California trip

[b3l3ns]

Hi all!
I am planning to hit the 101 from San Diego to Vancouver, and I want to do some diving in my way. Can you advice me the best spots?

Thanks!

 

[ScubaVideo]

Wow, I can't believe no one answered your question. Well for future visitors to Monterey, I will give this a shot.

Top of the list would be Pt. Lobos. Get reservations and have a buddy.

Next up for me would be just up the highway 1 (not 101) to Monastery Beach. I recommend a local buddy who knows the spot, we don't call it Mortuary Beach for nothing. I love the north side the most, but south side has just as much to offer. It can get very deep here as this is the beginning of the Monterey Canyon, but I would not recommend any 3000 ft dives

If your logged dives are accurate, hit the Breakwater for some easy diving. Crowded with students on the weekends and also a great night dive spot. Air fills available right here too.

Just up the beach in Cannery Row is another spot called McAbee, further up the road (Ocean View Blvd) is Lovers Pt. In between is 13th street and Coral St. For any of these I recommend a local buddy to show you the ropes - we call it kelp here.

For the best and easiest diving, hook up with one of the local boats running out of the commercial wharf (Municipal Wharf 2 on the map - but what do they know!)

 

[Michael Kazma]

1st stop......San Diego!

Come join us on a blue water shark trip out of SD to start the journey off (Shark Diving :: Ocean Explorers)

 

[diverlee]

I too am planning a trip next June 2012. I will be staying near Monterey. I want to dive in kelp. Whats the difference in the diving in Montery vs the Channel Islands. Vis, stuff to see etc...
Originally was going to go on the Truth or one of those boats. If I stay local and dive Monterey will that give me the California diving experience?
Didn't mean to bust in on this thread but thought the info may help the person who originally started the thread.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I too am planning a trip next June 2012. I will be staying near Monterey. I want to dive in kelp. Whats the difference in the diving in Montery vs the Channel Islands. Vis, stuff to see etc...

The water is usually slightly colder in Monterey. You'll probably end up seeing a lot of the same kinds of critters. You might see some different species of nudibranchs. Vis conditions can vary (5 ft. - 50 ft.). In Monterey, you have the option of doing some wonderful shore dives in addition to boat dives. For the Channel Islands, a lot of people dive off of boats. Catalina Island is worth a visit for a few days to do some shore diving at the Casino Point UW Park.

Originally was going to go on the Truth or one of those boats. If I stay local and dive Monterey will that give me the California diving experience?

Yes.

 

[diverlee]

The water is usually slightly colder in Monterey. You'll probably end up seeing a lot of the same kinds of critters. You might see some different species of nudibranchs. Vis conditions can vary (5 ft. - 50 ft.). In Monterey, you have the option of doing some wonderful shore dives in addition to boat dives. For the Channel Islands, a lot of people dive off of boats. Catalina Island is worth a visit for a few days to do some shore diving at the Casino Point UW Park.

Yes.

Thanks!