Welcome to Scubaboard and the So Cal Forum! You will find lots of buddies here, as well as through several of the helpful links that members have posted, in which I will add a few more.
But first...as mentioned, join in on the Monthly Wrinkles Day of Diving and Picnicing. The next one will be Saturday, October 14th at Heisler Park right in your own back yard! Sign up on the thread.
As mentioned too, join in with South Coast Divers
http://www.southcoastdivers.com Rich Parker heads this group of dedicated divers that meets every Saturday and Sunday at the Laguna Hills Mall. They welcome all levels. Many people who have met through this group, including myself, have formed many friendships and a great network for buddies.
Another source, is a great diving list
http://mail.ocdiving.com/mailman/listinfo/news_ocdiving.com that is run by Debbie Karimoto (please forgive me Debbie if I have mispelled your name). This is a very informative list with daily dive reports, conditions, DFG regulations, people looking for buddies, ect. It's the members that make the list a great sucess, and the organization, time, and dedication of Debbie to manage the list.
Since you are in Laguna Hills, come and join the fun with South Orange County Dive Club that meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Fudruckers off El Toro Rd. The club has weekly beach dives, montly boat dives, and lots and lots of fun other activities. Check out
http://www.socdc.com
For more fun in LA County, check out
http://www.Reefseekers.com They offer a FREE Beach Diving and Navigation Class and Night Dive monthly; they are the only LDS that posts 'Intended' boat destinations. Many of their customers have become a 'family' of divers.
Also check out:
http://www.Divevets.com This group dives Vets Park every Wednesday night, and like South Coast Divers, welcome all divers to the group.
Good Luck!
PM me if you would like to dive some time, if I'm available, I'll meet you in Laguna. I'm signed up already for the Wrinkles Dive on the 14th.
