diving up here.

 

[ChrisM]

Hey Eric, I'm doing the Pier to Pier for the first time this year. Give us a holler when you're down. I also live in Torrance.... for now, soon to be Redondo BEach, closer to Malaga

And Frank - Marineland --- fond memories

 

[Frank O]

And Frank - Marineland --- fond memories

Okay, now you guys have got me on a roll. (And headed farther and farther off-topic.)

Is everyone old enough to remember when the submarine was running at Disneyland? (I don't think it was that long ago.)

How about -- and this is more of a stretch -- the old flying saucers in Tomorrowland that ran on a cushion of air? I know they were there in the 1960s, but can't recall when they were decommissioned.

 

[Diver_Jan]

How right you are. We are not alone. We need T-Shirts.

Shore Diving blows.

---
Ken

Hey Ken, maybe you just haven't had the RIGHT escort on your shore dives!!! Come to think of it, WE have not done a shore dive together.

Some of the most amazing things I have seen from shore diving that I have not seen off a boat: Horn Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Leopard Sharks; GIANT Bat Rays; Butterfly Ray; Spotted Bat Ray; dozens of Thornback Rays; dozens of Eels (Morey); Wolfhead Eel; numerous varieties of nudibranchs, sea anenomes, sea fans, corals, ect...........ALL right here off the shores of Laguna Beach!!!