San Francisco Diving

[H2Andy]

my wife (non-diver) and I might be in San Francisco for a few days next
summer (2006), and i was wondering what sort of shore dives are nearby,
or any shops that you guys would reccomend that put together day trips.

so far, i've looked at these sites:

http://shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalN/index.htm


any help to get me hooked up with a good dive boat would be appreciated

 

[mossym]

most divers in SF head for Monterey, about a 2 hour run i'm guessing from San Fran.

In Monterey, i like the Escapade(www.divecentral.com), always enjoyed diving with them. Pt Lobos is great shore diving, but you need reservations, which you can make 2 months in advance..be warned, summer is the coldest water here..usually low 50's, sometimes in the 40's...

 

[dsafanda]

I'm sure it sounds strange and slightly unbelievable that there is no good shore diving around SF which is practically surrounded by water. I'm no expert but that does seem to be the consensus as far as I can tell. Like many people in the Bay Area I drive 3 hours to the world class diving of Monterey when I want to get wet.


fyi. I remember reading in an issue of Fathoms that a local dive shope used to run trips from SF to the Farallons. I think this was back in the 60s or 70s and before some unfortunate incidents made it apparent that it was also one of the best places in the world to encounter hunting white sharks.

 

[Wristshot]

Consider me the third Local telling you that "no one dives in SF, everyone goes to Monterey".

I am sure there are some that dive in the SF Bay, but I have never met any or heard of any.

Monterey Bay is a couple hours away, but well worth the trip. If you were to do a search on ScubaBoard you would find that most people that visit and dive rant and rave about the diving in Monterey. I have heard that it has the second highest "density of life" in the world. (and believe me, I work with some dense people!)

If you plan a little ahead, you would probably get a number of locals that would love to dive and dine with you. Of course you might want to avoid some of them, who knows.

Keep us posted!


Wristshot

 

[H2Andy]

thanks guys... sounds like Monterrey it is

i'll definetely would love to get together with any interested locals, and
will give more details as the time nears!

 

[humanFish]

Monterey has more diver support than most sites north of the golden gate. In Monterey there are plenty of dive shops for rentals and fills. When you go up North you need to be more or less self sufficient, although it is quite beautiful and there is a lot of camping and good diving....and abalone diving.

as for monterey...it's a protected bay so there is usually good shore diving. Lover's point is a good spot...macabee beach, san carlos beach, and the breakwater are also popular...the latter especially with classes so it can be crowded. Monastery is great on calm days only. I went out on the Cypress a couple weeks ago for a 3 tank trip and had a blast....shore diving is fun but you see more stuff off the boats.

 

[H2Andy]

oh... thought of something else

i have a drysuit that i am going to bring with me, with nice thick undies
i also have a DUI hood

i assume i am going to need gloves of some sort? any reccomendations?

 

[Wristshot]

Andy,

I use 5mm gloves but I dive wet. I used to use a pair of Mares gloves, but changed over the the Henderson Gold Core gloves as they are easier to doff and don. If you were getting wet gloves, I would recommend the Hendersons, but I have limited experience.

Wristshot

 

[renpirate]

There is some nice shore diving along the North Coast. It's about two hours to the North of San Francisco. I would be happy to take you to some of the sites.

Monterey is great and offers the only charter boats. A definite must do area if you get the chance.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Don't forget your winter coat.