Diving: Irvine, San Diego, or elsewhere?

[Crush]

Thanks to all for the advice and the offers! It looks as though April is now a no-go and the range of possible dates has expanded to include June through August. I may make the trip to CA two days in advance of the family to get the diving out of the way guilt-free.

 

[mselenaous]

Gotta agree with Blue Steel. Take the family over to Avalon on Catalina Island on the ferry for the day, so much for everyone to do/see there and you can dive in the dive park at Casino Point. When I would have non-divers/divers visiting, that's where we'd go so that everyone could have a fun day. Dive shop right there where you can rent everything you need or any of the other 3 within walking distance to rent anything. And just post when you are going to be there and a few (or more) Scubaboarders might show up to meet with you/dive with you. Not unheard of on the weekends in the summer for there to be over 100 divers diving the park. And you might meet the infamous Dr.Bill.

 

[mathauck0814]

Not unheard of on the weekends in the summer for there to be over 100 divers diving the park

Curious if you intended this as a selling point or a reason not to go? lol

 

[mselenaous]

It's always a fun time and a place to meet new buds, catch up with old buds.
OK sometimes the hoards of OW classes affects the viz, but everyone has to start somewhere.

 

[Teamcasa]

Not unheard of on the weekends in the summer for there to be over 100 divers diving the park

Curious if you intended this as a selling point or a reason not to go? lol

The park can handle a 100 divers with no issue other than the vis can get kicked up if the majority are students out on the flats. In that case we just head to the other end of the park and enjoy the reefs.

I agree, take the family to Catalina. They will have fun and so will you.

 

[on_two_wheels]

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of the dive park on weekends in summer. Fortunately, my schedule allows for a lot of weekday dives.

Crush....the dates you're now listing helps your options. As Blue Steal mentioned, Sundiver Express goes every weds & fri and has a awesome staff. The magician runs weds & fri during the summer (unless he changed it this year...doubt that). Very nice boat and highly skilled captain. Both are awesome choices and probably cheaper than shore diving Casino Point on the island after food/air is calculated in.

 

[Crush]

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your feedback! Our tickets are now booked. I will have two days to go diving. Dates, times, and locations are:

Sunday 15 July, all day - I plan to boat dive Catalina Island. Boat recommendations and buddies are sought (I am sure that I will find insta-buddies on the boat).
Thursday 19 July, all day - San Diego area. Dive recommendations and buddies are sought.

I will have all of my own gear except tanks and weights (and a dive buddy).

Several of you have indicated that I might be able to meet up with you for a dive. I will be PMing you individually.