SoCal roadtrip

[webjr]

We are planning a long road trip to the San Diego area for a week of shore diving and maybe a boat trip or 2. We're driving because we want to spend some time around Grand Canyon also. We're looking at either the 2nd or last week of June. I could use some recommendations from some locals... There's so many sites and so little time! I've read alot on this forum and read alot here..
Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: California South, USA West
So much I've entered sensory overload! So what are your top 2 or 3 sites?
For a day boat trip, what do y'all think about Coronado Islands or the Yukon?
We are both experienced divers, but this will be our first time diving dry in saltwater so we're looking for easier locations to start with. All our drysuit experience has been in the local lakes. No current, no waves and NO vis.... I am looking forward to diving dry AND actualy being able to read my gauges! I got lots of good info from the stickies.. but any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Hmm. Some of my favorite sites in/around San Diego are:

1. Scripps Canyon
2. Point Loma Kelp beds (lots of individual sites; some good ones = Train Wheels, Lazy Daze, 3 Fingers, Ancient Sea Cliffs)
3. USS Hogan
4. La Jolla Cove (on a good vis day)
5. La Jolla Shores (because it's so darn convenient)

I'm not a big fan of the Coronados Islands. I'd rather have the boat stop at the Hogan wreck and then do the second dive on the way back somewhere in the Point Loma Kelp beds. That's just my preference, though.

The Yukon is nice. I don't do wreck penetrations, but there's a great deal to check out on the outside. All of the local charters do frequent outings to Wreck Alley.

The three boats to check out are: the Marissa, the Lois Ann, and the Humboldt.

If you haven't used your drysuit in the ocean yet, I highly recommend doing a couple of check-out dives at La Jolla Shores. Lots of students get trained there on account of the benign conditions. You'll get your first experience of surf entry, too. There's a gently sloping sandy bottom stretching westward until a small 5-10 ft. wall (known as the "Main Wall") drops off at approx. 50 fsw. It's an ideal place to get your feet wet.

You might want to join the Divebums.com email list-serv and read some of the dive reports submitted by local divers. You can post to the list and ask for a local dive buddy once you nail down the time you'll be in the San Diego area.

Alternatively, you could hire a DM at OEX to give you a tour of the canyon at La Jolla Shores/Marine Room.

A side trip that you might want to consider is Catalina Island. The Dana Point Ferry Landing is only a little over one hour's drive from San Diego (without traffic). The Casino Point UW Park in Avalon is a great place to spend a weekend. If you haven't dived in kelp before, you're in for a treat.

P.S. I realize that you already know this...but don't forget to bring 6-8 extra lbs. of lead to account for the buoyancy difference between fresh and saltwater.

 

[webjr]

Thanks for the tips! I've moved La Jolla shores and cove to the top of my short list. Thanks!

 

[iggy23]

Head upto LA and dive Catalina or the Channel Islands.

 

[fnfalman]

If you want to go to the Coronados, then check out the Horizon dive boat. Big boat, lots of room, first rate service, Nitrox.

I love diving the Channel Islands, and I suppose the Coronados is part of the Channel Island chain. Anyway, these Channel Islands all are different from each other in subtle ways.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

If you want to go to the Coronados, then check out the Horizon dive boat. Big boat, lots of room, first rate service, Nitrox.

I love diving the Channel Islands, and I suppose the Coronados is part of the Channel Island chain. Anyway, these Channel Islands all are different from each other in subtle ways.

@fnfalman: FYI, the Coronados Islands are located in Mexican waters and are not part of the Channel Islands. The Channel Islands are much farther north.

One of the reasons I don't like the Coronados Islands is that many of the sites are largely devoid of fish (due to unsustainable fishing practices?). I recall seeing urchins and brittle stars...as far as the eye could see. There are some playful sea lions in some area which can break up the monotony, though.

I'd take diving at the Channel Islands over the Coronados Islands any day. There's no comparison IMO. I think the Coronados Islands are a "popular" destination for San Diego dive boats because there are several sites appropriate for basic OW students doing their check-out dives (shallow enough with no dangerous drop-offs). Unfortunately, it's a long ride out there and the large, slow-moving flies get really annoying!

 

[fnfalman]

@fnfalman: FYI, the Coronados Islands are located in Mexican waters and are not part of the Channel Islands. The Channel Islands are much farther north.

One of the reasons I don't like the Coronados Islands is that many of the sites are largely devoid of fish (due to unsustainable fishing practices?). I recall seeing urchins and brittle stars...as far as the eye could see. There are some playful sea lions in some area which can break up the monotony, though.

I'd take diving at the Channel Islands over the Coronados Islands any day. There's no comparison IMO. I think the Coronados Islands are a "popular" destination for San Diego dive boats because there are several sites appropriate for basic OW students doing their check-out dives (shallow enough with no dangerous drop-offs). Unfortunately, it's a long ride out there and the large, slow-moving flies get really annoying!

I saw plenty of fish, some of them I have yet to see at the proper Channel Islands. I didn't see any giant kelp at all, so I thought that was weird.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I saw plenty of fish, some of them I have yet to see at the proper Channel Islands. I didn't see any giant kelp at all, so I thought that was weird.

Well, what eats giant kelp?
Not so surprising considering what's there.

I'll have to check my dive log to see which Coronados sites we visited. Perhaps we went to all of the "wrong ones." Maybe I shouldn't be so down on the Coronados. I guess I had some expectations for my dives there...and the dives fell short of those expectations.