SoCal Dive Safari - San Diego to Big Sur Info Req.

[ICY ICE]

My mom is in town from South Africa and I'm planning a road trip up the PCH from San Diego to Big Sur in Monterey. Killing two birds with one stone, I would like to do two shore dives a day, in different locations along the coast. Can anyone give me some ideas of dive locations and descriptions. I intent to rent a SUV and drive up. Leaving 11/18 (three days up), and returning on 11/21 (one day back).

You have to take mom to the Hearst Castle! Get your tickets in advance or prepare to wait 4+ hrs .

www.hearstcastle.org

Does she like wine? You can also go East on Hwy 46 into Paso Robles...great tasting. Or, continue south on PCH to SLO and Santa Barbara...saturated with vineyards.

Way to go Roy, wish I can join you on your dives.

 

[ShakaZulu]

You have to take mom to the Hearst Castle! Get your tickets in advance or prepare to wait 4+ hrs .

www.hearstcastle.org

Does she like wine? You can also go East on Hwy 46 into Paso Robles...great tasting. Or, continue south on PCH to SLO and Santa Barbara...saturated with vineyards.

Way to go Roy, wish I can join you on your dives.

Thanks for the 411, I like wine, but I have to drive............will never get to Monterey, when I start drinking.

 

[ICY ICE]

Thanks for the 411, I like wine, but I have to drive............will never get to Monterey, when I start drinking.

Hey!, the wine tasting is for MOM not you, like you said your diving I mean driving.

Just don't get her too , enjoy your trip.

 

[Diver_Jan]

Greetings,

When I was camping in San Simeon over Labor Day weekend, my friends and I dove Morrow Bay that was quite interesting. Lots of Lingcod, decorator crabs, nudis, a small wreck and sea otters on the surface. Just north of San Simeon about 45 minutes or so, we dove Jade Cove. This spot is NOT for beginners or the weak. You have to climb down a very steep cliff and path (barely there). You can't have a weak stomach either, for the beach is covered in kelp and flying insects. If you can make it to the waters edge, you litterally glide right in over the kelp. It's a pretty tough kelp crawl out. The kelp heads are as large as softballs. Once out to the second rock, drop down and you will see the wall of jade. It's pretty awesome. With some luck, you might find some pieces. My friend found a piece that is about 4 pounds. Most find only small stones. If you have a UW camera, take it, for the marine life in this area is so beautiful!!! I saw all kinds of nudi's, stars, and fish that I don't see down here in So Cal.

I hope you have fun. You are doing a trip that I would love to do myself some day.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Shaka,

If you end up diving Point Dune, double check the conditions, and talk to the lifeguard about the current strength. If the current is too strong you won't be able to get back to the beach since you have to swim AGAINST the current on your way back.. It's an awsome dive, but it can be dangerous. You can exit around the point but have a climb with your gear to return to the beach. Also take note of the cliffs above you as you swim out. We saw several climbers going up the rocks as we swam out. It's a beautiful spot, above and below the water!

 

[pasley]

Monastery Beach - Never had the pleasure of diving it in my dives up that way. Check NoCAl forum for a local to go with you. A real must particularly for Monastery. They had an octopus there with 8ft arms a year or two ago. Recommended exit is on hands and knees, known as the monastery crawl. Do not attempt to walk out. Divers have been killed trying to do so. Enter from the sides not the end of the cove. Lovers cove is a nice dive. So is the breakwater. Vis can be rather limited. Water temps in the summer are often in the low 50's. You may expect colder water temps there.

Must do's on the way. I take my steak very seriously. One of, it not the finest steaks you will ever eat is available in two (maybe three) locations on your way. In Buellton (3 miles from Solvang) is AJ Spurs on the road to Solvang just about 1/4 mile from the freeway. In Templeton, 10 miles south of Paso Robles AJ Spurs (again). It is a small town and it takes up most of one (of two) city blocks so you can't miss it. Dinner: $17.95 includes: soup(fabulous), fried potatoes and onions, rice pilaf, salad, steak, liquor or root beer float. If you are there between 5:00 pm. and 6:00 pm. the steak is only $11.95 or you can score a filet mignon for $13.00 and it is melted butter in the mouth. They also have one outside Monterey someplace. We are talking I drive up from Long Beach to Buellton to get a steak there. In Carpentaria (just south of Santa Barbara about 15 miles) is Clementine’s on lemon I believe, just down the road form Best Western. They open at 5:00 pm. and their meals run about $20.00 person which includes pie baked onsite. A very good steak (but not quite AJ Spurs) in a nice atmosphere.

In Monterey don't forget to do the 17 mile drive through the giant redwood forrest and Spyglass and Pebble Beach Golf Course. It is spectacular. Heck the drive up PCH is great the whole way. If you go to to Point Lobos, you need a reservation and your dive partner must enter the park with you.

Links I find of value when I go up that way diving:
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/scuba/scuba.shtml
http://www.cypresscharters.com/
http://www.montereyexpress.com/
http://www.mantaraydive.com/
http://cdip.ucsd.edu/models/monterey.gif
http://www.garlic.com/~triblet/swell/wamglance.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ba_diving/

Point Dume - Great dive. There is a nice deep dive to the canyon just a short distance off the beach and the Pinnacles of course are great. http://www.geocities.com/sandeaters/sites/pd.htm hs all you need to know about the site. If there is somthing you need to know more than what is on this page about Point Dume, please let me know. I might could be arm twisted to going on this dive with you.

Have fun.
Wish I could go all the way with you to Monterey (is there room in the car?).

 

[nilsdiver]

Thousand steps - Shell beach:
This is a pretty good site in Shell Beach just south of San Luis Obispo. Vis is 5 feet to 25 feet. Best chance is to hit is at high tide with calm waters, otherwise it may not be worth it. Swim out from the stairs to the kelp for the best diving - about 200 yards. I have never been deeper than 25 feet at this site.

http://www.californiacoastline.org/...00403918&mode=sequential&flags=0&year=current

 

[mech]

I might be diving Monastary that day with just my daughter.
That kid takes to water like a seal.
One thing you might consider is to spend some time at the beach and watch the divers.
You might see the good ,bad and the ugly.
One thing about that location is the way the coarse sand will disapears from benieth you feet as the water rushes back.
That is just one of the ways to get knocked on your *** and then there is the waves.
One thing to pay attention to is which techniques work and which don't.
You will notice all sorts of things like people surveying tha area prior to the dive and the importance of wave timing in this particular location.
Lots will just pass on it with good justification if it just doesn't seem right.
I might recommend a snorkle trip (on a decent day)as one of the best ways to get a feel of the area prior to any geared up first dive.
Be very picky on your buddy selection and do a good pre dive briefing.
Good luck to ya.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Thanks for all the information, you guys rock. I'm getting excited about this trip, want to go right now.

 

[jetfixer]

Shaka, If you time it right and are going to tour Hearst Castle, try to make the evening tour. They have people dressed in the period hanging around the house. very cool.