Calf Channel Is diving is cool. Kelp diving can be fascinating, and you'll see life there that you won't see anywhere else. I've tried it once each on a Long Island day charter, a Catalina based day charter on two day trips, and a 3 dive day Liveaboard. All were great, but I prefer the liveaboad.
Driving to the west coast from Albuquerque or Denver would be a bit much, tho - even worse from West Texas. In addition to the gas costs, come on - figure tires, transmission servicing, oil serving, extra mileage on the odometer, wear and tear, and you're talking 40-50c a mile each way just for a car with two divers. From Albuquerque to Long Beach, 1600 miles round trip, $700-800 RT and you're exhausted
if you're lucky enough to not get snowed in at Flagstaff plus an overnight stop each way. Alternately, do that trip in a rental car when you have time to visit the parks, monuments, Anazasi sites, and the Canyon - done it, loved it, would do it again. But for a dive trip, Frontier Air from ABQ for $208 RT, Supper Shuttle, board the boat for an night departure to a morning dive site, after 3 days of diving - one night hotel off gassing before flying back.
You do commonly have to arrange tank and weight rentals even for a live-aboard, and nitrox was not common last time I was out there, but I had no problems with either. I wore a 3 mil shorty over a 3 mil long the first time, but the 7 mil long I have now is better. Pour warm water inside between dives. Used the same in colder Puget Sound with heavy beanie, heavy booties, heavy gloves, but have since added neoprene socks - would add an even heavier hood.
I'd certainly be interested if you can get a good weekend trip in October, or next spring - and I promise to behave myself.
