I am a local here in southern california and will re-affirm the good reputation of boats:
Peace-docked in Ventura, serving the Channel Islands and other destinations off So. Cal.
Truth Aquatics-docked in Santa Barbara, serving the Channel Islands and other destinations off So. Cal.
Both these operations are the best I have experienced in So. Cal. Captains and crew are among the most accommodating and ready to provide a good experience for their divers. I dive solo with both of these operations. They are always open to listen to and give feedback regarding your needs from simple to complex. The only problem people may have is the boats move around from site to site a lot. The gates to jump in will usually be open for 1 to 1.5 hours and not remain open for several hours at a time. They do check every diver's return every couple hours to make sure you are OK and accounted for. After that, they pull anchor and cruise for 10-30 minutes to another location.
Diving here is cold (~50-78 F depending upon the season and the year) so please be prepared and call to ask questions before booking your trips. Conditions will vary but diving can be done at any time of year (generally operations get slower from Thanksgiving to after Christmas).
One last bit of caution:
Some trips are booked by certain clubs or shops (instead of "open boat" bookings) so the dive master of the group may have special restrictions to impose on the rest of the divers whether or not the boat operators allow solo diving. After all, you booked as a tag-a-long on their trip so you must abide by their "rules". I booked a trip through a shop that imposed "no solo diving" under any circumstances. The DM was actually not a reasonable and person but I was on their trip so I had to owe their rules the courtesy. If you book any trip, make sure you find out what restrictions the booking shop, group or boat will have on that particular trip.
