Congrats on your parole from No Cal and being transfered to our slice of heaven. You realize, of course, that you'll need to change your handle. And there are some rules to being a So Cal:
#1 - Sports: Relinquish any and all allegiance to:
* San Jose Sharks (replace with LA Kings... NOT THE DUX)
* Excramento Kings and/or GS Warriors (replace with the Lakers)
* No Cal Giants and/or Oakland A's (We're all about the Dodgers)
* If you're a Raiders fan, that's still OK here. If you're still a 49'ers fan, live in the now my friend. Manilo is gone.
#2 - Grography Lession
* There is no "down here". Here is simply here. If we're going to cleanse you from that No Cal stain, you need to understand that So Cal is home, and No Cal is still unfortunately No Cal.
* So Cal: from the 605 freeway on the south, to Santa Barbara on the north. Any place within 310, 626, 818. 909 barely counts, because that's out Fontukey and riverside way... avoid. NEVER go east of I-15.
* OCal ("OH-Cal" - Orange County): An infections, pretentious, irksome lot. They sit on the border of our So Cal heaven from their bankrupt county and lob scuds over the border. Think Disney, think "The Irvine Company", think home of the $25 car wash. They believe they are So Cal. Don't be fooled, they are not. You may drive through (if you can...) or you may perform a beach entry from within OCal, but never linger. If you are handed a 714 area code, change phone companies. They dwell from south of the 605 on the north, to about Dana Point on the south. Just talking about OCal makes me crave a shower.
* Low Cal (San Diego): Now you're talkin'. Great people, great fishing, wonderful down-town, cool hang, outstanding diving. The only other place on the planet you should consider planting roots (if So Cal is out) is Low Cal. Dana Point on the north (although there is a raging debate on where the Low Cal border really is) and south to the Mexican border. Highly recommended.
* No Cal: everything above Santa Barbara, unfortunately, falls into No Cal. To be avoided at all costs. Miles of pristine coastline and quaint seaside towns are toxed with the stain of No Cal, so sadly, I avoid them. The bitterest of the ongoing border skirmish is No Cal / So Cal. They (a city by a bay) are in complete denial that they want to be like So Cal, as they follow our most every move - theater, cuisine, finance, culture. They are our second city. We essentially ignore OCal around here, but No Cal falls into your basic and active loathe. It may be hard to get into that groove, but if you plan on stayng awhile in So Cal, you should adapt and learn to hate them.
OK - back to Diving. I work in LB. I live in Marina Del Rey. LB is one of the largest land masses in the state, and may geographically, be the largest proper city in the country. LB stretches amazingly from the 710 on the north, to the 605 on the south, from the beach on the west, to the 91 inland....its simply HUGE. Lots to do, LB is becoming a great, great city.
We could spend weeks going over the good shops / lame shops and the debate could rage over the best dive spots, dive boats and beach dives (Sandeaters that KM provided is a good lead for that) and best post dive hangs. PLus we have the whole channel islands thing going on in So Cal, and you have the wrecks in Low Cal, etc, etc.... Its endless - the diving here is just great.
PM me anytime and we'll talk about the places to go and stuff to do.
Welcome to So Cal.
K
