Worth diving if driving from LA to SF?

[qwimjim]

We're heading to Hawaii at the start of May for a month between the big island and Kauai, will be doing about 7 days worth of diving while there. On the way home we scheduled a two week layover in LA the first two weeks of June so we're thinking of spending a couple of days in LA and driving up through Big Sur to San Francisco, to Yosemite, to Redwoods, possibly Death Valley and back to LA before flying home back East.

Every now and then I've seen some photos of California diving, sea lions, kelp forests, and it seems really cool. Is it worth making a point of diving during our two weeks if we've just come from Hawaii? I wouldn't want to bother for mediocre diving or end my diving on an anti climactic low note

If it -is- worth it, any advice would be greatly appreciated ie. what dives to do, where to do them, what we can expect (topgraphy, visibility, temperature, sea life). Thanks!

 

[geoff w]

After a month in Hawaii, California diving will seem really cold! California diving is totally different than Hawaii diving, less color in the sea life and not the typical Hawaii visibility, but it's spectacular in different ways. Kelp forests are magical, you will probably be closer to most fish you see here than in Hawaii, and chances of interacting with a sea lion up close is much greater than with any of the Hawaii marine mammals. I always look forward to diving at home after spending time in Hawaii, but for many California diving is an acquired taste

California dive operators are very different than in Hawaii. Hawaii very much caters to vacation divers, they set everything up for you, in many cases provide all the gear if you didn't bring yours, and all boat dives are guided. Here you are expected to have all your own gear, including tanks and weights, set it up, plan and execute the dive yourself, then take everything home with you. Typical Hawaii boat dive is a two tank morning dive before the tradewinds kick in; here boat dive trips can be two, three or four dives, depending on the spot, conditions and whether it's a full or partial day.

It's probably a bit easier to hook up with local divers on the weekend in California if you're looking to do a one tank shore dive than in Hawaii

Just so you know, in many spots the kelp forests are gone now because water here has been warmer than typical, although there are still plenty of spots with healthy kelp forests. And in many spots in both Hawaii and California, you need to pay attention to altitude following your dive (especially on the Big Island)!

 

[qwimjim]

After a month in Hawaii, California diving will seem really cold! California diving is totally different than Hawaii diving, less color in the sea life and not the typical Hawaii visibility, but it's spectacular in different ways. Kelp forests are magical, you will probably be closer to most fish you see here than in Hawaii, and chances of interacting with a sea lion up close is much greater than with any of the Hawaii marine mammals. I always look forward to diving at home after spending time in Hawaii, but for many California diving is an acquired taste

California dive operators are very different than in Hawaii. Hawaii very much caters to vacation divers, they set everything up for you, in many cases provide all the gear if you didn't bring yours, and all boat dives are guided. Here you are expected to have all your own gear, including tanks and weights, set it up, plan and execute the dive yourself, then take everything home with you. Typical Hawaii boat dive is a two tank morning dive before the tradewinds kick in; here boat dive trips can be two, three or four dives, depending on the spot, conditions and whether it's a full or partial day.

It's probably a bit easier to hook up with local divers on the weekend in California if you're looking to do a one tank shore dive than in Hawaii

Just so you know, in many spots the kelp forests are gone now because water here has been warmer than typical, although there are still plenty of spots with healthy kelp forests. And in many spots in both Hawaii and California, you need to pay attention to altitude following your dive (especially on the Big Island)!

thanks, i don't mind cold, i'm used to diving in eastern canada it's not drysuit cold is it? i don't have my own gear, always rent, is there anywhere you know of where i can go on a 2-3 dive boat with gear and DM? is there literally no dive shop that provides this?

also what sites would you recommend for kelp forest and sea lions (could be separate dives, although ideally would like to do in same day). thanks!

 

[TSandM]

If you are going to spend some time in LA, take at least a day to take a dive boat out to the Channel Islands. I disagree that there is less color there than in Hawaii; the color can be spectacular, depending on the site. You will have kelp and garibaldis and usually nudibranchs and lobsters and sea lions . . . it's just fantastic. However, as stated, there will be no DM in the water with the divers. The dive is briefed and you get in and do it on your own.

SoCal summer temperatures can be in the mid 60's, and people do dive wet. There can be quite a thermocline, though! We did a dive once where the surface was almost 70, and at 100 feet, we went through a thermocline down to 43.

On your way north, Monterey is stunning. It's worth stopping there just to enjoy the scenery and the ambience and amenities (wineries, restaurants, hiking). But Pt. Lobos State Park is fabulous, with great topography and tons of marine life. It's shore diving, and the entry is usually easy, but for the best experience, you'd probably be best off either scaring up some local divers to dive with, or hiring a DM to help with the navigation.

I love California diving. I think it would be worth it, especially if you are accustomed to cold water.

 

[elgoog]

All info below is for Monterey diving.

it's not drysuit cold is it?

It can be, even in May. Check out the "Monterey conditions (let's keep it going)" thread in the NorCal subforum to get an idea of what water temps in May look like - that thread's been going for over 3 years.

i don't have my own gear, always rent, is there anywhere you know of where i can go on a 2-3 dive boat with gear and DM? is there literally no dive shop that provides this?

Most dive boats provide tanks and weights for the dives (usually 2, sometimes 3). You can easily rent from an LDS the morning of your dive, have enough time to drive to the dock, do your boat dives and return your rental gear the same day (the only time this may not work is if you go on an afternoon dive charter - the boat returns after most LDS close and you will have to return the gear the next day). They all will do full wetsuit and drysuit packages. Call at least 4-5 days ahead of time if you're going on a weekend. Drysuit rental requires a C-card for drysuit training, Monterey stores are pretty strict about that.
The only boat I'm aware of that has gear available for rent on the boat itself is the Silver Prince. The rental rates are higher than the LDS but the convenience may be worth it for you. These are the big 4 dive boat operators in Monterey - Monterey SCUBA Diving Charter Boats
On all boats, you can hire a DM to go with you on the dive. This is an extra charge but you will get a personal dive guide - this can be pretty good to have if you're not familiar with the area.

If you can plan it out ahead of time, also look into diving at Pt Lobos. It's a little south of Monterey and all shore diving but it's well worth it.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I've been to Hawaii three times. I prefer our "drab" marine life in California.

 

[qwimjim]

All info below is for Monterey diving.


It can be, even in May. Check out the "Monterey conditions (let's keep it going)" thread in the NorCal subforum to get an idea of what water temps in May look like - that thread's been going for over 3 years.


Most dive boats provide tanks and weights for the dives (usually 2, sometimes 3). You can easily rent from an LDS the morning of your dive, have enough time to drive to the dock, do your boat dives and return your rental gear the same day (the only time this may not work is if you go on an afternoon dive charter - the boat returns after most LDS close and you will have to return the gear the next day). They all will do full wetsuit and drysuit packages. Call at least 4-5 days ahead of time if you're going on a weekend. Drysuit rental requires a C-card for drysuit training, Monterey stores are pretty strict about that.
The only boat I'm aware of that has gear available for rent on the boat itself is the Silver Prince. The rental rates are higher than the LDS but the convenience may be worth it for you. These are the big 4 dive boat operators in Monterey - Monterey SCUBA Diving Charter Boats
On all boats, you can hire a DM to go with you on the dive. This is an extra charge but you will get a personal dive guide - this can be pretty good to have if you're not familiar with the area.

If you can plan it out ahead of time, also look into diving at Pt Lobos. It's a little south of Monterey and all shore diving but it's well worth it.

Oh well that's fine, as long as there's somewhere to rent gear that's relatively near the dive sites or boat dock. But I will check out Silver Prince. We have no experience with drysuit so I was hoping doubled 7mm wetsuit would be enough, we'd be there first week of June.

I think for us it will be worth spending the money for a DM, we'll only have a day or two to dive, might as well make the most of it. So is Pt. Lobos the place to go, we're looking for kelp forest and sea lions, and as good visibility as possible, anything else is bonus

Thanks

---------- Post added April 14th, 2015 at 08:18 PM ----------

If you are going to spend some time in LA, take at least a day to take a dive boat out to the Channel Islands. I disagree that there is less color there than in Hawaii; the color can be spectacular, depending on the site. You will have kelp and garibaldis and usually nudibranchs and lobsters and sea lions . . . it's just fantastic. However, as stated, there will be no DM in the water with the divers. The dive is briefed and you get in and do it on your own.

SoCal summer temperatures can be in the mid 60's, and people do dive wet. There can be quite a thermocline, though! We did a dive once where the surface was almost 70, and at 100 feet, we went through a thermocline down to 43.

On your way north, Monterey is stunning. It's worth stopping there just to enjoy the scenery and the ambience and amenities (wineries, restaurants, hiking). But Pt. Lobos State Park is fabulous, with great topography and tons of marine life. It's shore diving, and the entry is usually easy, but for the best experience, you'd probably be best off either scaring up some local divers to dive with, or hiring a DM to help with the navigation.

I love California diving. I think it would be worth it, especially if you are accustomed to cold water.

Thanks! A few questions if you don't mind, or anyone feel free to answer:

A Channel islands day in addition to Pt. Lobos day?
If we only have one day for 2-3 dives which would you recommend?
Is the marine life/topography fairly different between the two?
Which would most likely satisfy our kelp forest and sea lions hopes first week of June?
Is it a crap shoot to see sea lions or are they pretty much guaranteed?
Is there a season for them?
Re: channel islands, if we make it out there is there a particular island or dive site(s) that are generally regarded as the best?
And finally, is there any point to hiring a boat for Pt. Lobos? Is Pt. Lobos a general area with lots of dive sites or a specific dive site that is always a shore dive?

Thanks!

 

[Bob DBF]

I'd see about a day boat out of Ventura or Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands, even if the weather is up a bit they can still get in the lee of an island and have a good dive.

Point Lobos is a specific dive site and uses reservations to limit divers and boats, and you can get blown out. There are boats out of Monteray to the sea side but there is no protection if the weather comes up, and I'm not fond of bay diving which is the alternative.

If I came in and had one day, I would try to get a day trip on the Peace out of Ventura. But that's just me.



Bob

 

[geoff w]

Oh well that's fine, as long as there's somewhere to rent gear that's relatively near the dive sites or boat dock. But I will check out Silver Prince. We have no experience with drysuit so I was hoping doubled 7mm wetsuit would be enough, we'd be there first week of June.

I think for us it will be worth spending the money for a DM, we'll only have a day or two to dive, might as well make the most of it. So is Pt. Lobos the place to go, we're looking for kelp forest and sea lions, and as good visibility as possible, anything else is bonus

Thanks

---------- Post added April 14th, 2015 at 08:18 PM ----------



Thanks! A few questions if you don't mind, or anyone feel free to answer:

A Channel islands day in addition to Pt. Lobos day?
If we only have one day for 2-3 dives which would you recommend?
Is the marine life/topography fairly different between the two?
Which would most likely satisfy our kelp forest and sea lions hopes first week of June?
Is it a crap shoot to see sea lions or are they pretty much guaranteed?
Is there a season for them?
Re: channel islands, if we make it out there is there a particular island or dive site(s) that are generally regarded as the best?
And finally, is there any point to hiring a boat for Pt. Lobos? Is Pt. Lobos a general area with lots of dive sites or a specific dive site that is always a shore dive?

Thanks!

There are lots of places to rent gear in So Cal, some near the boats and others not so. It depends on the site. And some boats will rent gear as long as you coordinate with them in advance. If you don't easily get cold, a 7mm with hooded vest and gloves should be OK, and a number of Channel Islands boats have hot tubs. Water temperature in So Cal will probably be mid-50s to low-60s, depending on the spot, wind, currents, etc. The Peace dive boat is great, and so is the Spectre. Trip schedules are on their web sites, and California Dive Boats : The Official Page lists most boats. You can hire a DM as a guide for a lot of boats either through the boat or a local dive shop

California fish are colorful, but if you're expecting everything to be bright tropical colors like Hawaii you won't be satisfied. Garibaldi are brilliant, but you won't typically get the 100+ ft visibility here, so colors might be a little more muted than in some of the pictures above, and a number of the above images are macro shots. Diving in the kelp is magical too, and the light coming through the kelp is spectacular, but again, visibility is variable depending on the conditions.

Anacapa is the closest Channel Island and often has sea lions and kelp, but it depends on where the boat goes based on weather, swell, winds, etc. There is no guarantee of seeing sea lions, just like on the Big Island they don't guarantee manta rays will appear for the nighttime manta ray dives. There's a big sea lion rookery on Santa Barbara Island too, but it's a longer trip and the boat usually leaves around midnight. Each of the Channel Islands is different, as are many shore dive spots, and you never know what you're going to see

Catalina is totally different too. The park in Avalon is a great way to get introduced to So Cal diving, although all the kelp is gone now. Besides the diving, there's a lot to do in Avalon. The mainland diveboats to Catalina don't go to Avalon, just out and back. Time and distance to dive sites in So Cal is typically a bit longer than what you'll get in Hawaii

Some friends are talking about diving Point Lobos this summer. You need to make reservations for shore diving there - Fantastic Diving | Point Lobos Foundation

If you're around Monterey at the end of May, DUI has their demo tour that weekend and you can try drysuit diving - DUI DEMOTOUR Monterey, CA - DUI Online - drysuits

 

[TSandM]

If you only have one day, I'd say Channel Islands. The recommendation for the Peace is spot on; it's a fantastic boat with an excellent crew. But if you aren't up in the Ventura area, or don't want to drive, there are boats that go out of the San Pablo harbor. (I believe that's where the Spectre is moored, but I could be wrong.).

The Channel Islands are in a warmer current than Monterey. Monterey has granite pinnacles covered with bright pink corynactis anemones, and California hydrocoral in many pastel shades. You can find that kind of life on San Miguel, which is the westernmost of the typically dived Channel Islands, but nobody goes to San Miguel for a day trip, because it's too far.

Anacapa is where the sea lion rookery is. Whether you get to dive it depends on wind and water conditions. I don't know if the juvenile sea lion population is seasonal or not. I don't live in SoCal -- I've just been fortunate enough to make a handful of trips down there to dive.