Camping in Gualala for 4th of July...

[marcus8]

Debating whether to bring the gear and/or the golf clubs. I'm a vet in Monterey but a total newbie to the North Coast (read 0 dives north of Lovers). Can someone point me to something interesting near the Gualala area? I've always had a bias that the north coast has poor viz in general and not much life. I watched divers come out of Pt. Arena once...viz was like 3' and they were grumpy as hell. So I come by my prejudice somewhat honestly. Please re-educate me. Perhaps a link to some recommended ops/shops, maps and/or recommendations of nearby dive sites?

Thanks Folks

Mark

PS. OH, and if there is a nice golf course nearby, that would be cool info too. I've heard some interesting things about Sea Ranch links.

 

[Peter_C]

We just dove there this past weekend and vis was at least 20 feet probably better. I could see the bottom from the surface in over 25 ft of water.

This site is great for locations.
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalN/index.htm

You could also check in here to see who else is diving that weekend, from our club, but it is probably going to be more in the Gerstle Cove, Fort Ross, and Stillwater Cove area.
http://northcoastdivers.org/

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Debating whether to bring the gear and/or the golf clubs. I'm a vet in Monterey but a total newbie to the North Coast (read 0 dives north of Lovers). Can someone point me to something interesting near the Gualala area? I've always had a bias that the north coast has poor viz in general and not much life. I watched divers come out of Pt. Arena once...viz was like 3' and they were grumpy as hell. So I come by my prejudice somewhat honestly. Please re-educate me. Perhaps a link to some recommended ops/shops, maps and/or recommendations of nearby dive sites?

Thanks Folks

Mark

PS. OH, and if there is a nice golf course nearby, that would be cool info too. I've heard some interesting things about Sea Ranch links.

I don't know anything about golfing up in that area, but I do know there is a golf course in Bodega Bay but that would be too far south to make it practical.

As far as the diving, you could go about 10 minutes north up to Anchor Bay and probably do a shore dive there. If you had a kayak you could paddle out to fish rocks which you can see as a cluster of rocks off shore. I've never dove it but I would imagine it is great just like all the rest of the North Coast. I know people who have speared some huge lings out there. If you're into trying ab diving there are places along Sea Ranch that you could go and you could tank dive them too depending on how energetic you are with packing gear up and down hills. The North Coast is more wild than Monterey and more advanced. The water is rougher and the currents are stronger, and yes the vis is generally lower but not always. And as far as sea life, Monterey is barren compared to how the North Coast looks. We get much more current sweeping action which brings in the nutrients that makes stuff grow. Unfortunately that's also what makes the vis lower generally, but not always. I've seen it in excess of 60 feet before.

Our club, the North Coast Divers, will be diving somewhere up there on the first Sunday of the month which I believe would be the 2nd?
You should join up with us. In fact that was the whole concept and mission statement of the club; To promote diving on the North Coast and give new people to the area a resource to use when they visit.
http://www.northcoastdivers.org/

ZKY

 

[marcus8]

Now THAT sounds like an interesting option. Would love to dive with some local veterans. I'll monitor that website ZKY and hopefully join you that Sunday then.

Many Thanks

Mark

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I forgot that ab season closes down in July so disregard any mention of ab diving in my above post.

ZKY

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Debating whether to bring the gear and/or the golf clubs. I'm a vet in Monterey but a total newbie to the North Coast (read 0 dives north of Lovers). Can someone point me to something interesting near the Gualala area? I've always had a bias that the north coast has poor viz in general and not much life. I watched divers come out of Pt. Arena once...viz was like 3' and they were grumpy as hell. So I come by my prejudice somewhat honestly. Please re-educate me. Perhaps a link to some recommended ops/shops, maps and/or recommendations of nearby dive sites?

Thanks Folks

Mark

PS. OH, and if there is a nice golf course nearby, that would be cool info too. I've heard some interesting things about Sea Ranch links.

Hey Mark,

The North Coast Divers group dive will be Sunday July 2nd at Fisk Mill Cove. Thats about 20 minutes south from where you'll be camping (see the post in the announcements section of SB Norcal). This would be a great opportunity for you to dive the North Coast. Come and join us. We'll be having a picnic too!

ZKY

 

[marcus8]

Oops, I just noticed your reply ZKY. Thanks for the info. I've also registered on that board now so will keep track of that. I have directions to Fisk Mill. Couple questions....is the entry too rough to bring a camera....gotta get some pics of the place ? Also, it appears as though my dive buddy does not have "permission" from his wife to dive that day so I may be solo. Any chance I'll be able to hook up with a buddy with you folks? Lastly, best place to score tanks between Gualala and Salt Pt.?

Mark

 

[D_O_H]

Sorry I didn't see this first time around. I've played at sea ranch and it's fine but nothing special. Same goes for the links in Bodega - they're both fine if you're in the area and in the mood to play. Neither are worth going out of your way for, though, and I'd definitely prefer to go diving if ocean conditions permit. I'm hoping to get out and join you guys on the 2nd, though I'm only about 50/50 at the moment.

I agree 100% with what you've been told above about diving on the N. Coast. It can be rougher and can have lower visibility but it can also be more rewarding.

On your questions, I usually bring my own tanks when diving up that way and I'd suggest you do the same (i.e. rent them before you leave). I don't think there are any dive shops between Gualala and Salt Pt. Eric or someone more familiar w/the area can let you know for sure. You don't need to bring your own buddy and you should be able to get in and out with your camera.

 

[TCDiver1]

Bodega bay is a nice but Sea Ranch is great course also IMO and it's just down the road from where your camping. Another one we enjoy though a bit of drive is Northwoods Golf Club east of Jenner up in the Redwoods. Pretty cool because it's an old Alister Mackenzie design cut right through a Redwood forest.

A golf ball hitting a Redwood make a unique ploinking sound that must be experienced.

 

[D_O_H]

Bodega bay is a nice but Sea Ranch is great course also IMO and it's just down the road from where your camping. Another one we enjoy though a bit of drive is Northwoods Golf Club east of Jenner up in the Redwoods. Pretty cool because it's an old Alister Mackenzie design cut right through a Redwood forest.

A golf ball hitting a Redwood make a unique ploinking sound that must be experienced.

I may have to give Sea Ranch another whirl. I didn't realze it was supposed to be anything special and don't recall being terribly impressed, but I could have been failing to pay attention to its subtelties.

I would love to play Northwoods sometime. Pasatiempo is probably my favorite course in the US (with the possible exception of the Bandon Dunes courses), so I'm definitely down with Alister.