San Diego/Tijuana in September?

[luckiePenguin]

Greetings all! Looking for some advice to see if a quick dive is worth pursuing. I'll be in Baja on a whale shark project in early September, and then I have 2 days in San Diego before flying back to Chicago.

What's diving in September like around San Diego (or Tijuana, for that matter)—any good spots to know about or operators you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance!
Amy

 

[Sam Miller III]

Since you have not identified your Baja destination for whales I can only assume three places; Bahia de Los Angeles, Bahia de Magdalena or Scammon's Lagoon all known as destinations for whales.

Bahia will be hot as HellQ as will be the water - but it is a known dive location however you will need access to a boat - The inventor of the American single hose regulator the late Sam "The Crook" Le Cocq had a home in Bahia ..7th-big white house south of town

Mag Bay will be cold but has a number of shallow sites available from shore

Scammons is very dirty but loaded with whales- no diving. But they have Pismo Clams -- prepared like Buba Gump, ever way possible. Sells every where on beach used for siode walks and home decoration-- grab some big one as souvenirs

Tijuana avoid like a horrible plague ..do not stop do not pass go -- it is a human cess pool. (but I forgot you live in Chicago)

San Diego is the spot - one of the spots were recreational diving began-- A la Jolla Cove so many moons ago...visit and take pictures - if possible check the 1949 edition of Nat Geo about the Bottom Scratcher Spear Fishing club ...Also read Jim Stewarts bio in Passings on this board - he was the last surviving member of the BS.

I live 400 miles north of SD so suggest that SD member provide your guide for diving

Study hard, the world will soon need educated and dedicated people like you

SAM

 

[mdb]

Echo Dr. Miller-San Diego the place to go.

Early fall diving usually very nice.

The obvious places for shore diving: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla shores, and a sweet spot just off the Wind and Sea Beach.

Just head down Bon Air Street, go down the stairs, head a little bit right and swim offshore about 100 meters to a small reef, usually known only to locals, lots of nice kelp and good critters abound.

Of course boat diving off the SD coast is also great. Local dive stores and clubs can help out there.

 

[luckiePenguin]

Thanks, Sam!
My apologies for not providing specifics—yes, Bahia de Los Angeles, it's a citizen science project with Vermilion Sea Institute on photographing & identifying individuals. So grateful for this opportunity, it came about quite suddenly.

Much appreciated for the advice—although I'm adventurous, I'd rather stick to SD. Was reading up on La Jolla but figured this community would be best source of info!

. . . and yes, despite access to a beautiful lake, I avoid any water/beaches south of WI. The sunrises are enough for me.

 

[diversteve]

The Cove itself is also really good diving just really crowded (parking) most days after 8-9am - earlier on weekends. The Shores is not as great but part of the Scripps Canyon runs thru it so there's some big stuff seen in there occasionally. divebums.com has all your options. They haven't updated the shop list recently - all 4 Sport Chalet's closed last year.

For boat dives, Point Loma has probably the best Kelp beds currently available - local boats go there weekly. IIRC the bigger boats will already have moved to doing the Guadalupe Shark dives by Sept. so dayboat options based in San Diego are several - they leave from different marinas in Mission Bay and there's lots of nearby hotel options. You could even stay around the airport with a car. Your best choice as far as Sept. availability is probably Lois Ann - they're still diving every day (never on Weds.) then. Humboldt(Waterhouse Charters) will only be weekends then.

Another fun dive is Los Coronados Islands on the border - the boats provide the needed visa for you that morning - just bring the right id. There's a sea lion rookery there that's pretty shallow and a lot of fun. I'm snot sure if the Kelp has ever come back - 25 years ago it was lush but the Mexican govt. allowed their side to be over fished so something that eats Kelp holdfasts took over and it all floated away.

Another option for a dive/buddy is the very active Power Scuba Meet-up group.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Bay of Angels !
My wife and I visited the Bay often and for many years were very active in the community . I do not know if they have the pictures of us still displayed -in in the library, the clinic and yes the police station.

At our own expense we acquired cases Spanish language books, tapes, calculators and movies for the library, a deliberator for the clinic and was first name basis with the Policia ( Good friends to have in Mexico)

The Librarian who's name has been lost with the passage of time- husband also use to have the only "dive shop" in town - some what ill equipped compared to American shops- but has the basic essentials for the traveling diver -- Tee shirts

I would suggest that you also visit the museum - very interesting

Also note the English names among the populace...The bat was settled by about 1/2 dozen Englishmen who jumped ship and settled there-- Daggett is prominent among the locals.

The best diving is south of town -- a number of secluded coves generally full of marine life and sting rays --a place to put the sting ray scuffle in to practice on every dive. RX is soak in very HOT water (the poison in heat liable)

So many memories of the bay--- and Baja!

keep in touch and let us know about your summer adventure

SAM miller,III

 

[charlier]

Bay of Angels !

The best diving is south of town -- a number of secluded coves generally full of marine life and sting rays --a place to put the sting ray scuffle in to practice on every dive. RX is soak in very HOT water (the poison in heat liable)

So many memories of the bay--- and Baja!

keep in touch and let us know about your summer adventure

SAM miller,III

Now this brings back fond memories. My wife and used camp on the beach @Bahía de Los Angeles every year. Once she stepped on a sting ray. Wow, that was painful, but we learned a useful local remedy. As Sam suggests, soaking in very hot water is key. The hot water soaking is followed by drinking a Baja fog, suggested by a local expat doc. A Baja Fog consists of a long neck Pacifico beer with a shot of tequila poured in the empty part of the long neck of the beer bottle. If the pain persists, continue with the hot water treatement and a refreshed Baja fog. You will feel way better after this treatment.

 

[Sam Miller III]

I have been bitten on several occasions by ells and had all too many shark encounters - all with happy endings - I was not bitten.

A sing ray puncture has to be one of the most painful known to man or woman
I have never had an encounter with sting rays but if I did I would certainly insist on a dose or two of Baja Fog as an adjunct RX (and I do not consume alcohol !) But any port in a storm and any RX to relieve the pain

LP NOTE WELL OR AS IN ACCADEMICS NB--You will encounter sting ray in the waters of the "Bay"

SAM

 

[Lorenzoid]

AKA "L.A. Bay." During the time I lived in San Diego, I recall kayak trips from L.A. Bay out to Guardian Angel Island (yeah, yeah, I can speak Spanish, but I am accustomed to the gringo names of these places). I think I have been to the museum Sam mentions--Museo de historia y cultura, if I recall. I wasn't aware there was good diving there. And I certainly wasn't aware there were whale sharks there. Wow! We often speared dinner, though. I do miss kayak camping.

I am so envious! Enjoy L.A. Bay, and do dive in San Diego.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Pocho in Rebel country ! ? Es verdad ?

I began my love affair with Baja during a spear fishing trip in December 1951- The Baja road had been completed to Ensenada where it abruptly stopped a few feet from Hussongs (S) Cantina..(I should probably look up my article on Walter Hussong his dive evolvement in diving and post it)

The water was extremely cold - much colder than SoCal- no diving ! When the wet suits became available in 1954 we dove Ensenada on a regular basis - when the highway was completed we dove the Bay and points south of the Bay

At that time the bay was the turtle harvesting capital of Mexico and possibly the world. The Mexicans would capture then in the Bay and transport then to Ensenada where there was a "Turtle soup factory" across from Gordo's right in the middle of town, This lasted to well into the 1960s early 1970s . Then it ceased and turtles were placed of limits to harvesting.

But in the boonies - food is scarce and the Mexicans continued to harvesting them at great risk. One fisherman in San Lucas cove I knew was caught with a turtle and given a five year sentence, so they do enforce the F&G laws...In US take an Abalone out of season or be over limit and the courts take away your library card for a month....

?Que paso?
SDM