New Member, New to California

[susanbernat]

Hi, there!

I am relocating to the West Coast (from Manhattan). Just earned my open water certification on the Kona Coast of the Big Island in Hawaii. In the islands certain divers warned me about the COLD waters of this coast, while at least one other diver suggested that diving here would probably make me a better diver.

I would appreciate comments regarding dive communities and dive conditions along the West Coast, and I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Susan Bernat

 

[yomomma]

ya it can get pretty cold here

 

[dwaters]

Welcome to the 'board and to the "left" coast!!!

Susan, Please feel free to drop on down to your new local dive forum and join in the fun ....
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/socal/ Also, a great group of people to help you get wet in the best cool water diving is ... http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/beach-crabs/
There is nothing better than swimming in the kelp forest here.

 

[CJM]

welcome to SB

 

[muddiver]

There are different locations in California and they all have different diving conditions. San Diego is the southern group and the water is really cold along the La Jolla canyon (includes most of the wrecks off the bay). Laguna beach is the next hot spot and the water is a bit warmer. There are a lot of good beach to dive from along the Laguna coast. Diving sucks between Point Ferman and Laguna. Mostly shallow sand and mucky or hard to get to. Santa Monaca bay (Beach Crabs territory) north has some nice diving up through Ventura. North of that all I know is Montery Bay, Jade Cove by San Simeon, and the Channel Islands are good diving.

Almost forgot about Catalina Island down off of Los Angeles is some of the best diving right after Anacapa Island off Ventura.

 

[divingdesigns.com]

Hi Susan, Welcome to California. Diving in CA, either in NorCal or SoCal is some of the best diving in the world. It should also make you a better diver. I would introduce yourself to your local dive shop. Are you in northern Califnoria? If so, I can recommend a couple. You will definately want to have the right gear ie. a dry suit to make your CA diving more enjoyable.

Have Fun, Nikki

 

[Beachlover]

Hey Susan, welcome to California. We have some awesome dive sites here in so.Cal. Our water temps right now are anywhere from 62-68 degrees on the surface and as cool as 50 at depth. A lot of us dive 7mm wetsuits and others dive with a drysuit.If you don't have any dive buddies here and are looking to meet some, check out the Beach Crabs in the so.Cal forum. Good luck and good diving to you!

 

[drbill]

Susan, don't let the temperatures here get you down. SoCal kelp diving is among the finest in the world, and well worth a little chill now and then. Welcome to the board and to SoCal.

 

[floridanewbe]

welcome aboard

 

[woodsandwatertoo]

Welcome to the Board. Happy Diving.