Need info regarding California dive trip

[Jcarver]

We are planning to travel in California next spring; working our way up the coast from LA to the Redwood Forest. We will only have 1 day to dive. Looking for info regarding sites and shops. If you only get two dives sites what would they be?
Thanks!

 

[DaleSheckler]

Dive #1 — Catalina Island. Either head out on one of several dive charter boats out of San Pedro/Long Beach or on the Catalina Express and dive the Avalon Underwater Park at Casino Point. A good mainland beach diving option is Laguna Beach but diving here is subject to weather conditions. Dive #2 — Monterey. Beach diving there is excellent but is subject to weather. Check with a local dive shop when you arrive. Beach dive or perhaps you can get aboard one of their local charter boats.

We are planning to travel in California next spring; working our way up the coast from LA to the Redwood Forest. We will only have 1 day to dive. Looking for info regarding sites and shops. If you only get two dives sites what would they be?
Thanks!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Dedicate a couple days of your trip to checking out Catalina Island. Take a ferry across and spend the night. Dive the Casino Point Underwater Park. It's very accessible shore diving. You can rent equipment there and hire a local DM, if you like.

It's certainly possible to travel across by ferry to Catalina, do a couple of dives, and then return to the mainland, but it makes for a really long day.
If you only have one day, it might be better just to do some dives off of a dive boat that leaves from/returns to the mainland. Non-divers in your travel party can amuse themselves in LA doing any number of things.

 

[Thiad]

Or, you might want to think about hitting up Anacapa. If you're lucky, you might get a dive or two with sea lions!

 

[jscan1]

California Dive Boats : The Official Page is a good place to start, in San Pedro you can jump on several different boats, Magician goes to Catalina for three tank day dives a lot. Pacific Star is a great boat. Not sure if many run to the oil rigs in summer, but the vis and the growth on the rigs is outstanding! Further up the coast as mentioned check out "The Peace" a day trip to Anacapa would be a great choice!

 

[Scubagolf]

+1 for Catalina. Spring diving in California will have pretty cold water temps so be informed about that. I think mid-to-upper 50s at Catalina, and 50-52 degrees in Monterey where conditions can be "iffy."